Micron to Invest $9.6 Billion in Japan for New High-Bandwidth Memory Plant
U.S.-based chipmaker Micron Technology plans to invest 1.5 trillion yen (USD 9.6 billion) to build a new high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chip plant in Japan, aiming to meet the rapidly increasing demand driven by artificial intelligence and data centers, according to a Reuters report.
Japanese daily Nikkei reported that construction is expected to begin next May at Micron’s existing campus in Hiroshima, with production targeted to start in 2028.
According to the report, Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry may provide up to 500 billion yen in support for the project.
Japan has been offering large subsidies to attract foreign investment as part of its broader effort to revive its aging semiconductor industry. Companies such as Micron and Taiwan’s TSMC are being encouraged to expand manufacturing operations in the country. At the same time, the government is funding another large facility to produce advanced logic chips using IBM technology.
Experts say that demand for HBM chips has been rising sharply due to the rapid expansion of generative AI and heavy investment in data centers. With the new plant, Micron stands to reduce its dependence on Taiwan while strengthening its position in the market against competitors like SK Hynix.
DBTech/BMT/OR
