Samsung Electronics to Open Semiconductor R&D Base in Japan

Samsung Electronics will establish a semiconductor research and development (R&D) center in Japan. The move is seen as a strategy to shorten R&D time through close cooperation with Japan’s leading material, parts, and equipment companies.

Samsung Electronics is considering investing 30 billion yen (about 300 billion won) to build a new production line for advanced semiconductor prototypes in Yokohama, Japan, according to Japanese media including the Nikkei on May 14. The line is reportedly scheduled to start operations in 2025.

In March, Samsung Electronics established Device Solutions Research Japan (DSRJ) by consolidating its semiconductor (DS) research facilities scattered around Japan into one place in Yokohama.

Strong support from the Japanese government is also expected for DSRJ. If Samsung Electronics applies to the Japanese government for subsidies for building the R&D line, the Korean chipmaker will be able to receive subsidies of more than 10 billion yen (about 100 billion won or US$74 million), experts forecast.

Earlier, at a joint press conference with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida after the Korea-Japan summit on July 7, President Yoon said, “We agreed to strengthen cooperation in this field so that Korean semiconductor manufacturers and Japanese small and medium-sized enterprises can build a solid semiconductor supply chain together,” suggesting a possible Korea-Japan semiconductor alliance.

Samsung Electronics invests in R&D lines in Japan because Japan has a stable supply chain of semiconductor materials, parts, and equipment. It also has small and medium-sized enterprises with strong source and component technologies.

TSMC opened a post-process R&D center in Tsukuba, Japan in 2022 to collaborate with Japanese companies. The Taiwanese foundry is building a new semiconductor foundry plant in Kumamoto, Japan as well. The Japanese government subsidized 4.6 trillion yen (US$33 billion), half of the cost of TSMC’s plant.