Japan has approved an additional $4 billion in subsidies for chip startup Rapidus Corp., bringing total government support to $16.3 billion by March 2027. The investment is part of a national strategy to strengthen Japan’s position in advanced semiconductor manufacturing and reduce reliance on overseas chip production, particularly from leading global suppliers. Rapidus is aiming to develop and mass-produce cutting-edge 2-nanometer chips by 2027, positioning itself at the forefront of next-generation AI hardware. Its planned foundry in Hokkaido has already received clearance from an external review committee, marking a key milestone in the project’s development timeline. Early partnerships, including potential collaboration with firms like Fujitsu, are expected to help accelerate commercialization. The initiative reflects Japan’s broader effort to secure technological sovereignty in critical sectors such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and quantum computing. By investing heavily in domestic chip capabilities, Tokyo hopes to strengthen economic security and ensure it remains competitive in the rapidly evolving global semiconductor landscape.
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https://www.datagrom.com/ai-news/japan-pours-16b-into-longshot-chip-startup-b421843f
