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TSMC, Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation (SSS) and DENSO Corporation announced that DENSO will take a minority stake in Japan Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing, Inc. (JASM), TSMC's majority-owned manufacturing subsidiary in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan with a US$0.35 billion investment. With this equity investment, DENSO will hold a more than 10% equity stake in JASM.
Construction of JASM's fab in Japan is scheduled to begin in the 2022 calendar year with production targeted to begin by the end of 2024. To support market demand, TSMC will also enhance JASM's capabilities with 12/16 nanometer FinFET process technology in addition to the previously announced 22/28 nanometer process and increase monthly production capacity to 55,000 12-inch wafers. With the additional capacity, the total capital expenditure for JASM's Kumamoto fab is estimated to be approximately US$8.6 billion with strong support from the Japanese government. The fab is expected to directly create about 1,700 high-tech professional jobs.
The closing of the transaction between JASM and DENSO is subject to customary closing conditions.
"TSMC is very glad to welcome DENSO's participation in JASM to enable fresh innovations in the future of transportation together," said Dr. CC Wei, Chief Executive Officer of TSMC. "JASM is not only an opportunity for TSMC to support growing market demand for specialty technologies, it enables us to leverage Japan's top-notch semiconductor talent and contribute to the growth of the global semiconductor ecosystem."
"While the global demand for semiconductors is expected to grow, we expect JASM to contribute to securing a stable supply of logic wafers, not only for us but also the overall industry," said Terushi Shimizu, President and CEO of Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation. "We are very pleased to have DENSO as a new member, and we look forward to working with them to support the launch of JASM."
"Semiconductors are becoming increasingly important in the automotive industry as mobility technologies evolve, including automated driving and electrification," said Koji Arima, President and CEO of DENSO Corporation. "Through this partnership, we contribute to the stable supply of semiconductors over the medium to long term and thus to the automotive industry."
