Japan Bets on Semiconductor Revival: 'We Must Recognize It as a Survival Strategy'

[Financial News] It has been suggested that the Korean semiconductor industry should refer to Japan's case, where the semiconductor industry is being revived through large-scale government investment.
Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) announced this through the 'Trends and Implications of Japan's Semiconductor Industry Policy' report on the 14th.
According to the report, Japanese companies, which led the global semiconductor market until the 1990s, fell to less than 10% market share amid the collapse of the bubble economy and poor response to technological transitions.
In response, the Japanese government has been pouring large subsidies since 2021 to attract major global semiconductor companies such as Taiwan's TSMC and America's Micron, while also supporting domestic companies like Kioxia and Renesas to quickly restore domestic production bases.
In fact, the company 'Rapidus', jointly funded by the Japanese government and 8 private companies, aims to mass-produce advanced 2-nanometer semiconductors by 2027.
The report evaluated that Japan is not only recovering production capacity but also utilizing its strengths in the materials, parts, and equipment industries for economic security.
It emphasized that through Japan's policy implementation cases, Korea should also recognize the semiconductor industry as a key strategic industry for economic security and a 'survival strategy', and strategically link policy support with corporate and industrial ecosystems.
It argued that, policy-wise, it is necessary to establish an effective mid- to long-term financial support system, including not only short-term tax benefits centered on investment tax credits but also subsidies, loans, and infrastructure.
It stated that companies need to build capabilities to respond swiftly to the reorganization of the global supply chain through a joint strategy with the government.
Kang Kyung-sung, President of KOTRA, said, "Japan's case highlights the importance of recognizing the semiconductor industry as a strategic industry directly linked to the nation's fate and providing comprehensive support," adding, "To overcome the structural crisis facing our semiconductor industry and secure future competitiveness, strong government support and corporate cooperation are needed."



one1@fnnews.com Jeong Won-il Reporter