Japan to Expand ¥86 Trillion U.S. Investment into AI and Semiconductors

[Financial News Tokyo = Hye-jin Seo, correspondent] Japan will significantly expand investment in artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductor manufacturing as part of its $550 billion (approximately ¥86 trillion) investment in the United States agreed with Washington. The move aims to broaden the investment portfolio into advanced industries after criticism that projects announced so far have been concentrated in the energy sector, including power plants and crude oil export infrastructure.
According to Yomiuri Shimbun on the 6th, Ryosei Akazawa, who is visiting the United States, held a press conference in Washington, D.C., on the 4th local time and said of the investment plan, "AI and semiconductor manufacturing will account for a very large share going forward."
Ryosei Akazawa met with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on the 3rd and Jamieson Greer, the U.S. trade representative, on the 4th. They discussed U.S. tariff measures and plans to advance investment in the United States.
The United States and Japan have announced a total of six investment projects in the first and second rounds. Most are concentrated in the energy sector, including the construction of gas-fired power plants and crude oil export infrastructure.
The two countries are currently selecting a third investment project. AI and semiconductor manufacturing projects have emerged as leading candidates, but a specific announcement is expected to take time. Ryosei Akazawa explained, "A certain amount of time is needed for research and other work to flesh out the project."
During his meeting with Jamieson Greer, Ryosei Akazawa also discussed additional tariffs that the Trump administration is considering over concerns about overproduction.
The two sides reaffirmed their policy of applying special measures to ensure that, even if additional tariffs are imposed, Japan's tariff level will not exceed the level already agreed upon. Accordingly, even if the United States introduces new tariffs, the rate imposed on Japanese products is not expected to exceed 15% at most, including existing tariffs.
The special measure was agreed upon during the U.S.-Japan tariff negotiations last July. Ryosei Akazawa said, "The meeting reaffirmed a shared understanding that the United States will not impose additional tariffs on Japan beyond last year's agreement."

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