22 Major Companies in the Japanese Semiconductor Industry: Pioneering the Future with Technological Innovation

The Japanese semiconductor industry, once dominant globally, faces numerous challenges today, including the rise of overseas companies and geopolitical risks. However, many companies still possess world-class technological capabilities, and a resurgence is expected. This article carefully selects 22 major companies representing the Japanese semiconductor industry, thoroughly explaining each company’s business activities, strengths, achievements, and future outlook.

Semiconductor Manufacturers

Renesas Electronics is a semiconductor manufacturer that boasts the world’s top share in automotive microcontrollers. It also develops semiconductors for industrial and IoT devices. It was established in 2010 through the integration of the semiconductor divisions of NEC Electronics, Renesas Technology, and Mitsubishi Electric. Its headquarters is located in Koto-ku, Tokyo.

Renesas Electronics’ strengths are its overwhelming share in automotive control microcontrollers and its high quality and reliability. In recent years, it has been expanding its business domain through M&A.

It supplies automotive microcontrollers to automakers around the world and also provides a wide range of products for industrial and IoT devices.

To respond to the electrification and autonomous driving of automobiles, the automation of industry, and the spread of IoT, it is promoting the development of high-performance and highly functional semiconductors, strengthening global expansion, and is expected to respond quickly to market needs. As a semiconductor manufacturer leading the world in automotive microcontrollers, it will contribute to the transformation of the automotive industry.

Sony Group is widely known for its entertainment business, but it is also a semiconductor manufacturer that boasts the world’s top share in the image sensor field. Founded in 1946, it develops a wide range of businesses, including electronics, entertainment, and finance. Its semiconductor business focuses on image sensors. Its headquarters is located in Minato-ku, Tokyo.

Sony Group’s strengths are its world-leading share in CMOS image sensors and its high technological and development capabilities.

With the growth of the smartphone market, the demand for image sensors has expanded, and they have been adopted by many smartphone manufacturers.

It is promoting the development of higher-performance and more functional image sensors and is also considering applications in fields such as autonomous driving and IoT. As a semiconductor manufacturer leading the world in image sensors, it is expected to contribute to the evolution of imaging technology.

Kioxia is a semiconductor manufacturer with a global share in NAND flash memory. It plays an important role in the data storage market. Formerly Toshiba Memory, it changed its name in 2019. Its headquarters is located in Minato-ku, Tokyo.

Kioxia’s strengths are its high-capacity and high-speed technologies in NAND flash memory.

It is widely used in SSDs, smartphones, and data centers, and demand is expanding with the growth of the smartphone and SSD markets, and demand for data centers is also increasing.

To respond to the expansion of the data storage market, it is promoting the development of high-capacity and high-speed NAND flash memory. As a semiconductor manufacturer that supports the data storage market with NAND flash memory, it is expected to contribute to the development of the data society.

Rohm is a manufacturer that provides a wide range of semiconductor products, including analog ICs, power semiconductors, and passive components such as resistors. Founded in 1958, it started with the manufacture of resistors and subsequently expanded its business to semiconductor products and passive components. Its headquarters is located in Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture.

Rohm’s strengths are its analog IC technology, especially SiC power devices.

It provides products to a wide range of fields, including automobiles, industrial equipment, and home appliances, and SiC power devices are used for power control in electric vehicles.

To respond to the electrification of automobiles and the automation of industrial equipment, it is promoting the development of high-efficiency power semiconductors and high-precision analog ICs. As a semiconductor manufacturer that contributes with analog and power semiconductor technologies, it is expected to contribute to the realization of an electrified society.

Mitsubishi Electric is a comprehensive electric manufacturer that develops a wide range of businesses, but it is also a semiconductor manufacturer with strengths in fields such as power semiconductors and high-frequency devices. Founded in 1921, it develops a wide range of businesses, including heavy electrical equipment, FA equipment, and home appliances. Its semiconductor business focuses on power semiconductors and high-frequency devices. Its headquarters is located in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo.

Mitsubishi Electric’s strengths are its devices for power control and communication infrastructure. In particular, it is focusing on next-generation power semiconductors such as SiC and GaN.

It provides products to railways, power systems, and communication base stations, contributing to energy saving and high efficiency.

To respond to the sophistication of power systems and communication infrastructure, it is promoting the development of high-efficiency power semiconductors and high-frequency devices. As a semiconductor manufacturer that supports social infrastructure with power semiconductors and high-frequency devices, it is expected to contribute to the realization of a sustainable society.

Rapidus is attracting attention as a company aiming to revive the Japanese semiconductor industry and working on the domestic production of cutting-edge semiconductors. Founded in 2022, it is funded by Toyota Motor, Sony Group, NTT, NEC, SoftBank, Denso, Kioxia, and Mitsubishi UFJ Bank. Its headquarters is located in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo.

Rapidus’ strengths are its clear goal of developing and manufacturing cutting-edge logic semiconductors of 2nm process and beyond, and its powerful group of investors. It is strengthening its technological capabilities through a technology partnership with IBM in the US.

Although it has just been established, it is expected to be a standard-bearer for the revival of the Japanese semiconductor industry.

It aims to realize the domestic production of cutting-edge logic semiconductors and contribute to strengthening Japan’s industrial competitiveness. Its future trends are attracting attention.

Fujitsu is widely known as an IT service company, but it also develops ASICs and SoCs, utilizing its semiconductor technology cultivated over many years. Founded in 1935, it develops IT services, platform solutions, and device solutions. Its semiconductor business focuses on ASICs and SoCs. Its headquarters is located in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture.

Fujitsu’s strengths are the know-how cultivated in its long IT service business and its development capabilities for ASICs and SoCs utilizing this know-how. In particular, it has strengths in devices for networks and communications.

It provides technology for communication infrastructure and the supercomputer “Fugaku.”

It is promoting device development that responds to fields such as high-speed communication and AI. It is a company that contributes to the semiconductor field by utilizing the technology cultivated in IT services.

Overseas Semiconductor Companies (Including Companies Operating in Japan)

Intel is a semiconductor manufacturer known globally for its microprocessors (CPUs). It provides a wide range of products for PCs, servers, and data centers. Founded in 1968, it has greatly contributed to the development of the computer industry through the invention of the microprocessor. Its headquarters is located in Santa Clara, California, USA.

Intel’s strengths are its overwhelming share in CPUs for PCs and servers and its manufacturing process technology cultivated over many years. In recent years, it has also focused on the foundry business and is aiming to shift from IDM (Integrated Device Manufacturer) to IDM 2.0.

Intel CPUs are installed in PCs and servers around the world, and demand for data centers is also large. In recent years, it has also focused on developing products for data centers and AI, such as GPUs and FPGAs.

To respond to market growth in data centers, AI, and autonomous driving, it is promoting the development of high-performance CPUs, GPUs, and FPGAs and is also focusing on the miniaturization of manufacturing process technology. By strengthening its foundry business, it also plans to expand its semiconductor supply to external customers. As a leading company that supports the computer industry with microprocessors, it continues to innovate technologically to support a data-centric society.

Samsung Electronics is widely known for home appliances such as smartphones and televisions, but it is also a semiconductor manufacturer with a world-leading share in memory semiconductors and system LSIs. Founded in 1969, it develops a wide range of businesses, including home appliances, smartphones, and semiconductors. Its semiconductor business focuses on memory semiconductors and system LSIs. Its headquarters is located in Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea.

Samsung Electronics’ strengths are its world-leading share in DRAM and NAND flash memory and its cutting-edge manufacturing process technology. It is also actively developing its foundry business and is a strong rival to TSMC.

Demand for memory for smartphones and data centers is large, and system LSIs are installed in its own “Galaxy” series of smartphones.

It is promoting the high integration and high speed of memory semiconductors, and is strengthening the application of system LSIs to fields such as AI and 5G. It is also actively developing its foundry business and focusing on the development of cutting-edge process technology. As a global company leading the memory semiconductor market, it is contributing to the development of the information society with cutting-edge technology.

Micron is a manufacturer that provides memory semiconductors such as DRAM and NAND flash memory. It provides products to a wide range of fields, including data storage, mobile devices, and automobiles. Founded in 1978, it specializes in the development and manufacture of memory semiconductors such as DRAM and NAND flash memory. Its headquarters is located in Boise, Idaho, USA.

Micron’s strengths are its technological capabilities in DRAM and NAND flash memory and its broad product portfolio.

It provides memory to data centers, smartphones, and PCs, and demand for automobiles is also increasing.

To respond to the increase in data volume, it is promoting the development of high-capacity and high-speed memory and is also focusing on the development of new technologies. As a company that plays an important role in the memory semiconductor market, it supports the foundation of the data society.

TSMC is the world’s largest dedicated semiconductor contract manufacturing (foundry) company. It manufactures products for many semiconductor manufacturers. Founded in 1987, it specializes in semiconductor contract manufacturing. Its headquarters is located in Hsinchu City, Taiwan.

TSMC’s strengths are its cutting-edge manufacturing process technology and its overwhelming production capacity. It undertakes manufacturing from many semiconductor manufacturers and plays an important role in supporting the global semiconductor industry.

It manufactures products for many major semiconductor manufacturers, including Apple, Qualcomm, NVIDIA, and AMD.

It continues to develop cutting-edge process technology and responds to customer needs. It is increasing its production capacity to respond to the increase in global semiconductor demand. As an important company that supports the global semiconductor industry, it is a leading company in the foundry business.

Qualcomm is a semiconductor manufacturer that leads the world in mobile communication technology. It has a high share in SoCs (System-on-a-Chip) for smartphones. Founded in 1985, it develops mobile communication technology and semiconductors. Its headquarters is located in San Diego, California, USA.

Qualcomm’s strengths are its overwhelming technological capabilities in mobile communication technology (5G, 4G) and high-performance SoCs such as Snapdragon.

It provides SoCs and modems to many smartphone manufacturers and has greatly contributed to the development of mobile communication technology.

To respond to the spread of 5G and the expansion of IoT, it is promoting the development of high-performance SoCs and communication modems and is also focusing on fields such as automobiles and XR (Extended Reality). As a company that leads the world in mobile communication technology, it is contributing to the realization of a connected society.

NVIDIA is a semiconductor manufacturer known globally for its GPUs (Graphics Processing Units). It is used in a wide range of fields, including games, data centers, and AI. Founded in 1993, it develops and manufactures GPUs. Its headquarters is located in Santa Clara, California, USA.

NVIDIA’s strengths are its high-performance GPUs and its high technological capabilities in AI platforms.

With the growth of the gaming market, the demand for GPUs has expanded, and in recent years, demand for AI and data centers has also surged.

To respond to market growth in AI, data centers, and autonomous driving, it is promoting the development of high-performance GPUs and AI platforms. As a company that expands the possibilities of computing with GPUs, it is leading the AI revolution.

Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment and Materials Manufacturers

From here, we will introduce semiconductor manufacturing equipment and materials manufacturers, which are important groups of companies that support semiconductor manufacturers.

Tokyo Electron is a company with a world-leading share in semiconductor manufacturing equipment. It is an indispensable presence for the development of the semiconductor industry. Founded in 1963, it develops, manufactures, and sells semiconductor manufacturing equipment and FPD manufacturing equipment. Its headquarters is located in Minato-ku, Tokyo.

Tokyo Electron’s strengths are its ability to provide a wide range of equipment necessary for the front-end and back-end processes of semiconductor manufacturing, and in particular, it has a high share in film deposition equipment and etching equipment.

It provides manufacturing equipment to semiconductor manufacturers around the world and contributes to the progress of semiconductor miniaturization technology.

To respond to the increase in semiconductor demand and the sophistication of miniaturization technology, it is promoting the development of cutting-edge manufacturing equipment. As an important company that supports the semiconductor industry, it contributes to technological innovation with cutting-edge manufacturing equipment.

Applied Materials, along with Tokyo Electron, is a company with a world-leading share in semiconductor manufacturing equipment. Founded in 1967, it develops, manufactures, and sells manufacturing equipment for semiconductors, displays, and solar cells. Its headquarters is located in Santa Clara, California, USA.

Applied Materials’ strengths are its ability to provide a wide range of equipment necessary for the front-end and back-end processes of semiconductor manufacturing. In particular, in addition to having a high share in film deposition equipment and etching equipment, it also has strengths in materials technology.

It provides manufacturing equipment to semiconductor manufacturers around the world and contributes to the progress of semiconductor miniaturization technology.

To respond to the increase in semiconductor demand and the sophistication of miniaturization technology, it is promoting the development of cutting-edge manufacturing equipment. As an important company that supports the semiconductor industry, it contributes to technological innovation with cutting-edge manufacturing equipment.

ASML is a company with an overwhelming share in semiconductor lithography equipment. In particular, EUV lithography equipment is essential for cutting-edge semiconductor manufacturing. Founded in 1984, it develops and manufactures semiconductor lithography equipment. Its headquarters is located in Veldhoven, the Netherlands.

ASML’s strengths are its near-monopoly share in EUV (Extreme Ultraviolet) lithography equipment and its high technological and development capabilities. EUV lithography equipment is essential for cutting-edge semiconductor manufacturing of 7nm processes and beyond.

It provides EUV lithography equipment to companies that manufacture cutting-edge semiconductors, such as TSMC, Samsung Electronics, and Intel, and plays an important role in supporting the miniaturization of semiconductors.

With the progress of semiconductor miniaturization, it is promoting the development of more advanced lithography technology. It is also developing High-NA EUV lithography equipment and is expected to contribute to further miniaturization. As a leading company that provides lithography equipment essential for cutting-edge semiconductor manufacturing, it is leading the evolution of semiconductor technology.

SCREEN Holdings is a company that provides semiconductor manufacturing equipment, display manufacturing equipment, and printing equipment. In the semiconductor field, it has strengths in cleaning equipment and single-wafer film deposition equipment. Founded in 1943, it initially started with the manufacture of printing equipment and subsequently expanded its business to semiconductor manufacturing equipment and display manufacturing equipment. Its headquarters is located in Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture.

SCREEN Holdings’ strengths are its advanced technological capabilities in semiconductor manufacturing processes, such as cleaning technology and single-wafer film deposition technology, and its customization capabilities to meet customer needs. In particular, its single-wafer cleaning equipment boasts the world’s top share.

It provides manufacturing equipment to semiconductor manufacturers around the world and contributes to the efficiency improvement and yield improvement of semiconductor manufacturing processes. In recent years, it has also focused on developing equipment that supports 3D packaging and advanced packaging.

To respond to technological innovations such as semiconductor miniaturization and 3D packaging, it is promoting the development of cutting-edge manufacturing equipment and is expected to provide new solutions through collaboration with customers. As an important company that supports semiconductor manufacturing processes, it contributes to the development of the semiconductor industry with advanced technology.

Shin-Etsu Chemical is a comprehensive chemical manufacturer that manufactures vinyl chloride resin, semiconductor silicon, and specialty functional chemicals. In the semiconductor field, it has a world-leading share in silicon wafers. Founded in 1926, its headquarters is located in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo.

Shin-Etsu Chemical’s strengths are its ability to stably supply high-quality silicon wafers and its long history and reliability. It has a significant influence in the semiconductor wafer market.

It provides silicon wafers to semiconductor manufacturers around the world and supports the foundation of the semiconductor industry.

To respond to the increase in semiconductor demand and the increase in wafer diameter, it is promoting the expansion of production capacity and the development of high-quality wafers. As a leading company that provides silicon wafers essential to the semiconductor industry, it supports the evolution of semiconductor technology from its foundation.

SUMCO, along with Shin-Etsu Chemical, is a company with a world-leading share in semiconductor silicon wafers. It supports the semiconductor industry with high-quality silicon wafers. Established in 1999 through the integration of the silicon wafer businesses of Mitsubishi Materials and Sumitomo Metal Industries (now Nippon Steel), its headquarters is located in Minato-ku, Tokyo.

SUMCO’s strengths are its provision of high-quality silicon wafers and its technological development capabilities. It is particularly strong in the manufacture of large-diameter wafers.

It provides silicon wafers to semiconductor manufacturers around the world and supports the foundation of the semiconductor industry.

To respond to the increase in semiconductor demand and the increase in wafer diameter, it is promoting the expansion of production capacity and the development of high-quality wafers. As a leading company that provides silicon wafers essential to the semiconductor industry, it supports the evolution of semiconductor technology from its foundation.

Other Notable Companies (Semiconductor Related)

Disco boasts the world’s top share in cutting and polishing equipment used in the back-end process of semiconductor manufacturing. It has particularly high technological capabilities in dicing saws (cutting equipment) and grinders (polishing equipment). Founded in 1937, its headquarters is located in Ota-ku, Tokyo.

Disco’s strength is its precision processing technology, especially its pursuit of “Kiru・Kezuru・Migaku” (cutting, grinding, polishing) technology, which greatly contributes to the miniaturization, thinning, and high integration of semiconductor chips. Its unique blade technology and polishing technology are essential for cutting-edge semiconductor manufacturing.

In addition to cutting and polishing semiconductor chips, it also provides equipment used in the packaging process, providing solutions that cover the entire back-end process. In recent years, it has also focused on developing processing technology for next-generation power semiconductors such as SiC (silicon carbide) and GaN (gallium nitride).

It is promoting the development of processing technology that responds to the high performance, high integration, and thinning of semiconductor devices and is expected to provide solutions that meet the diverse needs of customers. It is an important company that supports semiconductor manufacturing with precision processing technology.

Lasertec is a company with strengths in inspection equipment related to semiconductor lithography equipment. In particular, it has high technological capabilities in actinic inspection equipment, which is essential for the inspection of EUV lithography equipment. Founded in 1960, its headquarters is located in Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture.

Lasertec’s strength is its advanced inspection technology that combines cutting-edge optical technology and measurement technology. In particular, it boasts an overwhelming global share in defect inspection equipment for masks used in EUV lithography equipment and greatly contributes to the progress of EUV lithography technology.

It contributes to the performance improvement and yield improvement of EUV lithography equipment and plays an important role in supporting cutting-edge semiconductor manufacturing. In recent years, it has also been working on the development of inspection equipment for High-NA EUV lithography equipment, which is a next-generation lithography technology.

With the progress of semiconductor miniaturization, it is promoting the development of more advanced inspection technology and is expected to contribute to improving the yield and quality of semiconductor manufacturing. It is an important company that supports the inspection of cutting-edge lithography equipment.

Advantest is a company with a global share in semiconductor testers. It provides testers essential for semiconductor performance testing and quality evaluation. Founded in 1954, its headquarters is located in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo.

Advantest’s strengths are its wide range of tester products, including memory testers, system-level testers, and test handlers, and its advanced measurement technology. It provides solutions that can handle testing of all types of semiconductor devices, including memory, logic, and SoC.

Through performance testing and quality evaluation of semiconductor devices, it contributes to improving the reliability of semiconductor devices and plays an important role in supporting the global semiconductor industry. In recent years, it has also focused on developing testers that respond to new technology fields such as 5G, AI, and autonomous driving.

It is promoting the development of testers that respond to the high performance, high integration, and diversification of semiconductor devices and is expected to provide test solutions that meet the diverse needs of customers. It is an important company that guarantees the quality of semiconductors.

The Japanese semiconductor industry, which once dominated the world, currently faces many challenges, such as the rise of overseas companies, geopolitical risks, and a shortage of human resources. However, the group of companies introduced this time has world-class technological capabilities and competitiveness in their respective fields and plays an important role in supporting Japanese industry.

Particularly noteworthy in recent years is Rapidus’ efforts to domestically produce cutting-edge logic semiconductors. If this succeeds, the Japanese semiconductor industry has the potential to regain its presence in the global market. Furthermore, demand for semiconductors is expected to continue to expand in the future due to the electrification and autonomous driving of automobiles, the spread of IoT, and the evolution of AI, providing significant business opportunities for Japanese semiconductor companies.

It is important for each company to leverage its strengths, strengthen collaboration, and respond quickly to the rapidly changing market. Continuing technological innovation, focusing on human resource development, and maintaining and improving global competitiveness are essential for the future development of the Japanese semiconductor industry. Specifically, the following initiatives will be important:

• Strengthening and Diversifying Supply Chains: Avoiding dependence on specific countries or regions and increasing the resilience of supply chains.
• Strengthening Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration: Strengthening collaboration with universities and research institutions to promote basic research, applied research, and human resource development in an integrated manner.
• Global Collaboration: Strengthening technological capabilities and market access through strategic alliances and M&A with overseas companies.
• Strengthening Human Resource Development: Enhancing domestic and international human resource development programs and developing human resources with advanced expertise. In particular, human resource development in fields such as semiconductor design, manufacturing processes, AI, and software is urgently needed.
• Responding to Geopolitical Risks: Considering measures to address geopolitical risks, such as strengthening domestic production bases and securing alternative production bases.

By being aware of these points, the Japanese semiconductor industry is expected to once again demonstrate its presence in the global market and greatly contribute to Japan’s economic growth.