Press Conference by Minister Saito (Excerpt)

*Note: This is a provisional translation for reference purposes only.

10:33 to 10:44 a.m.
Tuesday, May 21, 2024
Press Conference Room, METI Main Building

Opening Remarks

None

Question-and-Answer Session

Securing and developing human resources in the semiconductor industry

Q: I would like to ask you one thing about your visit to Rapidus last weekend. Now, some assert the need for the development of researchers and other human resources in the semiconductor industry. In Kyushu, efforts by the government, industry, and academic sectors seem to be progressing. Could you explain your view on the future development of human resources in Hokkaido, the location of Rapidus Corporation, and other regions?

A: Good morning. I think you made an important point. We need to strongly work on securing and developing human resources to deeply instill the results of the Rapidus project and other industrial policies for semiconductors into Japan’s industrial bases.

Through the collaboration between educational organizations and semiconductor-related companies, METI established Regional Consortiums for Human Resource Development in six regions across Japan. This is a project for advancing human resource development in a concrete manner by ascertaining regional needs for semiconductor human resources. In Hokkaido as well, we launched the Hokkaido Promotion Council for Developing Semiconductor Human Resources in June last year. Hokkaido University, colleges of technology, Rapidus, and other semiconductor-related companies participate in the council, and we understand that the council has already started efforts for human resource development, including the provision of practical curricula by lecturers dispatched from companies who are tailored to suit actual production sites.

In addition to region-based efforts, the Leading-Edge Semiconductor Technology Center (LSTC) was launched as a body to lead the development of highly-skilled human resources with expertise in semiconductors who will play a leading role in Japan. Along with this, we intend to advance the development of top-level human resources through personnel exchanges with overseas research institutions.

Moreover, during my visit last weekend, I directly exchanged opinions with young staff members of Rapidus. I was very encouraged by the passion and pride these young people displayed in putting all their energy into the revitalization of the semiconductor industry, showing a level of commitment much greater than I had imagined. I was also told that the fellow alumni of these young staff members are very interested in the Rapidus project, and I realized that young people with expertise, from graduates of the colleges of technology to those who completed doctoral programs, are highly interested in the semiconductor industry.

While the Japanese semiconductor industry strives to become the most advanced in the world, it may attract more and more outstanding human resources inside and outside Japan. In collaboration with related organizations, we would like to not only expand efforts for developing semiconductor human resources but also make full efforts to enhance the international competitiveness of the Japanese semiconductor industry.

China’s removal of the list of Japanese establishments for processing fisheries products

Q: In May, China suspended the registration of Japanese fisheries product processing establishments that the country had authorized for them. I suppose that this measure may be due to the discharge of treated water into the sea. Could you offer a comment?

A: I am aware that all information on registered seafood production facilities that can export seafood from Japan has been removed from the website of the General Administration of Customs, which is in charge of food imports in the Government of China. Regarding this case, the Government of Japan has requested China to offer an explanation, but I have been told that no response has been provided so far, and I can honestly say that it is unclear what the intent of this measure is and what effect it will have.

In any case, China's total suspension of imports of Japanese edible marine products from last August is a measure that is not based on any scientific evidence at all, and I feel this is highly regrettable. METI will continue to work with related ministries and agencies to request China to immediately repeal its measures.

Review of support for the display industry

Q: I would like to ask you a little about the display industry. Concerning the display industry in Japan, Sharp Corporation recently announced that it will stop its production of televisions. Furthermore, Japan Display Inc. stated that it is expected to report an 11th consecutive year of losses. In particular, Japan Display is an initiative originally led by the Innovation Network Corporation of Japan. I think that this fact can lead to the conclusion that the business of the organization was not successful, even though the government provided full support to it under the so-called Japanese national policy on liquid crystal displays. Could you offer a comment at this point on this issue? In addition, please explain your view, if any, on knowledge regarding or approaches to industrial promotion that the government will strongly encourage, like the Rapidus case.

A: First, concerning the government’s support to companies in the display industry, it is true that these companies have not always achieved the expected results, which I find extremely disappointing.
At the same time, we know that they have recently been considering business restructuring and new business development. We will continue to closely communicate with them while watching this situation.

Based on this, we consider it important to carefully examine the results of the policy support to the display industry and to make use of the results for other policies, including the semiconductor policy.

In terms of supporting the display industry, I believe that the policy authority might not have given sufficient thought to global trends in technology and business models. For example, it is undeniable that Japan lagged behind global technological and business trends because it focused on strategic alliances of domestic companies. Also, as the display industry is an apparatus industry, it is extremely important to appropriately make decisions on investments by also taking trends in demand into account. I think, however, that the investment support was simply fragmented and sporadic and that sufficient investment support measures could not be taken as the industry faced intensifying global competition.

To overcome this, with regard to the support for the semiconductor company Rapidus this time, we are strongly aware that we must take what we have learned into account and aim to make the company become a global leader in terms of technology and business. Specifically, this is reflected in Rapidus’s efforts in search of the development of the world's most advanced technology through collaboration with IBM in the United States and IMEC in Belgium. As for the investment scale, the government has been providing continuous financial support more progressively than in the past in a one-step-forward manner which is also incorporated into the efforts.

We recognize that Rapidus has been smoothly advancing technological development so far. Going forward, the company will start full-fledged discussions on business strategies for mass production.

Furthermore, this year will be an extremely important year for Rapidus, as it needs to expand its raising of funds from the private sector. METI would like to exert full efforts to ensure the success of the Rapidus project while taking into account the knowledge gained from the display policy.