Press Conference by Minister Akazawa (Excerpt)

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

8:34 to 8:43 a.m.
Friday, December 12, 2025
In front of the Cabinet Room, 2nd Floor, National Diet Building

Opening Remarks

Establishment of an open research and development center for cutting-edge semiconductors

Taking advantage of the location of Rapidus Corporation, the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) will establish an open research and development center for cutting-edge semiconductors in Chitose City, Hokkaido, where Japan’s semiconductor industry is rapidly forming a cluster. The center is expected to be utilized by a wide range of stakeholders, including semiconductor companies such as Rapidus, as well as manufacturing equipment and materials companies and universities. The aim of this is to promote research and development for cutting-edge semiconductors by collaborating with overseas companies and research institutes. If the supplementary budget is passed in the current Diet session, we will begin introducing the necessary manufacturing equipment, such as next-generation EUV lithography equipment, with the aim of starting operations in FY2029. The administrative staff will provide details.

Question-and-Answer Session

TSMC’s second factory

Q: I would like to ask you about TSMC’s second factory. There have been news reports that TSMC has changed its original plans for its second factory, the construction of which began in October in Kikuyo Town, Kumamoto Prefecture, and has begun considering manufacturing the 4-nanometer  chips. In fact, the number of heavy machines at construction sites has drastically decreased, and local residents are expressing concern that construction may have been halted. I would like to ask what the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), as the approving authority for the plan, has learned from TSMC about the content of the plan and the progress of the construction work.

A: I am aware of the news reports. However, as the matter concerns the business activities of an individual company, I would like to refrain from commenting on the status of the construction work in detail. With that said, TSMC has informed us that, as of now, there are no changes to the approved plan regarding the timing of production start-up, the volume, the semiconductor generation to be produced, or the nodes, and that it is not true that suspension or cancellation is being considered. METI will continue to devote its full efforts toward the revival of Japan's semiconductor industry.

Establishment of an open research and development center for cutting-edge semiconductors

Q: I would like to ask you about AIST’s open research development center related to Rapidus, which you mentioned at the beginning. Could you share your view on the significance of this center and your expectations for it?

A: This is what Prime Minister Takaichi has proposed: the Takaichi Cabinet will build a strong economy, and to achieve that, it will make both crisis-management and growth investments. As we move forward, the need for semiconductors will increase worldwide, along with the spread of artificial intelligence. Prime Minister Takaichi's basic philosophy is to aim for economic growth by making investments that solve issues both domestically and internationally, taking a global perspective. I believe that the efforts that Rapidus is making to manufacture the world's most cutting-edge semiconductors are at the heart of the direction that Prime Minister Takaichi is aiming for. Although I have not heard from the Prime Minister whether there is an order of priority among the 17 growth fields, it goes without saying that AI and semiconductors are among the foremost of them, and that these are truly important initiatives and national projects that METI is determined to ensure the success of.

Loans to Rapidus from three megabanks

Q: Regarding Rapidus, there were news reports yesterday that three megabanks will provide a total of two trillion yen in funding. Could you share your honest view on this matter? At the same time, it has also been pointed out that the amount of funding remains insufficient. Could you share what METI’s future policy is and your view on it?

A: I am aware that three megabanks have issued non-binding letters of intent to Rapidus indicating their intention to proceed with consideration of providing loans. However, I would like to refrain from commenting on the details of this. Rapidus' plan to raise funds aims to secure more than two trillion yen in private loans, and the Government of Japan intends to support Rapidus' efforts through financial support under the Act on Facilitation of Information Processing.