Press Conference by Minister Akazawa (Excerpt)

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

12:53‒1:02 p.m.
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
Press Conference Room, METI Main Building

Opening Remarks

None

Question-and-Answer Session

TSMC’s second factory in Kumamoto

Q: I would like to ask about the second factory of TSMC in Kumamoto. Last week, Dr. C.C. Wei, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of TSMC, met with Prime Minister Takaichi and announced that its second factory in Kumamoto will manufacture cutting-edge 3-nanometer semiconductors, a change from its original manufacturing plan. On a separate occasion, you also met with the chairman at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). What were the main points of discussion after the media left the room? Please tell us how the talks are progressing, given the plan change, and including the proposals the TSMC side has made regarding the investment amount and the start date for operations. Upon approving the original plan, METI has already budgeted up to 732 billion yen in support. At the beginning of the meeting, METI made a positive remark, expressing its eagerness to consider the updated plan. I would like to ask whether METI may, or is eager to, further increase its subsidies if the investment amount rises due to the plan change.

A: Whenever we ask the press to leave the room, it’s because matters that cannot be shared with the reporters are likely to be discussed. I would like to refrain from making any comments regarding what was discussed after the press left the room, as it concerns an individual company’s projects currently under consideration. That said, I consider that TSMC’s revised plan to mass-produce world-leading 3-nanometer chips at its second factory in Kumamoto will contribute significantly to Japan’s industrial development and economic security. Going forward, METI will first ask TSMC for the specific investment amount and the operational start date, and then examine the updated plan to manufacture 3-nanometer chips. The Government of Japan’s policy is to continue strengthening the foundation and manufacturing sites for semiconductor production.

Japan-US Strategic Investment Initiative

Q: I would like to ask you about the project formation for the 550-billion-dollar U.S. investment. I believe you are currently making arrangements for Prime Minister Takaichi’s visit to the United States next month. I have heard that candidate projects include gas power generation for data centers, port development, and artificial diamond manufacturing. Please share your current outlook and any promising signs of project formation.

A: I am aware of the media reports you have pointed out, and I would note that concrete projects for the Japan-US Strategic Investment Initiative are currently under discussion. I would like to refrain from making comments on when specific projects will be formed or in which fields. By the way, I want to make sure we share an understanding that the Trump administration is a very determined counterpart. As you know, it is their usual practice to make various proposals that put America first, even to its allied nations. Every time the Government of Japan engages with them, we conduct challenging negotiations to protect our national interests at all costs. In a nutshell, I feel that matters with them always require careful handling. So, even though you are free to conduct interviews and write articles based on them, as long as the facts are verified, I cannot discuss any details of our ongoing negotiations with the Government of the United States. Simply put, it is highly likely that things will not turn out as written in an article, so I want you to keep this in mind. Let me reiterate that our negotiations with the Government of the United States are by no means simple or easy, and do not immediately lead to conclusions, as some people in the media and opposition parties assume. That said, regarding the Strategic Investment Initiative, we have been holding discussions at Consultation Committee meetings to structure projects as early as possible. If circumstances permit, I will be visiting the United States from tomorrow, Wednesday, February 11, through Saturday, February 14, to discuss the first project to be announced with U. S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick. Nothing has been decided yet, but if our discussion leads to the formation of the first project, we will announce it.