Japan: Chipmakers aim to regain lead

The Yomiuri Shimbun

Starting this month, five major domestic semiconductor makers will begin supplying the basic technology for next-generation semiconductor chips to foreign competitors in a bid to help Japan regain the top position in the industry by establishing the new technology as the standard in the global market.

The five makers, including Toshiba Corp. and NEC Electronics Corp., developed the new technology for manufacturing semiconductor chips jointly with the government.

The technology was developed by Advanced SoC Platform Corp. (ASPLA), which was jointly established by 10 domestic firms in July last year, under the leadership of the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry.

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