The semiconductor strategy proposal submitted by JEITA (Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association) to the government outlines six key policies that include not only “manufacturing” but also “domestic use,” and is attracting attention as a comprehensive strategy supporting Japan’s AI and digital infrastructure.
https://www.jeita.or.jp/japanese/topics/2026/0522.pdf
🟧JEITA announces six key recommendations, aiming to build a domestic circulation model for Japanese semiconductors
The JEITA (Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association) Semiconductor Subcommittee has submitted semiconductor strategy proposals to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. This proposal emphasizes not only support for domestic semiconductor companies such as Rapidus and Kioxia but also the “local production for local consumption” model, which actively utilizes semiconductors manufactured in Japan domestically.
The recommendations are broadly organized into six pillars.
- Strengthening
Competitiveness in Advanced Semiconductors: Enhancing International Competitiveness in the Cutting-Edge Logic Field through Mass Production of Rapidus’s 2nm Process and Support for AI Semiconductor Development - Back-end Process and Advanced Packaging Support
Strengthening advanced packaging technologies important for the AI era, such as CoWoS (Chip on Wafer on Substrate) and 3D Implementation. - Stable supply
of legacy semiconductors: Focusing on maintaining the supply of mature nodes from 40nm to 90nm generation, which are crucial for automotive and industrial equipment. - Human resource development and research infrastructure development: Cultivating a wide range of technical personnel including
semiconductor design, EDA (Electronic Design Automation), materials, and implementation. - Strengthening
supply chains and economic security, reducing dependence on China for rare metals and critical minerals, and establishing a stable supply system through electricity price support - Promoting the creation of systems to utilize Japanese-made semiconductors in AI data centers, cloud, and communication infrastructure in collaboration
with domestic digital infrastructure
🟧The AI era is moving beyond “semiconductors alone” to competition across the entire infrastructure
The reason this proposal is being emphasized is the rapid expansion of the AI market. In the current AI semiconductor race, simply advancing miniaturization is not enough; it is necessary to establish the entire “digital infrastructure,” including data centers, communications, cloud services, and power supply.
Especially for AI GPUs, implementation performance through HBM (High Bandwidth Memory) and advanced packaging is crucial, and maintaining competitiveness with upstream processes alone is not possible. Therefore, JEITA recommends that Japan’s strengths in materials, equipment, and back-end process technologies should be supported as part of a national strategy.
Additionally, the idea of “using domestically produced semiconductors for domestic AI infrastructure” is important from the perspective of economic security. Amid the US-China tensions and tightening export controls, the aim is to establish a stable demand cycle within Japan.
🟧 Conclusion
A major feature of JEITA’s proposal this time is that it has evolved into a comprehensive semiconductor strategy that not only “manufactures cutting-edge semiconductors” but also includes “stable domestic utilization.” In particular, the approach to capturing cutting-edge logic, back-end processes, legacy semiconductors, human resources, and AI infrastructure as a single entity is truly relevant to the realities of the AI era.
JEITA’s proposals, true to the essence of an industry group, aim to protect the entire industry—from advanced logic to back-end processes, legacy semiconductors, talent, and resources. However, in reality, resources such as subsidies, electricity, and human resources are not unlimited. Going forward, it seems that choosing and focusing on “which national strategy to prioritize investment” will also become important.
