A plan by ROHM Co., Ltd. and Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage to collaborate in the manufacture and increased volume production of power devices has been recognised by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (MITI).

The Japanese Government is seeking to target future secure and stable domestic semiconductor and electronic products supply after the recent global chips crisis. Prolonged supply shortages of critical parts impacted the all parts of the global auto industry, including Japanese companies.

ROHM and Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage will focus on silicon carbide (SiC) and silicon (Si) power devices respectively, and make ‘intensive’ investments to enhance their supply capabilities.

The total investment amount is JPY 388.3 billion (US$2.7 billion).

ROHM has already announced its participation in the privatisation of Toshiba, but this investment did not serve as the starting point for manufacturing collaboration between the two companies.

Under intensifying international competition in the semiconductor industry, ROHM and Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage have been considering collaboration in the power device business for some time, and that resulted in the joint application.

The companies will also seek to contribute to strengthening the resilience of semiconductor supply chains in Japan.