Toyota Motor and its main components supplier Denso said they were increasing their investments in Japan Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing, a semiconductor manufacturing joint venture based in Kumamoto prefecture majority owned by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSMC). Sony Semiconductor Solutions is also a significant participant in this joint venture.

JASM is currently building an advanced semiconductor plant, or fab, in Japan which is scheduled to begin operations this year. A second fab in Japan was announced recently with completion scheduled for 2027, in response to strong customer demand. Combined investment in the two plants was estimated at around US$20bn with strong support from the Japanese government.

The two fabs would have a combined production capacity of 100,000 12 inch wafers per month for automotive, industrial, consumer and HPC related applications.

The two plants were expected to employ 3,400 engineers when fully operational.

Following this latest investment, TSMC would have an 86.5% stake in JASM, Sony Semiconductor 6%, Denso 5.5% and Toyota Motor 2%.