When we talk about Japanese semiconductors, what come to mind?

In the 1980s, Japan was the world's largest semiconductor producer. In the early 1990s, 6 of the world's top 10 semiconductor companies were from Japan. Today, Japan's DRAM "national team" Elpida has gone bankrupt, and NEC, Toshiba, Hitachi, etc. have long since disappeared from the TOP25 list of global semiconductor companies.

The glory of Japanese semiconductors seems to be far away, and its dramatic decline is more often mentioned.

However, we decided to start a semiconductor business investigation trip to Japan. Let's talk today, why do we still want to go to Japan?

Why Japan?

Japan is still a semiconductor power, but it is more hidden.

In the field of equipment and materials at the most upstream of the semiconductor industry chain, Japan has a near-monopoly: there are 19 types of materials commonly used in the front-end processes, 14 of which are dominated by Japanese companies.

The field of semiconductor materials and equipment has a small market and relatively low profit margins, but it is also technically difficult and requires high technical foundations. However, Japan has formed a unique monopoly wall in this field by relying on its "craftsman spirit" and its extreme emphasis on basic scientific research.

Although the market size of semiconductor materials and equipment is small, it has great strategic value and can affect the downstream trillion-scale semiconductor market with a small size.

In 2019, the Japanese government launched sanctions on Korean companies and restricted the export of semiconductor core materials. Senior executives of Samsung and SK Hynix flew to Japan immediately to find a solution. Take hydrogen fluoride as an example. Even though South Korea has now achieved localization, the purity is only 99.99999999% (8 nines after the decimal point), but Japanese companies can achieve 10 nines after the decimal point. After hundreds of processes, small differences can lead to hugely different results.

In addition to the weakness of its own industrial chain and the loss of the market, the decline of Japanese semiconductors is also related to the suppression from the United States. For today's Chinese semiconductor industry, the reshaping, reform and current situation of Japan's semiconductor industry are of extremely high research value.

Core Think Tank and Core Intelligence Manufacturing plan to launch a business inspection activity with the theme of "Exploring Core Opportunities in Japan's Semiconductor Equipment Materials Industry" from January 21 to 28, 2024, to learn about Japan's semiconductor equipment and materials industry from a distance, and to obtain cooperation with Japan. Opportunities related to investment and mergers and acquisitions.

Itinerary features

Time:

January 21-28, 2024

8 days and 7 nights in-depth inspection

1. Covering multiple links in the Japanese semiconductor industry chain, focusing on semiconductor equipment materials

The inspection covers many aspects of semiconductor equipment, materials, testing, design, etc., from Kyoto to Tokyo, focusing on semiconductor equipment and materials companies.

2. An experienced driver in the field of semiconductor equipment and materials led the team to explain

Focusing on the field of semiconductor equipment and materials, veterans with 20+ years led the team to summarize and share, deliver high-density dry information, and quickly understand the Japanese semiconductor industry.

3. On-site visits to enhance personal experience and in-depth communication with company representatives

Visit representative semiconductor and automobile companies on-site, and invite company representatives and team members to have in-depth exchanges.

4. The group members are mainly industry guests and have close contact for 8 days to form a close social circle

View more at EASELINK