Japan's state-backed Rapidus needs plan B in pursuit of 2-nm chips
With government funding, foundry has charged ahead without heeding industry shifts
Rapidus Chairman Tetsuro Higashi, far left, and CEO Atsuyoshi Koike, second from left, celebrate the successful production of a 2-nanometer transistor in July. (Photo by Rie Ishii)
TAKEHIKO KOYANAGI
August 12, 2025 05:40 JST
TOKYO -- When Rapidus successfully formed 2-nanometer transistor structures on a silicon wafer at its Chitose plant in Hokkaido this July, it marked the first time since around 2009 to 2010 that a Japanese company had produced cutting-edge semiconductor elements in Japan.
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