Rapidus, a government-backed Japanese foundry, plans to work with 17 companies, including Toshiba, Dai Nippon Printing, Synopsys, Cadence Design Systems, Infosys, and Malaysian firms, to help potential customers design advanced semiconductors before manufacturing them, according to a source report.

The initiative aims to turn potential clients into foundry customers by addressing a shortage of advanced chip design personnel at those Japanese companies. Japan has also shifted support toward chip design.

Established in 2022, Rapidus aims to begin producing 2-nanometer semiconductors in the second half of fiscal 2027.

Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has approved 3 trillion yen (US$19 billion) in support, according to the source.

Rapidus also partners with IBM on its 2-nanometer effort, and the companies have reached a milestone toward scaling up production.

🔗 Source: Chosun Daily

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