Japan's Rapidus reportedly plans second plant for 1.4nm chips

Japanese chipmaker Rapidus is reportedly planning a second semiconductor plant in Hokkaido.

The government-backed joint venture, involving Sony, Toyota, and IBM, aims to start construction in the 2027-28 financial year.

The new facility would focus on producing 1.4-nanometer chips by 2029, advancing from the 2-nanometer chips set for mass production at its first plant from 2027.

Rapidus said recent news about its 1.4nm factory is speculative and not based on official announcements.

Global competitors such as TSMC, Samsung, and Intel are also developing 1.4-nanometer chip technology, with TSMC expected to begin mass production around 2028.

Japan has increased its focus on semiconductor manufacturing amid concerns over stable chip supply and national security.

🔗 Source: Jiji

🧠 Food for thought

Implications, context, and why it matters.

High-NA EUV matters for Rapidus’s 1.4 nm plan by 2029

ASML, the Dutch lithography maker, sells High-Numerical Aperture (High-NA) Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) scanners that cost over $400 million, improve resolution, and cut multiple patterning versus lower numerical aperture (Low-NA) tools 1.
TSMC targets its A14 node, a 1.4 nm-class generation, with the Low-NA ASML NXE:3800E EUV scanner and plans High-NA for A14P around 2028, with wider use after 2030 2.
A 2029 volume run at 1.4 nm needs firm High-NA deliveries in 2027–2028, or heavy multi-patterning will slow cycle time and hit yield 1. Rapidus also must prove competitive 2 nm yields before moving up 3.
Rapidus’s IIM-1, its first fab in Chitose, will cost about $32 billion when fully built and equipped, and funding is not secured as Japanese banks hesitate to back a firm without a production record 4.

A second advanced fab would strain Hokkaido’s grid and open infrastructure work

Two EUV-heavy fabs running 24/7 need stable, high power 1. High-NA and other EUV tools still draw a lot of energy even after ASML cut power per wafer exposure by more than 60% since 2018 1.
Energy and battery storage firms can pursue planning and power purchase agreements. Construction and automation suppliers can prepare for the 2027–28 build window, as Japan’s 40,000-person engineer gap will raise automation demand 5 3. Chitose’s cluster has Rapidus’s IIM-1 with new offices by ASML and Tokyo Electron, opening room for logistics, chemical supply, plus technical services 3.