SemiconductorsChip titan will switch to 3-nm node, helping Japan secure stable supply of powerful productsTSMC paused construction of its second plant in Japan's southern prefecture of Kumamoto late last year and has now decided to use it to make more advanced chips than originally planned. (Photo by Toshiki Sasazu)HIDEAKI RYUGEN and KOSUKE KONDOFebruary 5, 2026 12:02 JSTUpdated on February 5, 2026 13:45 JSTTAIPEI/KUMAMOTO, Japan -- Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. will produce semiconductors for artificial intelligence at its new plant in Kumamoto, Japan, the company announced on Thursday, in a change from its original plan of only producing less powerful chips at the facility.
TSMC to make advanced chips for AI at 2nd Japan plant
Chip titan will switch to 3-nm node, helping Japan secure stable supply of powerful products
TL;DRAI
TSMC will produce AI chips at 3-nm node at its second Kumamoto plant instead of older nodes, reducing Japan's dependency on Taiwan's main foundry. Japan gains critical semiconductor supply resilience amid surging AI infrastructure demand and geopolitical risk.
103 words~1 min read
