April 21 news that TSMC and Sony joint venture fab, Japan Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (JASM) began construction, is expected to be completed in September 2023, and shipments will begin in December 2024.
According to the Business Times, the new plant is located in the second raw water industrial group in Kiyo-cho, Kumamoto Prefecture, with more than 10 large machines stationed, and construction began in light rain from about 9 a.m.
Regarding the construction of the new plant, YUICHI Horita, president of JASM, said that the Japanese market has customers with stable demand and many manufacturers of related industrial chains, so it has advantages in the supply chain. In addition, there are excellent human resources to look forward to.
According to previous reports, JASM will employ a total of 1,700 employees, including 300 from TSMC and 200 from Sony.
JASM was jointly established in November 2021 by TSMC and Sony Semiconductor Solutions (SSS). In February 2022, Denso announced plans to invest USD 350 million to purchase more than 10% of the foundry.
Previously, TSMC said that in addition to the previously announced 22/28nm process, it will also enhance JASM's capabilities through 12/16nm FinFET process technology.
According to the latest joint statement by TSMC and its partners, the Planned Monthly Capacity of the Kumamoto Fab has been increased from 45,000 to 55,000 12-inch wafers. Production at the plant is scheduled to begin by the end of 2024.