Micron To Invest $9.6 Billion In HBM Memory Plant In Japan
Credit: Micron Technology
Micron Technology Inc., a leading global memory manufacturer, plans to invest 1.5 trillion yen, or approximately $9.6 billion, in the construction of a memory chip factory in western Japan. The new factory is specifically designed to produce chips for artificial intelligence systems.
Micron is seeking to diversify its advanced chip production outside of Taiwan, Nikkei reports, citing sources familiar with the matter. The new plant will produce high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips, a key component in specialized AI accelerators like those made by Nvidia.
Construction will begin in May 2026 at Micron’s existing Hiroshima plant. Shipments of HBM chips from the new site are expected in 2028. Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry intends to subsidize the project with up to 500 billion yen ($3.2 billion).
Since 2021, Japan has allocated approximately 5.7 trillion yen ($36.5 billion) to rebuild and develop the semiconductor industry. The new supplementary budget, submitted by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s cabinet to the Diet, includes an additional 252.5 billion yen ($1.7 billion) to support AI and chip manufacturing. Authorities previously approved 774.5 billion yen ($4.9 billion) for the expansion of Micron’s Hiroshima facility and funded other projects, including TSMC and Rapidus fabs.
Micron’s decision to take on the project is part of a strategy to diversify its advanced semiconductor manufacturing capacity outside Taiwan, away from its reliance on TSMC and other Taiwanese suppliers amid heightened US-China tensions.
