American chipmaker Micron Technology is set to invest a large US $9.6 billion to build a next-generation memory chip plant in western Japan.The new factory will be built in Hiroshima, on the grounds of Micron’s existing facility. Construction is expected to begin in May 2026, with production and shipments of high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips slated to start around 2028.
The plant aims to produce advanced HBM chips — a critical component for powering AI processors and data-centre workloads. With rising demand for AI and machine-learning infrastructure globally, such memory chips have become essential. The investment also reflects a strategic shift by Micron to diversify manufacturing outside Taiwan, reducing concentration risk and strengthening global supply chains.
The Japanese government will support the project with subsidies — reportedly providing up to 500 billion yen — as part of efforts to revitalize the country’s semiconductor manufacturing capabilities. The move underscores growing global efforts to ramp up AI-ready semiconductor supply, and signals that Japan aims to play a key role in the next phase of AI infrastructure build-out.
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