Kyocera, Fujifilm Holdings and other Japanese firms are considering investing in Rapidus, which aims to mass-produce next-generation semiconductors, sources said Friday.
The new funding is expected to put the Japanese chipmaker on track to achieving its goal of securing about ¥130 billion in additional private-sector investments during the current fiscal year ending in March 2026.
Other companies eyeing stakes in Rapidus are Honda, Fujitsu and Canon, according to informed sources.
Possible new investors also include Nagase & Co., which transports semiconductor materials to Rapidus’ plant in Hokkaido, and Argo Graphics, which develops software for the semiconductor industry, the sources said.
In the financial sector, Japan’s three megabanks — MUFG Bank, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. and Mizuho Bank — plus the government-backed Development Bank of Japan will invest up to ¥25 billion in total in Rapidus. Among regional lenders, North Pacific Bank and Higo Bank are believed to be considering investments.
MUFG Bank, Toyota, Sony Group, SoftBank Corp. and four other Japanese companies have already invested a total of ¥7.3 billion in Rapidus. They are expected to make additional investments.
Rapidus aims to mass-produce state-of-the-art semiconductors from fiscal 2027.
Last month, the Japanese government, which has pledged about ¥1.7 trillion in support, decided to invest an additional ¥100 billion to encourage private-sector investments.
AloJapan.com