Tokyo Electron’s close ties with TSMC at risk after chip tech leak

Semiconductors

Incident may set back Japan tool maker in competition over top customer

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. is a crucial customer for Tokyo Electron. (Source photos by Nikkei)

HIDEAKI RYUGEN and RYOSUKE EGUCHI

TOKYO — A Taiwanese court’s finding that a former employee of a Tokyo Electron unit leaked confidential data from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. may undermine the relationship between the Japanese chip tool maker and a crucial customer with a key role in its technological development.