Taiwan’s TSMC to launch Japan chipmaking plant in February

Taipei: Taiwan’s TSMC will formally open its new chipmaking foundry on Japan’s Kyushu island on February 24, its chairman said Thursday, which is part of their plan to expand its global manufacturing footprint.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company — whose clients include Apple and Nvidia — controls more than half the world’s output of silicon wafers, used in everything from smartphones to cars and missiles.

The company has in recent years had to navigate geopolitical tussles between the United States and China, as the two have faced off over a range of issues including technology imports, trade and Taiwan — the primary manufacturing base for TSMC.