Tokyo: Micron Technology is planning to invest around 9.6 billion dollars to build a new artificial intelligence focused memory chip plant in Japan according to a report from Japanese newspaper Nikkei. The investment is expected to strengthen Japan’s semiconductor industry and increase the global supply of advanced memory chips used for AI systems.
The new plant is expected to be built in Hiroshima where Micron already operates. Construction may begin in mid 2026 and production could start in 2028 depending on approvals and final decisions. The facility will focus on high bandwidth memory which is used in data centers and AI training systems where large amounts of data must be processed quickly.
The Japanese government may support the project with subsidies of up to 500 billion yen as part of a national strategy to revive chip manufacturing. Japan has been working to attract global chipmakers to reduce supply chain risks and regain its position in the industry.
If confirmed this would be one of Micron’s largest investments in Japan and could increase competition with leading memory chip makers including SK Hynix and Samsung. Demand for high performance chips has risen sharply with rapid growth in artificial intelligence cloud computing and advanced digital services.
Micron has not yet made an official announcement and more details are expected once the government and company finalize agreements. Industry analysts say the project could play an important role in the future of global chip supply especially as governments and companies try to reduce dependence on a small number of manufacturing hubs.