This image is unrelated to the article. [123RF]
This image is unrelated to the article. [123RF]

Rapidus, the Japanese chipmaker backed by government subsidies to advance next-generation semiconductor production in Japan, has unveiled a plan to build a semiconductor factory on the surface of the moon.

Rapidus President Koike Atsuyoshi outlined the vision — to construct a lunar semiconductor factory around 2040 — during a lecture at the Hudson Institute, a US think tank, on Thursday, Yonhap said, citing Kyodo News.

"This is not a joke — it is a serious plan," Koike said, citing the presence of water resources on the lunar surface as one factor that could support semiconductor manufacturing there.

During the lecture, Koike also presented an AI-generated image of a factory on the moon's surface. "This is something Elon Musk — who is planning a business to transport people and cargo to the moon — would love," he said.

Kyodo News interpreted the lunar factory proposal, despite its formidable practical barriers, as an effort by the Rapidus president to inspire ambition among the company's young researchers.

'A latecomer can't afford to lose on price'

Meanwhile, Rapidus has been pressing ahead on multiple fronts, including a recent push to compete on price against TSMC, the world's largest foundry operator.

In July, Koike told a seminar organized by the Japan Productivity Center in Nagano Prefecture that once mass production capacity is in place, Rapidus would price its advanced semiconductors at or below TSMC's levels, Yonhap reported, citing Kyodo News and the Nikkei.

"We are entering the market as a latecomer, so we cannot afford to lose on price," Koike said, citing a reference price of 3 million yen ($19,400) to 3.5 million yen per wafer.

Japan's semiconductor industry was a dominant force in global markets through the 1980s, but it lost its technological edge to Taiwan and South Korea under pressure from US exchange rate policy, a strengthening yen, and shifts in the memory chip market.

The Japanese government has poured 2.354 trillion yen in subsidies into Rapidus to bolster the country's foundry competitiveness, according to Yonhap.

Rapidus is reportedly in negotiations with more than 60 overseas companies over contract chip manufacturing deals.


yul@heraldcorp.com