Japan seeks 150 billion yen more for Rapidus chip production plans
The fiscal 2027 proposal is intended to bolster the chipmaker’s finances and attract private capital ahead of planned 2-nanometre mass production.
- Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry is set to request an additional 150 billion yen for the chipmaker Rapidus in its fiscal 2027 budget.
- The funding is intended to support Rapidus's goal of beginning mass production of 2-nanometre semiconductors in fiscal 2027.
- This new request is in addition to 250 billion yen the government has already invested, and is part of a larger aid package designed to attract private and bank financing.
Japan is preparing another state investment in Rapidus Corporation, with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry set to request 150 billion yen for the chipmaker in its fiscal 2027 budget.
Details of the plan emerged on Monday (August 24, 2026).
Rapidus has set fiscal 2027 as the target for beginning mass production of semiconductors with circuit widths of 2 nanometres.
It plans to begin producing 1.4-nanometre chips at a later stage.
The proposed funds would be invested through the Innovation Platform Agency, Japan, following 250 billion yen already invested in Rapidus by the government.
The ministry believes the new injection would strengthen the company’s financial position and help draw additional private investment.
Research and development support forms another part of the public funding package.
The ministry has committed about 2.4 trillion yen in aid to Rapidus and is considering adding a further 300 billion yen.
Bank financing could contribute around 2 trillion yen.
Japan’s three megabanks, including MUFG Bank, plan to provide loans totalling roughly that amount, with the ministry guaranteeing about 80% of the loans.
More than 30 companies, including Toyota Motor Corporation and Canon Inc., have also agreed to invest over 160 billion yen in Rapidus.
[Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
