Micron Technology intends to invest ¥1.5 trillion, roughly $9.6 billion, to build a new memory-chip factory focused on AI in western Japan.
The plant will fabricate HBM chips, which are key components of AI and high-performance computing.
Construction should start in May 2026, while production and shipment are targeted at around 2028.
The global semiconductor industry is changing rapidly, driven by an unprecedented boom in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and data-center expansion. As AI models become increasingly complex, demands for faster and more efficient memory solutions-especially high-bandwidth memory-have greatly increased. HBM has become a critical enabler for training advanced AI models, running data-intensive applications, and enabling high-performance computing capabilities. Those that can scale the production of HBM are well-positioned to lead in the next wave of semiconductor innovation.
Micron Technology has been a cornerstone in the memory-chip industry for years, with substantial fabrication in Japan. At its Hiroshima facilities, famous for their high-tech DRAM technologies, Micron has materially grown its business over the years. Over the last couple of years, the company has been aggressively investing in advanced node fabrication technologies, including EUV lithography, to support the next-generation memory chip manufacturing process. Setting up a new, HBM-focused plant in Japan reflects Micron’s intention to deepen its technological footprint and align it with soaring global AI demand.
Meanwhile, Japan has been aggressively rebuilding its semiconductor manufacturing capabilities. A once-dominant force in the global chip market, the country suffered a long period of decline in the face of overseas competition. Since 2021, however, major subsidy programs have been initiated by the Japanese government to attract foreign chipmakers, strengthen domestic innovation, and guarantee the stability of supply chains. Micron’s proposed project represents a major boost to this national revival strategy.
From a strategic standpoint, the geographical stability of Japan, its high-tech industrial base, and close partnership with a range of technology companies around the world create a very favorable manufacturing base. With the Hiroshima plant, Micron is building on an already-established network, furthering supply chain diversification that is critical as geopolitical tension rises in other strong semiconductor development regions.
This focus on HBM production also falls in line with the broader global trends, as AI companies, cloud-service providers, and chipmakers are ratcheting up efforts to secure long-term supplies of high-performance memory chips. Given that demand is expected to outstrip supply over the next several years, Micron’s investment positions it to become a dominant supplier for AI infrastructure. The scale of the project, though yet to be officially confirmed, represents a major step forward for both Micron and Japan. If completed, the plant would reinforce Japan’s semiconductor ecosystem and global supply resilience and position Micron as a critical pillar in the AI-driven future of memory technology.
