In a significant move, India and Japan have solidified their partnership by signing an agreement to jointly develop the semiconductor ecosystem. The deal aims to bolster the resilience of the global supply chain, particularly in the crucial semiconductor industry. This marks Japan as the second Quad partner, after the United States, to join hands with India in this endeavor.
Diverse Scope of Cooperation
- The memorandum signed by Union Minister for Electronics and IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw, and Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry, Yasutoshi Nishimura, encompasses various areas of collaboration.
- These include semiconductor design, manufacturing, equipment research, and talent development.
- The ultimate goal is to enhance the semiconductor supply chain’s robustness and ensure its reliability.
Creation of an “Implementation Organization”
To facilitate efficient cooperation between the two nations, they will establish an “implementation organization.” This organization will foster government-to-government and industry-to-industry collaborations. By streamlining communication and coordination, both countries seek to expedite progress in the semiconductor ecosystem.
Japan’s Semiconductor Expertise
- Japan’s prominence in the semiconductor industry cannot be understated. With approximately 100 semiconductor manufacturing plants, it stands among the top five countries with a robust semiconductor ecosystem.
- As the semiconductor industry is projected to grow from USD 650 billion to a staggering USD 1 trillion, it necessitates significant talent growth across multiple locations worldwide.
- Japan recognizes India’s complementary strengths and envisions a mutually beneficial partnership.
Transferring Key Technologies to India
- The collaboration between Japan and India holds immense potential for India’s semiconductor ambitions.
- Japan boasts global leaders in critical semiconductor elements such as raw wafer materials, chemicals, gases, and lenses used in chip manufacturing equipment and display technologies.
- By transferring this valuable knowledge and expertise to India, both nations hope to achieve a momentous milestone in the semiconductor industry.