More about TSMC-Sony Fab in Japan

Nikkei Asia: TSMC is evaluating plans to build a plant in Kumamoto Prefecture, in western Japan, four people told Nikkei Asia. The facility would be near one of Sony's plants and help meet growing demand for image sensors, automotive microcontrollers and other chips, they said.

"TSMC is considering a proposal by the Japanese government to build an advanced chip factory in Japan, though it has not yet fully committed and finalized [the plan]," one of the sources said.

According to the tentative plan for the Kumamoto facility, TSMC would build a 12-inch fab able to switch between different processes, including 28nm and 16nm.

If built, the plant would be near Sony's factory in Kumamoto, according to the four people familiar with the matter. However, TSMC will likely own and run the factory independently to avoid any conflicts of interest, two sources said.

"One of the key reasons for TSMC to pick this location is because its large Japanese client Sony has a plant there," an executive-level source familiar with the plans said.

Meanwhile, a hybrid bonding equipment manufacturer Besi presents Sony/TSMC Japan capex investment of $9.2B, possibly for the Kumamoto fab, stated as "<20nm fab" in the last row of the table below: