Rapidus, a Japanese contract chip manufacturer established in 2022, plans to begin mass production of 2nm chips in the second half of the 2027 fiscal year, ending in March 2028. The company intends to assist clients with chip design before moving to the manufacturing phase.
The initiative currently involves 17 partners, including both domestic and international firms. Japanese participants include Toshiba Information Systems, Dai Nippon Printing, Toppan, NSW, and MavissDesign. Global software providers Synopsys and Cadence are also supporting the project.
The program extends to partners in India and Malaysia, specifically involving Infosys. Rapidus aims to leverage these collaborations to expand its client base, as the company does not intend to offer manufacturing services using mature lithography processes.
The Japanese government is providing significant financial backing to support the company's development. Total state subsidies allocated to Rapidus are expected to reach $19 billion to help restore Japan's position in the semiconductor industry.
