The first Korean-built major chip production base in Japan is taking shape, according to a Hankyoreh report that put the project in the tens of trillions of won. SK hynix is the company behind the plan, which sources say centers on a memory fab in Miyagi prefecture.
Miyagi is one of three regions Japan is developing as semiconductor hubs, together with Kyushu and Hokkaido. An insider said SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won recently toured the area. Only two foreign chipmakers, Micron and TSMC, operate plants in Japan today, and SK hynix would join them, while Samsung runs just a packaging research center in Yokohama.
The Japanese project is designed to supplement the company’s planned clusters in Yongin and Honam rather than replace them. A relatively small plant would add overseas capacity while a global memory shortage keeps pressure on suppliers to secure new output.
Washington complicates the decision. The report noted that US pressure on Korean companies to invest in American fabs could intensify if the Miyagi project proceeds, forcing SK hynix to balance expansion plans across two demanding markets.
