最先端半導体支援へ２４００億円　キオクシアなど、三重と岩手の工場―経産省

　経済産業省は６日、半導体大手キオクシア（東京）と米ウエスタンデジタルが共同で行う三重県四日市市と岩手県北上市での最先端半導体フラッシュメモリーの生産に対し、新たに最大約１５００億円を支援すると発表した。決定済みの四日市工場への助成と合わせ、支援額は最大約２４００億円に上る。
　両社は約７２００億円を投じ、最先端品を生産する。半導体フラッシュメモリーは、自動車やデータセンターなどに使われ、需要拡大が見込まれている。政府は経済安全保障上、最先端半導体の重要性が増していることから、補助金によって国内での安定供給のための拠点整備を後押しする。（2024/02/06-12:16）

Japan's industry ministry said Tuesday it will provide up to 150 billion yen in fresh aid for joint state-of-the-art flash memory production at two plants in the country by major Japanese chipmaker Kioxia Corp. and U.S. peer Western Digital Corp.
   The total amount of the ministry's aid for the two factories will reach a maximum of about 240 billion yen.
   Kioxia and Western Digital will invest about 720 billion yen to manufacture advanced flash memory chips. Demand is expected to grow for such chips, used in products such as automobiles and for data centers.
   The ministry's decision comes as the Japanese government aims to secure stable chip supplies at home as state-of-the-art semiconductors are becoming increasingly important for economic security.
   The new aid will support flash memory production at the plants in the city of Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture, central Japan, and the city of Kitakami, Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan. Specifically, it will cover one-third of some 450 billion yen in the chipmakers' investment for producing advanced 3D flash memories, whose shipments from the two factories are expected to start in September 2025 at the earliest.