Kioxia and Western Digital Receive 150 Billion Yen Subsidy for Cutting-Edge Semiconductor Production Facilities

Kioxia Corporation and Western Digital Corporation have announced that their joint venture manufacturing facilities in Yokkaichi and Kitakami have been approved to receive a subsidy of up to 150 billion yen. The subsidy will support producing the latest generation of 3D flash memory using innovative wafer bonding technology and future-generation advanced nodes.

As per Yahoo, this subsidy is part of a designated government program aimed at facilitating corporate investment in cutting-edge semiconductor production facilities and securing stable semiconductor production in Japan. It is the second time that Kioxia and Western Digital have received this subsidy from the Japanese government, following a previous approval for the Yokkaichi facility in 2022.

Strengthening the Joint Venture Partnership

Leveraging their over 20-year joint venture partnership, Kioxia, and Western Digital will continue to enhance the development and production capabilities of cutting-edge flash memory at the Yokkaichi and Kitakami plants in Japan. According to a press release, this partnership has been instrumental in creating category-defining products, such as the 3D flash memory that has revolutionized the NAND flash industry.

Appreciation for Government Support

Nobuo Hayasaka, President and CEO of Kioxia, expressed gratitude for the support of the Japanese government and emphasized the commitment to producing cutting-edge flash memory that underpins the expanding digital transformation of society. The subsidy will enable Kioxia and Western Digital to contribute to the advancement of the semiconductor industry and the development of local and domestic economies.

Acknowledging the Role of Memory and Data Storage Technologies

David Goeckeler, CEO of Western Digital, thanked the Japanese government for their ongoing commitment to Japan's joint venture flash memory manufacturing facilities. He highlighted the importance of advanced memory and data storage technologies in addressing a diverse and growing set of data-driven applications.

With this subsidy, Kioxia and Western Digital are poised to continue their leadership in the semiconductor industry and drive innovation in memory and data storage technologies. The support from the Japanese government further strengthens their joint venture partnership and positions them to meet the increasing demand for cutting-edge semiconductor solutions.

Photo: PR Newswire