Japan aims to regain semiconductor leadership

Article Abstract:

Japan's government and semiconductor manufacturers plan to spend between $500 million and $1 billion over the next five years on consortiums and cooperative research programs. the collaboration is an attempt to develop advanced technology as well as improve the competitiveness of Japan's semiconductor industry in the growing South Korean and American markets. American companies maintain some reservations about Japan's renewed competitive threat. American companies cite that all major semiconductor companies agreed to join Sematech, an American semiconductor industry consortium, with the notable exception of the Japanese companies. The Japanese companies contend that Sematech, which spent about $200 million a year until Oct 1996, when its federal financing ended, had a budget bigger than all Japanese programs combined. Japan's 10 largest semiconductor manufacturers make up the Semiconductor Industry Research Institute Japan, which began in 1994, and continues to plan the current projects.

Analysis, Forecasts and trends, Industry trend, International competition (Economics), Japanese Competition

---

Japanese seek to end semiconductor pact with U.S

Article Abstract:

Japan's Electronic Industries Association announces that it supports termination of the 1986 semiconductor agreement between Japan and the US, asking that the agreement not be renewed when it expires in Jul 1996. The Association goes on to say that the agreement has fulfilled its goal of increasing foreign market share to 20% of the semiconductor market and that the Japanese market is fully open, but the US says the market needs more opening up, a position that could lead to a trade dispute. Observers believe the Japanese government will back the Association, since the foreign share of the Japanese market reached 22.9% in 2nd qtr 1995, up from the 9% held in 1986. The Association states that foreign chips are 'indispensable to Japan' and further notes that strategic partnerships make trade conflicts less likely. The US Semiconductor Industry Association responds that more foreign chips should be used in telecommunications devices and cars in Japan.

Laws, regulations and rules, Contracts, Government Regulation

---

Deadline nears for renewal of chip pact; freer market in Japan reduces urgency for accord with U.S

Article Abstract:

The US and Japan are negotiating a renewal of the semiconductor trade agreement, which is scheduled to expire on Jul 31, 1996. The agreement was first signed in 1986 and was renewed in 1991. The agreement is credited with increasing the foreign share of Japan's semiconductor market from under 9 percent in 1986 to over 30 percent today. US companies account for over two-thirds of the foreign share of the market. The openness of the market makes the renewal less critical and industry observers expect the negotiations to continue up to the deadline. The negotiations are being held in Vancouver, British Columbia, where the two countries are also attempting to reach an agreement guaranteeing access to Japan's insurance market. Japan feels that the existing semiconductor agreement has fulfilled its purpose and believes the government should no longer be involved.

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: His goal: keeping the Web worldwide. On-line stars hear siren call of free agency. They let their fingers do the talking; keyboards blazing, net queens and kings rule the on-line forums
• Abstracts: Shoot first, E-mail photos to Grandma later; the newest digital cameras offer crisp pictures and can even cut out trips to the drugstore
• Abstracts: Computer fires confound Apple at crucial time. No sign of shift in talks on Apple-Sun merger. Apple vows to remain independent; quarter loss expected to exceed $69 million
• Abstracts: Apple Computer earnings fell 47.6% in latest period. Apple reports quarterly loss and sets layoffs
• Abstracts: LSI to unveil chip design for building inexpensive machines to access Internet. Internet users spooked about spies' new role

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.