TOKYO (Reuters): Japan’s industry ministry said on Tuesday it will offer around 45.2 billion yen ($307 million) in subsidies in an initiative to develop optical technology for use in chips to help boost the country’s semiconductor industry.
Participating companies include NTT (9432.T), opens new tab, NEC (6701.T), opens new tab, Furukawa Electric (5801.T), opens new tab, Shinko Electric (6967.T), opens new tab and Kioxia in consultation with Intel (INTC.O), opens new tab and SK Hynix (000660.KS), opens new tab.
The chip industry aims to harness light for sending signals, speeding up transmission and cutting power consumption.
“Hopefully (the technology) is a future game changer,” Japan’s industry minister Ken Saito told reporters.
The initiative comes as Japan strives to retain its edge in the chip industry and deepen partnerships with allied nations as China makes strides in advanced technologies.
