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Kumamoto Prefecture Designated as a "Connected and United Special Zone" with TSMC's Entry, Pushing for the Attraction of Foreign Semiconductor Talent
- Writing language: Korean
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- Base country: Japan
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Summarized by durumis AI
- The Japanese government has designated Kumamoto Prefecture as a national strategic special zone to support the entry of TSMC, a major Taiwanese semiconductor manufacturer, aiming to promote the attraction of foreign talent and establish a semiconductor industry hub.
- TSMC completed its first factory in Kumamoto Prefecture in December 2023, and plans to build a second factory in the future, making Kumamoto Prefecture a potential new semiconductor center in Japan.
- Kumamoto Prefecture anticipates positive effects in various fields such as regional economic revitalization, job creation, and attracting foreign talent through TSMC's entry, but there are also challenges that need to be addressed, such as traffic congestion, land conversion for industrial use, and environmental issues.
The Japanese government designated Kumamoto Prefecture as a national strategic special zone on June 4, aiming to establish a hub for semiconductor-related industries, fueled by the entry of TSMC, a major Taiwanese semiconductor manufacturing company. This designation will make Kumamoto Prefecture a "Special Zone for Industrial Hub Formation and Connected Ties," paving the way for smoother attraction of foreign talent through streamlined visa processing for foreigners.
Following TSMC's entry, Kumamoto Prefecture has witnessed a concentration of related industries, making securing workforce a critical task. The influx of foreign talent is on the rise, and the recent designation as a national strategic special zone is expected to further accelerate the attraction of foreign talent.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida stated, "We have designated Miyagi and Kumamoto Prefectures as national strategic special zones to address labor shortages and collaborate in forming industrial hubs centered around semiconductors."
This designation will shorten the visa processing time for foreigners working in semiconductor-related industries from the current approximately three months to about one month. At a regular press conference in May, Ichiro Kimura, the governor of Kumamoto Prefecture, strongly expressed his commitment to expanding the scope of this initiative, stating, "We want to create a Kumamoto Prefecture that foreigners choose, not just for the semiconductor industry."
TSMC, the world's largest semiconductor foundry, completed its first factory in Kikuyō, Kumamoto Prefecture, in December 2023. The project, with an investment of approximately 1.29 trillion yen, is expected to create 1,700 jobs. TSMC also plans to build a second factory in Kumamoto Prefecture, positioning Kumamoto as a new semiconductor hub in Japan.
Kumamoto Prefecture anticipates substantial economic benefits from TSMC's presence. Positive impacts are projected across various sectors, including regional economic revitalization, job creation, and increased consumption of local products. However, challenges associated with TSMC's entry, such as traffic congestion, land acquisition, and environmental issues, are emerging. Kumamoto Prefecture is working to address these challenges.
Kumamoto Prefecture is expected to leverage TSMC's entry to drive regional economic growth, attracting foreign talent, implementing various initiatives that leverage local strengths, and striving to transform into a "livable city."