STPI researchers visited the SEMICON Japan in December 2024 to gain insights into the latest advancements in semiconductor manufacturing equipment, materials, and technological trends as a reference for future sci-tech policy planning. This annual exhibit is held at the end of each year in Tokyo, and in 2024 it was taken place at Tokyo Big Sight. The exhibit covers a wide range of fields, including semiconductor equipment, materials, wafer manufacturing and packaging technology, testing and measurement equipment, microelectronics manufacturing and design, MEMS and sensor technology, LED and lighting technology, as well as various smart applications—encompassing nearly the entire semiconductor manufacturing process.
(Above) The SEMICON Japan 2024 in Tokyo Big Sight
With the theme "The Future of Semiconductors is Here," SEMICON Japan 2024 featured over 1,100 participating companies and organizations and hosted more than 40 keynote speeches and panel discussions. The event gathered senior executives and technical experts from major international semiconductor companies and research institutions. In the opening speech, it was noted that following IoT and AI, the semiconductor industry is expected to experience significant breakthroughs driven by quantum technology, potentially reaching a trillion-USD market by 2040. However, challenges such as demographic shifts, energy supply stability, and restrictions in greenhouse gas emission must be addressed. Ensuring a skilled workforce and promoting industry sustainability require collaboration across academia, industry, and international partnerships.
A key takeaway from SEMICON Japan 2024 was the growing concern over global uncertainty, particularly the rising risks associated with geopolitical tensions and their potential impact on supply chains, highlighting the industry's current era of uncertainty.
(Above) Opening Speech
The event placed great emphasis on talent development in the semiconductor industry. Japan’s strategies for talent acquisition, domestic and international industry-academic collaboration, and research and development practices were shared, offering valuable insights for Taiwan's semiconductor talent development. Additionally, the event addressed sustainability, diversity and inclusion, providing forward-thinking perspectives on net-zero emissions policies. Attendees also gained insights into Japan’s initiatives to increase female participation in the semiconductor industry.
The information gained from this event will assist policymakers in making policies that align more closely with global technological trends to accelerate the connection between technological innovation and market demand and support the advancement of the semiconductor industry.
(Above) SEMI Sustainability HUB and Corporate Efforts on Sustainability