News On Japan

Japanese Semiconductor Giants Accelerate Development and Production of Power Semiconductors for EVs

TOKYO, Feb 06 (News On Japan) - As demand for power semiconductors used in electric vehicles (EVs) and other applications continues to rise, major Japanese semiconductor companies are accelerating their efforts to enhance development and production. Power semiconductors have been a strong suit for Japanese manufacturers, and strengthening this sector is becoming a crucial phase in enhancing their competitiveness globally.

In January, Mitsubishi Electric announced a new power semiconductor product that uses a durable and energy-efficient material known as SiC (silicon carbide). The new product is notable for its reduced size, shrinking to 40% of its conventional dimensions, which allows for the miniaturization of components installed in vehicles and is expected to extend the driving range per charge. Shinichi Kusunoki, the head of the Semiconductor & Device First Business Division at Mitsubishi Electric, stated, "To concentrate on the growing market, we are firmly launching products for automobiles."

Alternatively, Renesas Electronics has acquired an American company in January to move towards mass production of power semiconductors that use gallium nitride, a material with high energy efficiency. Additionally, Mitsubishi Electric, Fuji Electric, Toshiba, Rohm, and Renesas are planning to increase their production capacity from this year onwards.

Japan has traditionally excelled in power semiconductors, but as global demand increases, competition with international players, such as the leading German company Infineon, is intensifying. It is a critical moment to see if Japanese companies can enhance their competitiveness in the global market.

Source: NHK

News On Japan
POPULAR NEWS

A passenger car was captured speeding across the frame from left to right by a security camera just moments before a fatal crash in Iida City, Nagano Prefecture, that claimed the lives of four vocational school students.

A fire broke out on the evening of April 25th on an electronic billboard attached to the Yodobashi Camera commercial complex in front of JR Osaka Station, prompting a large emergency response. No injuries were reported.

Organic fluorine compounds known as PFAS—suspected to be harmful to human health—have been detected at concentrations exceeding the national provisional target in rivers and groundwater at 242 sites across 22 prefectures, according to a government survey.

The Japanese government will begin issuing blue tickets for bicycle traffic violations in April 2026, with fines including 5,000 yen for ignoring stop signs and up to 12,000 yen for riding while using a smartphone.

A 26-year-old woman was arrested in the early hours of April 24th in Kasuya Town, Fukuoka Prefecture, on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. While admitting to the offense, she claimed, "I ate chocolate that contained alcohol."

MEDIA CHANNELS
         

MORE Business NEWS

Construction of the Integrated Resort (IR) complex in Yumeshima, Osaka—adjacent to the site of the 2025 World Expo—began on April 24th, with plans to open the facility in five years.

Toyota Motor Corporation announced on April 24th that its global sales for fiscal 2024 totaled 10,273,719 vehicles, a 0.3% decrease from the previous year, marking the first year-on-year decline in four years.

Rice prices in Japan continue to soar, more than doubling from the same period last year, with no clear signs of easing despite the government’s decision to release stockpiled rice. The current situation—dubbed the “Reiwa Rice Crisis”—has drawn comparisons to past supply shocks, prompting public concern and debate over whether government intervention has come too late.

At the Shanghai Motor Show, which opened to the press on April 23rd ahead of its public run from April 27th to May 2nd, Toyota Motor Corporation revealed a series of new models, including a new electric vehicle, as it works to regain ground in the increasingly competitive Chinese market.

The average weekday lunch spending in Japan rose for the third straight year to a record 485 yen in 2024 -- a 7.3% increase from the previous year -- highlighting how inflation is reshaping workers' midday habits.

Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan has announced it will raise prices on 217 beverage products starting with shipments on October 1st.

The emergence of Taiwanese electronics giant Foxconn has become a key catalyst in the discussion of a potential Nissan-Honda merger. Having grown through iPhone production, the company is now pushing into the electric vehicle (EV) sector, led by a Japanese executive who once held top roles at major Japanese firms.

The average price of new condominiums in Greater Tokyo has marked a record high for a fourth straight year amid rising costs. (NHK)