JEITA JSIA Semiconductor Board
The global economic and industrial landscape is undergoing profound transformation. Rising geopolitical uncertainties, increasing emphasis on economic security, the restructuring of global supply chains, and intensifying competition in advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) have elevated semiconductors beyond the boundaries of a single industry. Today, semiconductors are a strategic foundation supporting national competitiveness, economic growth, and societal resilience.
AI is accelerating technological innovation across a wide range of fields, including data centers, cloud computing, robotics, autonomous mobility, and industrial automation. As digital and physical domains become increasingly interconnected, semiconductors serve as the essential enabling technology that underpins this transformation.
At the same time, the rapid expansion of AI-driven computing demand is creating new requirements for higher performance and greater energy efficiency. Semiconductors are expected not only to power the digital economy but also to contribute to a more sustainable society through continuous innovation.
In recent years, Japan has made significant progress in revitalizing its semiconductor industry through collaboration among industry, government, and academia. Efforts to strengthen manufacturing capabilities, advance research and development, develop talent, and foster regional industrial clusters are beginning to yield tangible results.
To date, much of the focus has rightly been placed on strengthening supply capacity. This remains essential from both economic and national security perspectives. However, strengthening supply capacity alone will not be sufficient to ensure Japan's long-term competitiveness.
The next phase should place greater emphasis on creating demand and generating value through semiconductors.
The opportunities enabled by semiconductor technology continue to expand across AI, communications, cloud computing, mobility, and industrial automation. Japan should aspire not only to be a nation that manufactures semiconductors, but also a nation that creates value through semiconductors.
Achieving this vision will require more than manufacturing excellence. It will require continued investment in talent development, design and engineering capabilities, software and AI integration, and the creation of an ecosystem that continuously generates innovation. Japan's technological strengths and manufacturing expertise must be translated into new industries, services, and solutions that contribute to economic growth and help address societal challenges.
The competitiveness of the semiconductor industry cannot be achieved by individual companies alone. It depends on the collective strength of an ecosystem encompassing materials, equipment, design, manufacturing, software, user industries, talent, and public policy.
Guided by this perspective, the Semiconductor Committee (JSIA) will continue to address issues of common interest across the industry and provide leadership on challenges that cannot be solved by individual companies acting independently. Through policy recommendations, talent development, regional revitalization, international collaboration, and standardization initiatives, JSIA will contribute to the sustainable development of Japan's semiconductor industry.
JSIA will also strengthen cooperation with semiconductor industry associations worldwide and contribute to the sustainable growth of the global semiconductor ecosystem through international frameworks such as the World Semiconductor Council (WSC) and the Government/Authorities Meeting on Semiconductors (GAMS).
Together with its member companies and stakeholders, JSIA is committed to advancing Japan's position not only as a nation that creates semiconductors, but also as a nation that creates value through semiconductors.
Japan's future competitiveness will be defined not only by its ability to manufacture semiconductors, but by its ability to create value through them.
We sincerely appreciate your continued support and cooperation.
August 2026
Shuhei Shinkai Chairperson, Semiconductor Board (JSIA) Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA)
