Editor profile
Editor, Robotics & Automation
Aiko Yamamoto covers the robotics industry and industrial automation in Japanese manufacturing. She explores how smart technology is reshaping production efficiency and labor dynamics.
aiko.yamamoto@japantechreview.comJapan has world-leading semiconductor materials, precision equipment, and manufacturing processes, yet its GDP has experienced a decade-long contraction. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the structural reasons behind this paradox: the demographic ceiling, defensive management inertia, and the gap in converting technology into value capture.
The Japanese government is investing billions of dollars to support Micron's expansion of its DRAM factory in Hiroshima. This move is not only to attract foreign investment but also a core measure of Japan's semiconductor revival strategy, aimed at restructuring the domestic manufacturing ecosystem and enhancing technological competitiveness.
Reflecting on Japanese Corporate Mindset Limitations from Global AI Application Trends: From Efficiency Replacement to Systemic Restructuring
Based on the June 2026 issue of Automotive World magazine, analyze Japanese automakers' hybrid strategies, autonomous driving investments, and global market challenges in the wave of electrification.
TSMC's net profit in 2025 reached $54.55 billion, with AI and high-performance computing driving sustained high demand for chips, and global semiconductor manufacturing competition entering a new phase.
As MiniMax prepares for a mainland China listing, it disclosed stronger overseas revenue, growth in enterprise customers, and the launch of a new model. This is not only a financing move, but also reflects how Chinese AI startups are shifting from a “model race” to pursuing commercialization, capitalization, and globalization in parallel.