Japan’s biggest semiconductor makers from Toshiba to Sony are warning that the government’s push to revive its domestic chip industry is being threatened by a shortage of engineers.
The anticipated labour crunch comes as Japan works to increase investment in semiconductors as part of a drive to bolster its economic security in the wake of chip shortages caused by Covid-19 supply disruptions.
In an appeal to the ministry of economy, trade and industry last month, an electronics industry body said the five years until 2030 represented “the last and biggest chance for Japan’s semiconductor industry to regain its footing” after years of losing global market share.