Japan to offer $300 mln for optical chip tech development

Furukawa Electric Co

30/01/2024 04:17

By Sam Nussey and Miho Uranaka
       TOKYO, Jan 30 (Reuters) - Japan's industry ministry said
on Tuesday it will offer around 45.2 billion yen ($307 million)
in subsidies in an initiative to develop optical technology for
use in chips to help boost the country's semiconductor industry.
    Participating companies include NTT  9432.T , NEC  6701.T ,
Furukawa Electric  5801.T , Shinko Electric  6967.T  and Kioxia
in consultation with Intel  INTC.O  and SK Hynix  000660.KS .
    The chip industry aims to harness light for sending signals,
speeding up transmission and cutting power consumption. 
    "Hopefully (the technology) is a future game changer,"
Japan's industry minister Ken Saito told reporters. 
    The initiative comes as Japan strives to retain its edge in
the chip industry and deepen partnerships with allied nations as
China makes strides in advanced technologies. 
    
    ($1 = 147.4200 yen)

 (Reporting by Sam Nussey and Miho Uranaka; Editing by Tom
Hogue)
 ((sam.nussey@tr.com;))