HIROSHIMA — Micron Technology broke ground on a major expansion of its semiconductor manufacturing complex in western Japan, marking a ¥1.5 trillion (about $9.3 billion) investment aimed at increasing production of advanced memory chips as global demand for artificial intelligence hardware continues to grow.
The U.S.-based memory chipmaker held a groundbreaking ceremony on July 4 at its facility in Higashihiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture. The project will add a new cleanroom dedicated to manufacturing next-generation dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) products, including high-bandwidth memory (HBM), which is widely used in AI accelerators and data center processors.
Micron said manufacturing equipment is scheduled to begin arriving in the second half of 2028, with production ramping up thereafter. The first phase of the expansion will include roughly 300,000 square feet (about 28,000 square meters) of cleanroom space, according to the company.
Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has approved financial support of up to ¥500 billion for the project under the government's semiconductor investment program, reflecting Tokyo's efforts to strengthen domestic chip production and supply chain resilience.
Micron President and Chief Executive Officer Sanjay Mehrotra attended the ceremony alongside Japanese Industry Minister Ryosei Akazawa, local officials and representatives from industry partners. In a company statement, Mehrotra said the investment would expand Micron's advanced memory manufacturing capabilities in Japan and support rising global demand for AI technologies.
Speaking after the ceremony, Akazawa said maintaining a stable semiconductor supply system was "extremely important" and indicated the government intended to continue supporting strategic investments in the sector.
The Hiroshima project represents Micron's largest cleanroom expansion at the site since its acquisition of Elpida Memory in 2013, according to the company. The facility has played a key role in the company's development of advanced DRAM technologies and earlier generations of HBM products.
The investment comes as memory manufacturers worldwide race to expand capacity for AI-related chips. Industry leaders, including South Korea's SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics, have also announced plans to increase production of advanced memory products amid sustained demand from AI infrastructure providers.
Micron is simultaneously expanding manufacturing capacity in the United States through new facilities in Idaho and New York as part of its broader strategy to increase long-term DRAM production. The company said the Hiroshima expansion would complement its global manufacturing network while reinforcing cooperation between Japan and the United States in semiconductor production.
