A general view shows the new semiconductor plant by Japan Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (JASM), a subsidiary of Taiwan's chip giant TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company), in Kikuyo of the Kikuchi district, Kumamoto prefecture on February 14, 2024. (Photo by Philip FONG / AFP) (Photo by PHILIP FONG/AFP via Getty Images)Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company opened its first chip plant in Japan on Saturday as it diversifies supply chains away from Taiwan amid intensifying U.S.-China trade tensions. Paul You, chairman of First Securities Investment Corporation said last month that the global semiconductor industry including Taiwan's could be at risk from the U.S.-China chip war. Japan Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing Inc., the manufacturing company majority-owned by TSMC, began construction of the plant in April 2022. Japan has been striving to strengthen its semiconductor presence amid an intense rivalry with key chip making countries such as Taiwan and South Korea.

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Persons: Philip FONG, PHILIP FONG, Paul You, TSMC, JASM Organizations: Japan Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, AFP, Getty Images, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Nvidia, Apple, U.S, First Securities Investment Corporation, U.S ., Semiconductor Manufacturing Inc, TSMC, Sony Semiconductor Solutions, Denso Corporation, Samsung, Center, Strategic, International Studies Locations: Japan, Kikuyo, Kikuchi, Kumamoto prefecture, AFP, Taiwan, China, Europe, U.S, Kumamoto, South Korea