Micron Technology is preparing a major expansion in Japan with a planned investment of around $9.6 billion to establish a next-generation memory chip manufacturing plant. The facility will be located in Hiroshima, strengthening Micron’s global footprint and supporting the rapidly growing demand for AI-optimized memory chips.
The new plant will focus on producing High-Bandwidth Memory (HBM) — a key component used in artificial intelligence systems, data centers, and high-performance computing. These chips are essential for powering modern AI models, cloud platforms, and advanced servers worldwide.
Construction is expected to begin in May next year, with Micron targeting 2028 for the first commercial shipments of its advanced HBM products. The project aligns with Japan’s strategic push to rebuild its semiconductor ecosystem and attract global chipmakers.
Japan’s government is likely to provide significant financial support, with subsidy plans reaching up to ¥500 billion. This funding aims to boost domestic semiconductor manufacturing and reduce reliance on foreign supply chains.
Micron’s expanding presence in Hiroshima also highlights a strategic shift to diversify production beyond Taiwan and stay competitive against industry leaders in AI memory technology. The new plant will play a crucial role in meeting rising global demand for high-performance memory used in AI training and inference workloads.
