TSMC opens first chip plant in Japan for Sony and Renesas

KUMAMOTO, Japan/TAIPEI -- Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. has inaugurated its first plant in Japan, paving the way for it to begin making smartphone and auto-related chips for top local clients Sony and Renesas by the end of this year.

Ken Saito, Japan's minister of economy, trade and industry, and hundreds of Japanese chip industry leaders gathered in Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, for the opening ceremony on Saturday afternoon, along with TSMC Chairman Mark Liu, CEO C.C. Wei and founder Morris Chang.