2025.05.13
#Focus #Interview #Kyushu #Factory #Semiconductors #Mitsubishi Electric around the world Mitsubishi Electric Power Semiconductors Contributing to the Revival of Silicon Island
As the hub of Japan's semiconductor industry, Kyushu is once again making a name for itself as "Silicon Island." Mitsubishi Electric has been a pioneer in the power semiconductor field and continues to lead the industry. Can Mitsubishi Electric, from a semiconductor industry cluster garnering global attention, be the savior of Japan's energy problems? Let's take a close look at the forefront of power semiconductors that will light up the future.
Kyushu, once dubbed "Silicon Island" for its production of about 10% of the world's semiconductors, has been moving to reclaim its title in recent years. Mitsubishi Electric Corporation established its first semiconductor plant in Kumamoto, Kyushu in 1967. Today, the company continues to produce power semiconductors in Kyushu's Kumamoto and Fukuoka, efficiently converting electricity in a wide range of fields; from home appliances and rolling stock, to electric vehicles.
Mr. Kanda of the Kyushu Semiconductor & Digital Innovation Association (SIIQ) comments that Mitsubishi Electric has gained considerable knowledge and market credibility due to its ability to incorporate power semiconductors in its diverse products. SIIQ was established in 2002 as a parent body to promote industry-academia-government collaboration activities in the Kyushu semiconductor industry. In recent years, the company has been working with the Kyushu Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry to develop human resources and strengthen the supply chain in Kyushu, and Mitsubishi Electric Power Device Works has been actively participating in regional contribution activities, such as visiting schools and offering factory tours.
Kyushu's semiconductor industry saw its production value soar to a high level exceeding 1 trillion yen for the first time in 16 years. With 50% of Japan's semiconductors now being produced in Kyushu, many companies, both domestic and foreign, are proactively injecting capital investments into the region. Mr. Yamada of Power Device Works says that domestically produced power semiconductors are becoming increasingly important from an economic and energy security perspective.
Mr. Nakamura of the Marketing Research & Business Development Department at the Kyushu Branch Office, anticipates that the business of power semiconductor manufacturers in Japan will continue to see growth moving forward. The Kyushu Branch Office of Mitsubishi Electric Corporation currently provides products and solutions in a broad range of fields, from products familiar to people's everyday lives, such as elevators equipped with power semiconductors, to social infrastructure, such as industrial fields for factories and offices, and systems for electric power and rolling stock. Mitsubishi Electric Group, which is committed to sustainability at the executive level, will further accelerate "Trade-On (mutual benefits)" businesses that both solve social challenges and achieve business growth.
Power semiconductors have the potential to make a significant contribution to Japan's energy self-sufficiency. Mitsubishi Electric is committed to the future of power semiconductors and will continue to lead Kyushu's semiconductor industry.
INTERVIEWEE
Applied Technology Department
Power Device Works, Mitsubishi Electric
Junji Yamada
Joined Mitsubishi Electric in 1985. After working in the development and design of power semiconductor modules, he worked overseas and was involved in technical marketing and customer technical support. Currently, in addition to these duties, he provides lectures on power semiconductors and trains engineers.
INTERVIEWEE
Kyushu Semiconductor & Digital Innovation Association (SIIQ)
Makoto Kanda
Joined Mitsubishi Electric in 1980. After engaging in design of semiconductor manufacturing equipment and assembly/inspection processes, he was dispatched to SIIQ in 2020. He is involved in the development of the semiconductor industry in Kyushu by promoting human resource development and strengthening the supply chain in the Kyushu region through industry-academia-government collaboration.
INTERVIEWEE
Marketing Research & Business Development Dept.
Kyushu Branch Office, Mitsubishi Electric
Tsuyoshi Nakamura
Joined the company in 1992. From 2024, as a general contact for the Mitsubishi Electric Group, he has been promoting proposal activities to solve customers' challenges in the Kyushu area, where semiconductor-related companies are in the midst of factory construction/expansion rush.
