According to the report, Micron aims to begin construction at an existing site in May 2026 and expects shipments to start around 2028. Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry is reportedly providing up to 500 billion yen in support for the project. Reuters has not independently verified the report.
The move comes as Japan seeks to revitalize its semiconductor industry through subsidies and incentives aimed at attracting investment from foreign chipmakers, including Micron and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC). The government is also funding a separate plant for mass production of advanced logic chips using IBM technology.
Demand for HBM chips has surged due to the rapid growth of artificial intelligence and investments in data centers, making them a critical component in next-generation computing.
The Hiroshima expansion will allow Micron to diversify production away from Taiwan and better compete with market leader SK Hynix, the Nikkei noted, while strengthening Japan’s position in the global semiconductor market.