“技术差距仅剩1-3年，中国挑战日本功率半导体主导权”

Core Viewpoint - Japan's power semiconductor industry faces significant challenges from Chinese competitors, who are rapidly advancing in technology and pricing, threatening Japan's long-standing advantages in this sector [1][7][10]. Industry Overview - Japanese companies like Toshiba, Rohm, and Mitsubishi Electric have struggled to unify their efforts against the competitive pressures from China, despite the growing demand for power devices essential for electric vehicles and carbon neutrality [1][9]. - The power semiconductor market is critical for various electronic devices and is expected to see sustained growth in demand [1]. Competitive Landscape - Chinese firms have established comprehensive production capabilities in silicon and silicon carbide substrates, leveraging low energy costs and a large domestic market to grow rapidly [1][8]. - The technology gap between Japanese and Chinese companies in silicon chips is estimated to be only one to two years, and three years for silicon carbide [1][11]. Company Developments - Rohm and Toshiba reached an agreement to collaborate on manufacturing power devices, focusing on enhancing supply capabilities through complementary investments [1][12]. - Despite initial cooperation, substantial progress has been limited, with reports indicating that discussions for deeper collaboration have stalled [2][3]. Financial Performance - Rohm reported a net loss of 50 billion yen for the fiscal year ending March 2025, marking its first annual loss in 12 years, primarily due to challenges in the silicon carbide market and increased competition from Chinese firms [5][6]. - In the quarter ending June, Rohm recorded a net profit of 2.9 billion yen, a 14% year-over-year decline, prompting the company to cut back on underperforming manufacturing facilities and initiate voluntary layoffs [5]. Market Dynamics - The Japanese power semiconductor industry is characterized by fragmented market shares, with no single company holding more than 5% globally, complicating efforts for large-scale consolidation [3][9]. - Analysts emphasize that without collaboration, Japanese firms will struggle to compete against Chinese manufacturers, who are increasingly dominating the silicon carbide substrate market [10][11]. Government Initiatives - The Japanese government has attempted to foster industry cooperation by providing financial support to companies like Fuji Electric and Denso for capacity expansion, although the funding is significantly less than that allocated for other semiconductor projects [11][12].