搞了半天，台积电的机密是日本偷的？

Core Points - TSMC, the leading global semiconductor foundry, is facing a significant scandal involving the alleged theft of its 2nm process technology, initially suspected to be linked to mainland China, but later investigations revealed connections to Japanese companies [1][3][4] - TSMC holds a market share of 67.6% in the semiconductor industry, with major clients including Apple, NVIDIA, and AMD, making its 2nm technology crucial for future competitiveness in smartphones and AI chips [1][2] Group 1: Incident Overview - TSMC reported unusual file access within its internal monitoring system, leading to a criminal investigation by Taiwan's prosecutors, resulting in the arrest of six individuals, including two current engineers and one former employee [3][4] - The arrested individuals allegedly used company-issued laptops to access confidential data and employed covert methods, such as photographing sensitive documents, to transfer information to Tokyo Electron (TEL) and Rapidus, two Japanese companies [6][4] Group 2: Implications for the Semiconductor Industry - The incident has shifted public perception, highlighting that technology leaks can occur between allies, not just adversaries, and raising concerns about the competitive landscape in the semiconductor sector [8][10] - Rapidus, a company backed by the Japanese government, aims to challenge TSMC and other industry leaders by producing 2nm chips by 2027, making the potential acquisition of TSMC's technology particularly advantageous for its growth [9][10] Group 3: Geopolitical Context - The semiconductor industry is increasingly viewed as a battleground for geopolitical interests, with the U.S. pushing for domestic chip production and Japan seeking to revive its semiconductor sector through initiatives like Rapidus [10][12] - The incident underscores the complexities of trust and competition in the semiconductor field, where even allied nations may engage in espionage to secure technological advantages [12][17]