Rapidus，又要到钱了

Core Viewpoint - The Japanese government is considering investing in the semiconductor foundry Rapidus, with the condition of holding a "golden share" to exercise veto rights on important operational matters [3][4]. Group 1: Government Support and Funding - The Japanese government plans to invest 100 billion yen (approximately 1 billion USD) in Rapidus this fiscal year, alongside a total support package of about 1.72 trillion yen (approximately 12 billion USD) [4][8]. - Rapidus aims to achieve mass production of 2-nanometer (nm) chips by 2027, requiring an estimated total funding of around 5 trillion yen (approximately 35 billion USD) [4][8]. - Existing shareholders, including major companies like Fujitsu and Honda, have expressed interest in additional funding for Rapidus [4][5]. Group 2: Company Background and Market Position - Rapidus was established in August 2022, backed by eight major Japanese companies, including Toyota, Sony, and NTT [5][8]. - The company is in discussions with 40-50 potential clients, including major U.S. tech firms and AI chip startups, indicating a growing demand for alternative suppliers in the advanced semiconductor market [5][6]. Group 3: Technological Development and Production Strategy - Rapidus has initiated its 2-nm chip trial production line, utilizing advanced equipment, including a cutting-edge extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography system valued at over 300 million USD [6][10]. - The company plans to adopt a single-wafer processing method, which allows for customized chip production aimed at niche markets, contrasting with the mass production strategies of competitors like TSMC [9][10]. - Rapidus is implementing a new design-manufacturing collaborative optimization (DMCO) approach to enhance design speed and yield through AI-driven data analysis [10][11]. Group 4: Market Outlook and Competitive Landscape - The demand for 2-nm chips is expected to surge due to the anticipated growth in AI applications, with projections indicating a potential 30% reduction in power consumption compared to current leading-edge chips [11][12]. - Rapidus's timeline for achieving mass production by 2027 may lag behind industry leaders like TSMC, Intel, and Samsung, which are expected to begin large-scale production of 2-nm chips in the latter half of this year [9][11].