日本电源芯片，难以抗衡中国

Core Viewpoint - Japan's power semiconductor industry is facing significant challenges from emerging Chinese companies, despite Japan's historical dominance in traditional power semiconductors. The lack of unified efforts among domestic manufacturers is hindering progress in the industry [2][12]. Group 1: Industry Dynamics - Japan is investing billions in AI chip manufacturing, but its power semiconductor sector, which includes major players like Mitsubishi Electric, Fuji Electric, Toshiba, Rohm, and Denso, struggles with market shares below 5% each [2][10]. - Power chips are crucial for various applications, including electric vehicles and energy management, and advanced power chips can significantly enhance energy efficiency, which is vital for Japan, an island nation that relies on 90% of its energy imports [2][3]. Group 2: Company Collaborations - Toshiba and Rohm have engaged in two rounds of cooperation talks, with the first focusing on manufacturing collaboration and the second on broader business activities, including R&D and sales. However, substantial progress has been elusive, and negotiations have reportedly stalled [3][4]. - Rohm invested 300 billion yen (approximately 2 billion USD) in Toshiba as part of a larger privatization deal, aiming to strengthen their relationship due to complementary strengths in electric vehicle and industrial product segments [3][4]. Group 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, attributed to a slowdown in the electric vehicle market and intense competition from Chinese firms [4][5]. - For the quarter ending June 30, Rohm's net profit was 2.9 billion yen, a 14% decline year-over-year, prompting the company to cut back on underperforming production facilities and offer voluntary retirements [5][8]. Group 4: Competitive Landscape - Chinese companies are increasingly capable of producing complex power chip products, including entering the silicon carbide (SiC) substrate market, which is essential for electric vehicles. Their competitive pricing is supported by lower energy costs [9][11]. - The vertical integration model traditionally favored by Japanese firms is being challenged by Chinese manufacturers, who focus on process specialization, leading to greater efficiency and cost competitiveness [11][12]. Group 5: Future Outlook - The Japanese semiconductor industry is urged to unite to enhance competitiveness against Chinese firms, as individual companies struggle to achieve the necessary cost efficiencies [12][13]. - The Japanese government is promoting collaboration within the industry, with financial commitments to support alliances aimed at increasing production capacity and competitiveness [13][14].