日本厂商，争霸2nm

Core Viewpoint - Japanese semiconductor giants are intensifying capacity expansion to prepare for the upcoming demand for advanced chip processes from 2025 to 2030, aiming to counter competitors like Samsung and SK Hynix [2][4]. Group 1: Investment Plans - Tokyo Ohka Kogyo (TOK), JSR Corporation, and ADEKA have announced multi-billion yen investment plans to enhance their production capabilities in the semiconductor supply chain [2]. - TOK is investing 200 billion yen to build a photoresist plant in Korea, with production expected by 2030, and an additional 120 billion yen for a high-purity chemical plant [2]. - JSR's aggressive timeline includes the production of MOR-type photoresist in Korea by the end of next year, ahead of TOK's schedule [3]. Group 2: Market Dynamics - Japan holds a dominant position in the photoresist market, with over 91% global market share, and TOK alone controls 25.1% of the market, with 45.9% in advanced EUV photoresist [2]. - The demand for high-end photoresists is expected to surge due to the rapid growth in AI chip requirements, with SK Hynix's capital expenditure increasing by 75% this year [3][4]. Group 3: Strategic Importance of MOR Photoresist - MOR (Metal Oxide Resist) has become a core choice for EUV lithography, offering advantages such as 33% lower material costs compared to traditional resists, excellent performance in resolution and edge roughness, and reduced material waste [6]. - SK Hynix has confirmed the use of MOR for its 1x nm DRAM process, indicating its commercial viability [6]. Group 4: Long-term Industry Forecast - The global semiconductor market is projected to reach $1 trillion by 2030, with advanced process chip demand hitting record highs [8]. - Japanese companies are expected to maintain their monopoly on EUV photoresists until at least 2030, despite emerging competitors from China [8]. Group 5: Impact on Industry Ecosystem - Japan's investment in photoresist production will strengthen Korea's position as a global semiconductor manufacturing hub, enhancing the competitiveness of Samsung and SK Hynix [10]. - The localization of high-end materials will improve cost structures and reduce reliance on single-country supply chains, while also increasing Japan's influence in the semiconductor materials value chain [10]. Group 6: Conclusion and Outlook - The current wave of investment by Japanese photoresist giants signifies a shift in the semiconductor industry towards competition over upstream material supply chains rather than just manufacturing processes [12]. - This trend serves as a warning to emerging players, emphasizing the necessity of breakthroughs in material technology to avoid being constrained by upstream supply issues [12].