台积电日本厂，要做2nm？

Core Viewpoint - TSMC is considering changing the production technology for its Kumamoto second factory from the originally planned 6nm to a more advanced 4nm process due to declining demand in the automotive semiconductor market and increasing demand for AI-related products [1][2][4] Group 1: Construction Status - Reports indicate that the construction of the Kumamoto second factory has effectively stopped, with heavy machinery cleared from the site by early December [3] - TSMC's president of the Kumamoto factory, Yuichi Horita, stated that construction is still ongoing and that discussions with partners regarding the details and progress of the construction are continuing [1][3] Group 2: Production Plans - The first Kumamoto factory is set to begin mass production in December 2024, with a production cycle time comparable to TSMC's facilities in Taiwan, and is expected to employ 2,400 people, increasing to over 3,400 after the second factory starts production [1] - The second factory, initially planned to produce 6nm and 7nm chips, may now focus on 4nm technology, which is more suitable for AI semiconductors, reflecting a shift in market demand [2][4] Group 3: Market Dynamics - The demand for 6nm and 7nm chips has decreased, impacting TSMC's production capacity utilization rates at its main facility in Taiwan [3] - TSMC is also considering introducing advanced chip packaging technology in Japan, which is crucial for manufacturing AI chips, and there are discussions about potentially skipping 4nm technology altogether in favor of 2nm due to anticipated market shifts [4]