EU, Japan to deepen chip cooperation - Breton
TOKYO, July 3 (Reuters) - The European Union (EU) will deepen cooperation with Japan on semiconductors, its industry chief said on Monday, as countries move to strengthen control over a technology vital for defence, electronic and automotive industries.
The EU and Japan will work together to monitor the chip supply chain and facilitate exchange of researchers and engineers, Thierry Breton said. The EU will also be supportive of Japanese semiconductor companies considering operating there, including through access to subsidies.
"We believe that it's extremely important to secure the supply chain of semiconductors," Thierry Breton told Reuters in Tokyo, where he is discussing cooperation on chips and artificial intelligence with the government and companies.
Japan is also offering subsidies to revitalise its chip industry, which retains an edge in materials and equipment but has lost overall global market share, and is backing chip foundry venture Rapidus.