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Construction on Rapidus' first plant is underway in Japan's northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido, with mass production slated for 2027. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Kyodo and Yuki Nakao) 
Business Spotlight

Rapidus: How a phone call from IBM reignited Japan's chip ambitions

Startup preparing to begin test production of high-tech semiconductors in April

RYOHTAROH SATOH, Nikkei staff writer | Japan

TOKYO -- Japanese startup Rapidus is preparing to begin test production in April of the country's most advanced chips ever, marking what will also be a crucial test of the nation's ambitions to push its semiconductor industry back onto the global stage.

And it all started with a phone call from American tech company IBM.

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