Asia Tech Wire (May 20) -- Japan's industry minister has expressed the government's intention to increase support for Rapidus, which is striving to localize next-generation semiconductors.

Ken Saito, Japan's Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI), visited Chitose, Hokkaido, on Sunday and inspected the construction of Rapidus' first advanced semiconductor plant.

After the inspection, he expressed interest in exploring increased support for infrastructure development in the neighborhood.

Construction is underway at the construction site for the startup of the pilot production line in April 2025.

Atsuyoshi Koike, CEO and President of Rapidus, described the progress of the construction, saying that it was going well and that it was about 30% of what the company needed to start the pilot production line.