Asia Tech Wire (Oct 11) -- The Japanese government is exploring the possibility of contributing funds to Rapidus, a chip company that aims to mass-produce next-generation semiconductors by 2027, according to Kyodo News.

There is a program to exchange the factory built with government funds with the company's stock, the report said.

The Japanese government has decided to invest a total of 920 billion yen through the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) as a commission fee in the form of entrusting Rapidus to carry out next-generation semiconductor research and development.

Rapidus is building a factory in Chitose, Hokkaido, and plans to launch a pilot production line in April 2025.