中文關鍵字：
Rapidus株式會社；晶圓代工模式；市場追隨者策略；日本半導體產業競爭力
英文關鍵字：
Rapidus Corporation;semiconductor foundry model;market Follower;the competitiveness of Japan's semiconductor industry.
摘要：
日本半導體產業在1980年代至1990年代期間邁入全盛時期，日本半導體生產金額的全球占比曾達大五成以上，然而邁入2000年以後則逐步下滑，2022年全球占比更滑落到一成以下。探討日本半導體產業衰退的原因，除了兩次長達十年「美日半導體協定」所帶來的外部環境因素影響之外，更重要在於日本半導體廠商未確切掌握半導體產業「垂直分工化」發展趨勢來推動「技術世代快速更替的大規模投資化」，以至於必須在營收衰退下執行「輕資產化」策略，而加速生產規模的縮小。對此，日本政府在2023年6月提出的改訂版「半導體與數位產業戰略」中，除了透過補助制度來吸引台積電等海外半導體代工大廠赴日投資生產先進半導體製程之外，也鼓勵產業界於2022年8月共同設立Rapidus株式會社並給予補助，同時也促進其與LSTC以及IBM公司共同研發2nm以下的前瞻製程技術。Rapidus更追隨台積電等採行具備「垂直分工化」特質的「晶圓代工模式」來營運，打破過去日商較為封閉的「垂直整合」型態的營運模式。面對全球已成熟發展的晶圓代工產業，身為後進者的Rapidus是否能夠找到本身的生存之道並成長發展，將成為振興日本半導體產業的重要關鍵。本研究透過「市場追隨者策略」理論觀點來分析Rapidus發展動向，藉以探討日本重振半導體產業競爭力之可能策略及台日在先進半導體領域的合作方向。
Japan’s semiconductor industry reached its peak during the 1980s and 1990s, when Japanese semiconductor production accounted for more than 50% of global output. However, after entering the 2000s, this share steadily declined, falling below 10% by 2022. The causes of Japan’s semiconductor decline can be attributed not only to external factors such as the two long “U.S.-Japan Semiconductor Agreements,” but more critically to the inability of Japanese firms to effectively grasp the trend toward vertical disintegration in the semiconductor industry and to promote large-scale investments enabling rapid generational transitions in technology. Consequently, as revenues fell, Japanese firms pursued asset-light strategies, further accelerating the downsizing of production capacity.In response, Japan’s government revised its “Semiconductor and Digital Industry Strategy” in June 2023. In addition to using subsidy programs to attract leading foreign foundries such as TSMC to invest and produce advanced semiconductor processes in Japan, the government also encouraged domestic companies to jointly establish Rapidus Corporation in August 2022, providing it with financial support. Furthermore, it has promoted collaboration among Rapidus, LSTC, and IBM to jointly develop sub-2 nm process technologies. Rapidus has adopted the foundry model, characterized by vertical disintegration similar to that of TSMC, breaking away from Japan’s traditionally closed vertically integrated corporate structures.Given the already mature global foundry industry, whether Rapidus Corporation, as a latecomer, can identify its own pathway for survival and sustainable growth will be a key factor in revitalizing Japan’s semiconductor sector. This study applies the theoretical perspective of the “Market Follower Strategy” to analyze the development trajectory of Rapidus, thereby exploring potential strategies for restoring Japan’s semiconductor competitiveness and possible directions for Taiwan–Japan cooperation in the field of advanced semiconductors.
