GK has the pleasure of speaking with Mr. Takahisa Amemiya, president of FICT Limited, about Japan’s edge in precision and reliability, the company’s forward-looking R&D in chiplet and glass substrate technologies, and how shifting semiconductor dynamics are shaping its global positioning. Read an excerpt from the interview below.
What gives Japan a competitive edge, and how does monozukuri manifest in your company?
Japan’s strength lies in high quality, reliability, and a deep-rooted takumi (artisanal) mindset. Our culture of continuous improvement and long-term R&D investment fosters innovation. Geopolitical shifts like decoupling from China and the rise of Southeast Asia urge us to reevaluate our semiconductor role. Japan still dominates key areas like materials and equipment, and we aim to strengthen our position globally.
How have recent semiconductor shifts affected your business?
While we haven’t seen direct effects yet, government-backed initiatives like Rapidus hold promise for the industry. Rising wafer costs push us to innovate, such as with chiplet-based designs. The shift could reshape domestic supply chains and benefit firms that adapt quickly.
What’s next in your technological roadmap?
We’re transitioning from organic to glass substrates to support high-density chiplet designs. Improving ALCS technology is key, as is tackling heat management and layering efficiency. The glass substrate field represents our next frontier in meeting future industry needs.
