Impact of "Semiconductor and Digital Strategy" on the Automotive Industry

The Resurgence of Japan's Semiconductor Industry as a National Project

2022/03/17

Summary
Semiconductor policies in other countries
Japan's challenges, "30 lost years”, sluggish economic growth, and digital defeat
METI’s "Semiconductor and Digital Industrial Strategy”
Changes and challenges in the semiconductor business concerning the automotive industry
Competitive landscape/supply chain

Summary

The semiconductor industry is a top priority for growth strategies in countries around the world, and is attracting attention for its unprecedented investment and other factors. There are concerns that the current supply problems will affect the future of the automobile industry, and there has been a strong demand in Japan for more concerted efforts by the public and private sectors to ensure competitiveness.

The "Semiconductor and Digital Strategy," launched last year by the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) in conjunction with recent economic and security issues, shows a strong intention to break away from the stance of leaving the matter to the private sector due to a sense of crisis that there is no end in sight. Already, with the establishment of the Semiconductor and Digital Industry Strategy Review Conference by METI, three repeated exchanges of views with experts were held March 24, April 27, and May 19, 2021, and the discussion contents were released on June 4 of the same year. A 4th meeting was held on November 15, 2021 and budget deliberations appear to be progressing in parallel with the dissemination of information at various locations.

(Reference: Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry; Semiconductor and Digital Industry Strategy Review Conference　https://www.meti.go.jp/policy/mono_info_service/joho/conference/semicon_digital.html)

Based on the keynote speech “Semiconductor and Digital Industry Strategy” by Mr. Kazumi Nishikawa, Director of the IT Industry Division of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, presented at the keynote session "Resurgence of Japan's Semiconductor Industry: Promoting as a National Project" at NEPCON Japan 2022, this report will present the impacts and issues related to the automobile industry. NEPCON Japan 2022 was held simultaneously with Automotive World 2022 (January 19 - 21, 2022) in Tokyo.