Why rumors of Hynix's investment in Japan are emerging

‌TSMC originally planned to produce 6-12nm semiconductors at its second Kumamoto plant currently under construction, but has changed its plan to 3nm semiconductors.
While 3nm semiconductors are considered a core technology used in next-generation industries such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) data centers, autonomous driving, and robotics, they are not yet being produced in Japan. As semiconductors become more miniaturized, data processing capabilities and power efficiency improve, but because they require advanced technology, large-scale investment is necessary. Accordingly, the investment scale is expected to rise significantly from the $12.2 billion (approx. 17.83 trillion KRW) set for the 6-12nm production plan to $17 billion (approx. 24.84 trillion KRW).
The Japanese government, which previously decided to provide up to 732 billion yen (approx. 6.83 trillion KRW) in subsidies for TSMC's second Kumamoto plant, also views this plan as an opportunity to strengthen Japan's semiconductor production capacity and is reportedly considering additional support.
TSMC plans Japan's first '3nm' semiconductor mass production... Japan considers large-scale support | JoongAng Ilbo JoongAng Ilbo The Yomiuri Shimbun reported on the 5th that TSMC, the world's largest foundry (semiconductor contract manufacturing) company, has submitted a plan to the Japanese government to mass-produce Japan's first 3-nanometer (nm, one-billionth of a meter) semiconductors at its second Kumamoto plant. Originally, TSMC planned to produce 6-1...
Japan continues to woo TSMC, eventually attracting automotive semiconductor and image sensor legacy process foundries within Japan;
Sony and Denso are participating with low stakes, and while the total project investment cost is 10-11 trillion KRW, the Japanese government is supporting it with over 4 trillion KRW in subsidies;
This is not just tax benefits, but more than 4 trillion KRW in cash support, though conditions such as maintaining the plant for a certain period are attached to TSMC;
For the second Kumamoto plant, TSMC changed its plan to build a 3nm foundry, and Japan might provide even more than the 6 trillion KRW subsidy;
If it weren't for earthquakes, Japan offers better conditions than Korea or the US;
In TSMC's case, since the government provides about 35-40% of the total investment as subsidies, even Chey Tae-won (SK Hynix Chairman) would be tempted.