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Semiconductors and Semiconductor Design

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According to World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS), the global semiconductor market in 2005 reached a record high of USD 227.5 billion, and is expected to exceed USD 245 billion in 2006. The Silicon Sea Belt Zone – the semiconductor belt zone in Asia ranging from South Korea to Kyushu, Shanghai, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore – which includes Fukuoka Prefecture, is responsible for nearly 50% of all semiconductors produced globally, and this growth is expected to continue.

Since universities, research institutions and semiconductor design firms that boast top-level LSI design engineers and researchers are concentrated in Fukuoka, the area has huge potential in the future semiconductor market, a market that requires next-generation, high value-added products to be developed in short periods of time. Fukuoka is now growing rapidly as a development center of semiconductor design in the Asia region.

	Fukuoka has a wealth of excellent human resources that are critical to the next generation semiconductor industry. Over 6,000 students graduate annually from universities of science and technology, providing a base for employing skilled engineers. In addition, Fukuoka System LSI College, a technical training center staffed with top-line lecturers including professors from universities nationwide and engineers of major corporations, teaches students technologies and skills that can be immediately put to use at the work site through a curriculum focused on practical skills related to digital, analog and firmware design. The college teaches about 500 students annually including mainly corporate engineers, and has to date trained over 3,100 designers and engineers.
	Fukuoka is home to a vibrant semiconductor cluster comprised of research and development divisions of major semiconductor manufacturers such as Sony, NEC Electronics, Toshiba, Hitachi and Panasonic, as well as start-up companies with groundbreaking technologies. In turn, this cluster has led to active joint research and development between universities and companies. There is also a growing number of spin-off ventures and ventures launched from universities.
	Fukuoka also provides an energetic LSI market through a strong automotive industry and the growing percentage of electronics used in cars. Nissan Motor and Toyota Motor Kyushu factories are operating at full capacity and, with the addition of production at the neighboring Daihatsu Motor Kyushu plant, production output reached over one million in 2006. Meanwhile, following Toyota Motor Kyushu’s construction of an engine factory, Daihatsu Motor Kyushu has also decided to construct a new engine factory. It is certain that alliances with semiconductor firms will be vital to the production of next-generation cars.
	Fukuoka is promoting the Silicon Sea Belt Fukuoka Project, a partnership between about 200 semiconductor firms and universities, research institutions and government that aims to make Fukuoka a design and development center for high value-added LSI chips in the Asian Silicon Sea Belt Zone.

Support

Institute of System LSI Design Industry, Fukuoka

	The institute is a comprehensive facility dedicated to System LSI design that supports everything from personnel training and research and development to business implementation.	Institute of System LSI Design Industry, Fukuoka Test and Verification Lab
	The Fukuoka Laboratory for Emerging & Enabling Technology of SoC (FLEETS) and Kyushu University System LSI Research Center (SLRC) aim through cooperation between companies and universities to design and develop next-generation LSI chips so that results can be achieved in the market.
	The institute boasts the first open laboratory in Japan equipped with tools ranging from design tools to testing and verification tools. Small-to-medium-sized companies are allowed to use these tools at affordable rates.
	For companies conducting innovative research and development, the Institute issues subsidies of 20 million yen annually (maximum 2 years). There is also a system to finance the cost for trial production of LSI chips of up to 5 million yen.

Semiconductor Technology Marketing (STM)
STM is a nonprofit organization that assesses proprietary technology and market potential for companies through a team of researchers and engineers active in the semiconductor field. STM also introduces potential partners to companies depending on their needs. This is a particularly beneficial service for overseas companies planning to start business in Japan.

Major Companies

	Sony LSI Design Inc. Plans, designs and develops LSI chips; develops and designs CCD image sensors and CMOS sensors; develops and designs middleware, etc.
	Logic Research Co., Ltd. Concentrated design of LSI chips, fabless projects, etc.
	JM Technology Inc. Designs LSI chips, designs software and provides engineering services. Listed on Fukuoka Stock Exchange (Q Board) in November 2004.
	Aldete Corporation Tests semiconductor devices, provides verification services, etc.
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