Posted on 10/06/2023 3:56:33 AM PDT by FarCenter
Construction of Taiwanese chipmaker TSMC’s new semiconductor factory in Kumamoto on the Japanese island of Kyushu is progressing rapidly and may be ahead of schedule, according to Japanese media reports. This progress stands in marked contrast to TSMC’s factory project in the US state of Arizona, which is about a year behind schedule.
The difference comes down to the structure of the investments, corporate culture and social expectations, raising questions about the disconnect between US policy and East Asian priorities.
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Construction of TSMC’s first factory in Kumamoto began in April 2022 and has been running flat out ever since. According to the Japanese media, hundreds of TSMC technicians have been dispatched from Taiwan to manage the project and hundreds more from TSMC’s suppliers will follow. In addition, TSMC has so far trained more than 300 Japanese workers in Taiwan.
Installation of equipment in Kumamoto is scheduled to begin this month and should be completed by next spring. Production appears likely to start before the end of 2024 deadline.
Meanwhile, in the US, progress has been delayed by what TSMC calls a shortage of skilled workers. That shortage has been aggravated by bureaucratic red tape and local labor unions that oppose the use of imported workers.
The labor unions have also complained about poor organization, lax safety standards and unreasonable working hours. American media reports extensive use of non-union migrant and out-of-state workers.
The Biden administration’s vocal support for unionized labor may be one reason for the problem. Last December, Biden said, “The reason why business should be hiring union folks, if you don’t mind my saying, is simple: They’re the best in the world. They’re the single-greatest technicians in the world.”
Europeans, Japanese, South Koreans and Chinese might beg to differ. Whatever the reasons, TSMC has postponed the start of commercial production in Arizona from 2024 to 2025.
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I would guess the biggest concern for TSMC is control of intellectual property more so than 300-500 jobs.
Corporate espionage is a big business…
I live in Kumamoto !
Meanwhile, these same unions support the regime that promotes unlimited importation of unskilled non-worker parasites from third world $#*+holes.
The asian management style is pretty draconian. Just look at how the Japanese treated POW’s. Establishing the operation in Japan makes more sense.
I live in a Boston suburb.
How do you like living in Kumamoto?
My wife is a Kumamoto native which is one reason why we ended up here . Lived for 21 years in mountains of Aso county where I taught junior high school . We moved into a new home in Kumamoto city 7 years ago . So obviously don’t dislike Kumamoto ,but to be honest there are other places in Kyushu I’d rather live .
They DO expect results, but are far less likely to saddle you with PC bull$**+.
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