Photo/Illutration The first plant in Japan operated by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. in Kikuyo, Kumamoto Prefecture (Kanako Tanaka)

KIKUYO, Kumamoto Prefecture--Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., the world’s largest contract chipmaker, opened its first factory in Japan on Feb. 24, heralding a “renaissance” of the nation’s semiconductor industry.

Morris Chang, the TSMC founder, and economy minister Ken Saito were among dignitaries who attended the opening ceremony here.

The plant covers about 210,000 square meters, more than four Tokyo Domes.

Mass production of logic semiconductors with line widths between 12 and 28 nanometers will begin this autumn.

Chang referred to the “renaissance” of the Japan’s semiconductor industry during the ceremony.

TSMC will begin construction of a second plant in Kumamoto Prefecture this year, with plans to begin production there by the end of 2027.

Total investment by TSMC for the two plants will come to around $20 billion (about 2.9 trillion yen).

The central government will also provide a subsidy of around 1 trillion yen.