Micron Technology, Inc. today announced the commencement of construction on a new cleanroom at its Hiroshima plant in Higashihiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture. The facility will be constructed in phases, with the first phase covering approximately 300,000 square feet (approximately 28,000 square meters), strengthening Micron's advanced memory manufacturing capabilities in Japan. Fujita Corporation is the overall construction partner for the project, and the installation of manufacturing equipment is scheduled to begin in the second half of 2028 to meet the rapidly increasing demand for advanced memory driven by the expanding adoption of AI. The project is supported by a grant of up to 536 billion yen announced by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry on September 12, 2025, for research and development and manufacturing of advanced memory in Hiroshima.
Micron Technology President and CEO Sanjay Mehra, along with other executives, welcomed Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Ryosei Akazawa, former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Consul General of the U.S. Consulate General in Osaka-Kobe Richard Larsen, Director-General of the Commerce and Information Policy Bureau of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Satoshi Nohara, Governor of Hiroshima Prefecture Mika Yokota, Mayor of Higashihiroshima Hirotaka Takagaki, as well as customers, suppliers, and partners to the groundbreaking ceremony. This marks an important milestone for Micron's Hiroshima base and will further strengthen the U.S.-Japan semiconductor ecosystem.
As AI adoption expands across data center and edge workloads, demand for advanced DRAM and high-bandwidth memory (HBM) continues to grow. This Hiroshima project marks the largest cleanroom expansion at Micron's Hiroshima site since its acquisition of Elpida Memory in 2013, symbolizing the company's continued investment in Japan. This will enhance Micron's ability to launch future technologies across its global manufacturing and R&D network, further accelerating U.S.-Japan collaboration and public-private partnerships in memory innovation and strengthening the supply chain.
Manish Bhatia, Executive Vice President of Global Operations at Micron Technology, said, "As AI expands the demand for memory to unprecedented levels, Micron is strengthening its supply capacity across its global manufacturing network, which extends to key locations including Japan, while keeping its cutting-edge investments in the United States at its core. Micron's global manufacturing sites strengthen our customers' resilience, and Japan plays a vital role in that. We are deeply grateful for the continued support from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Hiroshima Prefecture, and Higashihiroshima City."
Shigeru Shiratake, Senior Vice President of DRAM Technology & Products at Micron Technology, stated, "Micron's Hiroshima site has facilitated key DRAM technology transitions, including the production of 1-beta (1β) DRAM and the introduction of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography technology for 1-gamma (1γ) DRAM. The Hiroshima team works closely with R&D teams in the U.S. and globally to play a key role in the development of advanced DRAM and HBM for next-generation AI."
Hiroshima Prefecture Governor Mika Yokota stated, "With the rapid expansion of demand for next-generation memory semiconductors due to the implementation of AI, we expect that the mass production of next-generation memory semiconductors at the Hiroshima Plant will not only ensure Japan's economic security but also contribute significantly to the revitalization of our prefecture's economy by strengthening and expanding supply chains within the prefecture and creating many jobs, as well as contributing to the strengthening of the semiconductor-related industry, which is an attractive cutting-edge growth industry for young people."
This project will deepen cooperation with Japanese suppliers, academic institutions, and local communities, further strengthening Micron's contribution to Hiroshima's semiconductor ecosystem. It is also expected to promote domestic and local procurement, expand business opportunities for local suppliers, and contribute to job creation throughout the surrounding supply chain and service ecosystem. In the future, this investment is anticipated to contribute to workforce expansion, including the creation of more than 1,000 jobs.
Micron plans to collaborate with Hiroshima Prefecture and Higashihiroshima City to support local community and ecosystem initiatives, including improving local infrastructure and livability, supporting workforce and talent development, and promoting broader local participation in the semiconductor supply chain. Together, these initiatives demonstrate Micron's long-term commitment to Hiroshima not only as a manufacturing base, but also as a partner contributing to the region's broader economic development and community resilience.