Japan's Prime Minister Kishida Fumio wants to ramp up government support for domestic chip production. He intends to enact legislation to boost private sector production of cutting-edge semiconductors.

Kishida on Wednesday visited a new factory being built by Japanese chipmaker Rapidus, located in northern Chitose City in Hokkaido. He spoke with its chairman Higashi Tetsuro.

The firm is funded by companies including Toyota Motor, telecom giant NTT and Sony Group. It aims to produce next-generation chips essential for AI and self-driving cars.

Kishida said there was solid progress. He said, "We need to continue expanding domestic investment in AI and semiconductors."
Kishida added that the government needs to secure funds to boost support for private-sector production and research. He said the funding was needed over multiple years, and that his administration would submit bills for it as soon as possible.