A new Sony Group factory has been completed in Thailand that will manufacture semiconductors called image sensors needed for self-driving cars. As demand for semiconductors increases, foreign manufacturers are making investments in Southeast Asia one after another.
A commemorative ceremony was held on the 28th at the Sony Group's semiconductor manufacturing company's factory, which was completed in Pathum Thani province in central Thailand.
The factory will produce image sensors that identify obstacles needed for self-driving cars, as well as semiconductors used in data centers and technologies such as VR (virtual reality).
There is already a facility on the premises that produces semiconductors for smartphones, but the new factory will be expanded and will employ approximately 2,000 people, including engineers.
The company is also investing in a semiconductor factory in Japan, but in Thailand, the company will be responsible for processes called ``back-end processes'' such as semiconductor assembly.
Ken Matsuda, managing director of the local subsidiary responsible for operating the factory, says, ``We can expect demand for semiconductors to increase with the spread of automobile driving.We hope to continue increasing production capacity in the future.''
With the global increase in demand for semiconductors, overseas semiconductor manufacturers are actively investing in Southeast Asia. Global Foundries of the United States is building a new factory in Singapore, and Intel is building a new factory in Malaysia for approximately 1 Japanese yen. We plan to invest 1 trillion yen.