KIKUYO, KUMAMOTO PREF. –
While the local economy has been boosted by the full-scale launch of operations at Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC)’s first Japan plant a year ago, residents remain concerned about its impact on groundwater.
The world’s largest contract chipmaker kicked off full-scale operations at the plant in Kikuyo, Kumamoto Prefecture, in December last year. Construction of the company’s second Japan plant, located next to the first plant, started in October this year for operations set to start at the end of 2027.
The first plant pumps up to 7,500 metric tons of groundwater per day as it requires a large amount of water to clean wafers and other materials. Combined with the second plant, the amount of necessary water is expected to reach about 8 million metric tons a year.