Japan's "semiconductor ban" on China has been officially implemented on July 23, which means that Japan will include 23 kinds of cutting-edge semiconductor manufacturing equipment into the scope of export control, in addition to the United States and other 42 friendly countries and regions, companies from other countries need to apply for permission from the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry if they want to import these equipment from Japan, and China is also on the restricted list.
This ban is consistent with strict restrictions on U.S. semiconductor exports to China, demonstrating Japan's close cooperation with the U.S. in the field of semiconductors, as well as Japan's hostile attitude toward China. How much impact will Japan's move have on China's semiconductor industry?How strong is Japan's semiconductor industry?What is the background and motivation for Japan's move?What will be the consequences of Japan's move?These questions are worthy of our in-depth understanding.
The 23 types of equipment covered by Japan's semiconductor ban are all critical equipment that is essential in the semiconductor manufacturing process, and they include:
Lithography machine: The equipment used to transfer the circuit pattern to the silicon wafer, is the core equipment of semiconductor manufacturing, and determines the performance and cost of the chip.
Ion implanter: A device used to change the electrical properties of the surface of a silicon wafer, which is an important piece of equipment for semiconductor manufacturing, affecting the function and stability of the chip.
Etching machine: The equipment used to remove excess material from silicon wafers, is a critical equipment in semiconductor manufacturing, affecting the precision and quality of chips.
Thin film depositioner: A device used to form an insulating, conductive, and protective layer on a silicon wafer, which is the basic equipment for semiconductor manufacturing and affects the structure and performance of the chip.
Chemical mechanical grinders: equipment used to level the surface of silicon wafers, which is necessary equipment for semiconductor manufacturing, affecting the reliability and compatibility of chips.
Electron beam machine: equipment used to manufacture high-precision masks, which is an auxiliary equipment for semiconductor manufacturing, which affects the complexity and efficiency of chips.
Alumina coating machine: The equipment used to coat photoresist on silicon wafers, is an auxiliary equipment for semiconductor manufacturing, and affects the clarity and uniformity of the chip.
Cleaning equipment: The equipment used to clean impurities and residues on silicon wafers is an auxiliary equipment for semiconductor manufacturing, which affects the purity and integrity of the chip.
Ion implantation equipment, chemical mechanical grinding equipment, thin film deposition equipment, electron beam ** equipment, chemical vapor deposition equipment, laser equipment, optical equipment, precision machining equipment, high-temperature furnaces, etc.: these equipment are auxiliary or complementary equipment for semiconductor manufacturing, which affects the performance and quality of chips.
The export restrictions on these devices will cause certain difficulties and pressures to China's semiconductor industry
Especially in high-end chip manufacturing, China also needs to rely on Japanese equipment and technology. However, this does not mean that China's semiconductor industry will be completely cut off, China also has its own semiconductor equipment and technology, although it is not perfect and mature, but with the support of the state and the efforts of enterprises, it is constantly catching up and innovating. China's semiconductor market is also the world's largest semiconductor market, and there is a huge demand and attraction for Japan's semiconductor equipment, and Japan's export restrictions will also damage Japan's own interests and competitiveness.
Japan's semiconductor industry is one of the most developed in the world, with a complete industrial chain and strong technical strength, especially in semiconductor equipment and materials, and has a pivotal position and influence. The development of Japan's semiconductor industry has gone through several stages:
From the 60s to the 70s of the last century, Japan's semiconductor industry imported technology and equipment from the United States, began its own research and development and production, mainly based on memory chips, and gradually occupied the share of the global market, forming a relationship of competition and cooperation with the United States.
In the 80s of the last century, Japan's semiconductor industry entered its heyday, not only maintaining a leading edge in memory chips, but also making breakthroughs in logic chips and analog chips, and at the same time reaching the world's leading level in semiconductor equipment and materials, especially in lithography machines, Japan's Nikon and Canon surpassed the GCA of the United States and became the world's largest lithography machine manufacturer, accounting for more than 70% of the global market.
In the 90s of the last century, Japan's semiconductor industry suffered a strong suppression and challenge from the United States, the United States accused Japan's semiconductor policy and industry behavior unfairly, and imposed high tariffs and sanctions on Japan's semiconductor products and equipment, while the United States also increased its own semiconductor research and development and investment, promoting the innovation and progress of semiconductor technology, especially in microprocessors, the United States Intel and AMD and other companies rose rapidly to regain market dominance. Japan's semiconductor industry has been hit hard, falling into a downturn and recession, entering the so-called "lost decade".
Since the beginning of the 21st century, Japan's semiconductor industry has undergone a series of adjustments and reorganizations, giving up direct competition with countries such as the United States and South Korea in memory and microprocessors, and instead focusing on its own advantageous fields, such as semiconductor equipment and materials, image sensors, power devices, radio frequency devices, etc.