[Micron Launches Over $9 Billion Chip Expansion Project in Japan, Betting on AI High-Bandwidth Memory Demand] Odaily Planet Daily News – On Saturday, Micron officially broke ground on its factory expansion project in Higashihiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The project involves a total investment of approximately 1.5 trillion yen (about $9.3 billion) to produce advanced memory chips tailored for the AI era. According to reports, the new production line will focus on manufacturing key chips such as high-bandwidth memory (HBM), which are critical components supporting the performance of AI processors like those from Nvidia. The related chips are expected to begin shipping as early as the summer of 2028. Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has provided subsidies of up to 500 billion yen for the project to strengthen domestic semiconductor manufacturing capabilities and enhance supply chain resilience. This expansion project is seen as a significant step in Japan's efforts to bolster its semiconductor manufacturing presence in the global AI chip competition. (Bloomberg)