Kirk here. This article discusses the impact of TSMC in Japan so the focus isn’t on Kumamoto. Still, if you’re interested, I think the article provides some context.
I saw a TV show in which they described how Japan went from being a major manufacturer of chips to being an importer. Now, Japan and other countries are trying to develop their own chip manufacturing sectors.
If you like podcasts, you may enjoy listening to the show the Throughline did on the growth of Taiwan’s “Silicon Island”:
