Expert Perspectives: Inside Japan's Semiconductor Boom: How Texas Instruments Is Leveraging Technology, Long-Term Opportunities, and Talent

Luke Lee
President of Japan, Korea, Taiwan and South Asia
Texas Instruments

February 2026

As global semiconductor supply chains undergo structural realignment, Japan is re-emerging as a pivotal market for innovation, manufacturing, and long-term investment. The country's deep industrial base, highly skilled workforce, and strong public-private collaboration are drawing renewed attention from global technology leaders seeking stable growth and advanced technology partnerships.

Texas Instruments (TI), a global leader in analog and embedded processing semiconductors headquartered in the United States, is a prime example of how multinational companies can translate their commitment to Japan into strategic advantage. With more than five decades of continuous operations in the country, TI's Japan presence demonstrates how global semiconductor companies can leverage Japan's industrial strengths to support innovation, supply-chain resilience, and global competitiveness.

Texas Instruments' relationship with Japan is rooted in longevity and trust. "TI Japan has been an integral part of TI's global presence since 1968, reflecting more than five decades of commitment to local innovation, technology development, and customer support," says Luke Lee, President of Texas Instruments (TI) Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and South Asia.

That sustained presence has enabled TI to build deep ties across Japan's semiconductor ecosystem. The company operates wafer fabs in Miho and Aizu, along with a packaging center in Hiji, providing proximity to customers and ensuring operational excellence as demand for advanced semiconductor technologies continues to grow across multiple sectors.

"Japan's industrial, automotive, and enterprise markets need innovative analog and embedded technologies, and our locally rooted expertise enables us to make a meaningful impact for customers in these sectors," Lee says.

Beyond serving domestic customers, TI's Japan site plays a critical role in the company's global technology and manufacturing strategy. "Our Japan site drives innovation in power, analog and embedded processing technologies, all fields where TI continues to lead worldwide," explains Lee.

A defining milestone is TI's Aizu manufacturing site, which has become central to the company's strategy for gallium nitride (GaN), a crucial semiconductor input. "Our Aizu factory became TI's second site to produce a complete portfolio of GaN-based power semiconductors—building on TI's more than a decade of expertise in GaN chip design and manufacturing," says Lee.

This highlights Japan's contribution to next-generation power technologies. "This achievement, led by our Japanese team in close collaboration with global counterparts, reflects the contribution of Japan in enabling high-power, energy-efficient solutions for our customers," Lee explains.

Japan's semiconductor industry is distinguished by its depth and specialization, particularly in materials, equipment, and components that underpin global manufacturing.

For TI, this ecosystem aligns closely with its focus on quality, reliability, and system-level performance. "Building on this foundation, we leverage our deep technology leadership to help customers create systems that deliver greater efficiency, reliability, and overall impact," Lee says.

This alignment has become increasingly important as semiconductor customers prioritize long-term reliability over short-term optimization. Japan's mature industrial base and disciplined manufacturing culture support this shift, making the country a natural partner for companies seeking sustained innovation rather than cyclical expansion.

Access to a skilled workforce is another factor shaping TI's long-term confidence in Japan. "Japan offers a highly skilled talent pool and an advanced industrial ecosystem that aligns well with TI's technology and manufacturing excellence," says Lee. He adds that TI's approach to talent development emphasizes early engagement and structured career pathways. "We continue to attract and retain top engineering talent by engaging the next generation early and meaningfully."

Programs such as internships and professional development initiatives support this strategy. "One example is our internship program, where more than 2,000 students globally each year receive hands-on, meaningful project experience that builds their technical and professional skills," Lee explains. For new graduates, he adds, "Our Career Accelerator Program offers structured technical training, on-the-job learning, and professional development designed to help them build confidence and succeed in their career."

TI sees Japan as a source of durable demand across multiple application areas. "Our customers in Japan span a wide range of industries, with a particular focus on automotive, power/GaN and embedded systems solutions," Lee says.

Automotive remains a key growth engine, while demand for energy-efficient power solutions continues to expand. Lee adds, "Our power/GaN solutions boost power efficiency, reduce energy consumption, and enhance performance across applications from robotics and data centers to personal electronics."

These trends underscore Japan's role in enabling the next phase of semiconductor-driven innovation, particularly in areas such as energy efficiency, automation, and advanced mobility.

TI's experience illustrates how Japan functions not only as an important market, but also as a strategic platform for global operations. By combining advanced manufacturing, skilled talent, and supply-chain reliability, Japan supports both innovation and resilience in a dynamic, global environment.

Through sustained investment and collaboration, TI has embedded Japan into its worldwide technology and manufacturing strategy, demonstrating the advantages of operating in an environment where industrial maturity, technological excellence, and long-term vision converge.

For global semiconductor companies, Japan offers more than scale. It offers reliability, partnership, and a foundation for innovation that extends far beyond national borders.