The Dutch lithography machine giant ASML plans to increase the number of employees in Japan from the current 500 to approximately 700 by 2030, a growth of 40%. This adjustment is aimed at coping with the rapid expansion of Japanese semiconductor production, including the construction of JASM Kumamoto’s second wafer factory, the upcoming launch of Rapidus Chitose’s 2nm factory, and the expansion of Micron’s Hiroshima plant. Currently, ASML’s office in Chitose has expanded to a staff of 50 and it is evaluating expanding its operations in Kumamoto Prefecture. Data shows that ASML’s sales in Japan reached 1.2 billion euros in 2025, a year-on-year increase of about 40%, highlighting Japan’s dual strategic position in ASML’s sales and technology supply chain. ASML officials noted that Japan is not only an important sales market but also a key region for supporting technological innovation and the supply chain.
ASML plans to increase its Japanese workforce to 700 by 2030, deeply integrating with Japan’s semiconductor expansion efforts.
Coverage · reports per dayLANGUAGE SPLIT
Entity relations
Integrated timelineUNIFIED TIMELINE
2026-09-07
ASML plans to expand its Japanese workforce to 700
ASML plans to increase its Japanese employees from 500 to approximately 700 by 2030, with a 40% increase. The Chitose office has been expanded to 50 employees, and the Kumamoto business is being evaluated. Sales in Japan are expected to reach 1.2 billion euros in 2025.
The Dutch lithography machine giant ASML plans to increase the number of employees in Japan from the current 500 to approximately 700 by 2030. This move is aimed at responding to the rapid expansion of Japanese semiconductor production, including the construction of JASM Kumamoto’s second plant, the upcoming launch of Rapidus Chitose’s 2nm plant, and the expansion of Micron’s Hiroshima plant. ASML’s Chitose office has been expanded to 50 employees, and it is evaluating expanding its operations in Kumamoto. In 2025, ASML’s sales in Japan reached 1.2 billion euros, a year-on-year increase of about 40%, highlighting Japan’s dual strategic position in sales and technology supply chains.
ASML plans to increase the total number of employees in Japan from 500 to approximately 700 by 2030, a growth of 40%. Fujihara Shojiro, head of ASML’s Japanese branch, said that the staff size at the Chitose office has expanded from 25 in the initial stage to 50, and they are considering expanding operations in southern Kumamoto Prefecture. ASML’s sales in Japan are expected to reach 1.2 billion euros by 2025, a year-on-year increase of about 40%. Japan’s semiconductor production capacity is gradually increasing; JASM’s Kumamoto Second Wafer Factory has started construction, Rapidus’ Chitose 2nm Wafer Factory will be operational soon, Micron is expanding its DRAM factory in Hiroshima, Kioxia announced the Fab3 plan in Hokkaido, and Sony and TSMC established an AVSM joint venture. Fujihara Shojiro said that Japan is not only ASML’s sales market but also an important market for supporting technological innovation and supply chains.