Dutch semiconductor equipment manufacturer ASML announced that it will significantly expand its operations in Japan over the next four years. By 2030, the number of employees in Japan is planned to increase from the current 500 to approximately 700, a growth of 40%. The office located in Chitose City has expanded from 25 employees at the beginning to 50 employees, and further expansion of operations in southern Kumamoto Prefecture is also considered. Fujihara Shojiro, head of ASML’s Japanese branch, said that Japan is not only an important sales market for ASML but also a key region for supporting technological innovation and supply chains. Current data shows that ASML’s sales in Japan reached 1.2 billion euros in 2025, a year-on-year increase of about 40%. At the same time, domestic semiconductor production capacity in Japan is gradually increasing, including the commencement of the JASM Kumamoto Second Wafer Factory and the upcoming launch of the Rapidus Chitose 2nm Wafer Factory, providing an industrial backdrop for ASML’s market expansion.
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 beginning to 50 now, and they are considering expanding operations in southern Kumamoto Prefecture. Japan’s semiconductor production capacity is gradually increasing, with the construction of JASM’s Second Wafer Plant in Kumamoto and the upcoming launch of Rapidus’ 2nm wafer plant in Chitose. Data shows that ASML’s sales in Japan will reach 1.2 billion euros by 2025, a year-on-year increase of about 40%. Fujihara Shojiro said that Japan is not only ASML’s sales market but also an important one for supporting technological innovation and the supply chain.