In the midst of the Asian economic crisis and continuing falling chip prices, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd has established a wholly owned Japanese subsidiary. Until now, TSMC has been supplying the Japanese market from its headquarters in Taiwan and a branch office in Japan. Now, thanks to orders from the likes of Fujitsu Ltd, the company generates 11% of its sales from Japan, and believes it is necessary to establish TSMC Japan KK to cater for an anticipated sales increase. TSMC estimates Japanese sales will increase by around 30% annually until the country accounts for 15% of the company’s business by 2002. The Japanese subsidiary is Taiwan Semi’s third overseas corporation, adding to sites in the US and the Netherlands.
