Japan's three megabanks plan to provide loans totaling up to ¥2 trillion in stages from fiscal 2027 to Rapidus, aiming to mass-produce cutting-edge chips. This marks the first private-sector loan to the Japanese chipmaker. Government guarantees will support the effort to bolster the semiconductor sector.
Rapidus, a Tokyo-based chipmaker, aims to begin mass production of advanced semiconductors in fiscal 2027. The three megabanks—MUFG Bank, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking, and Mizuho Bank—will discuss loan details with the company and the Japanese government. They have submitted a letter of intent outlining the terms, with the government-affiliated Information-Technology Promotion Agency (IPA) expected to guarantee the loans.
MUFG Bank has already invested ¥300 million in Rapidus. In addition, the three banks along with the Development Bank of Japan are considering a combined new investment of up to ¥25 billion. The government has committed about ¥1.7 trillion to the chipmaker, including a ¥100 billion investment last month via the IPA. It plans to allocate another ¥1 trillion through investments and loans in fiscal 2026 and 2027, while seeking over ¥2 trillion in private-sector loans via debt guarantees and ¥1 trillion in private investments.
Current investors include MUFG Bank, Toyota Motor, SoftBank, Sony Group, NEC, NTT, Denso, and Kioxia, totaling ¥7.3 billion. These Japanese firms plan further investments, and companies like Fujitsu are considering new stakes. The funding is poised to accelerate Rapidus's production capabilities and strengthen Japan's position in the global semiconductor industry.
