Kyocera, Fujifilm join growing list of investors eyeing Rapidus

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Following megabanks' loan commitments, Kyocera, Fujifilm Holdings and others including Honda, Fujitsu and Canon are considering equity stakes in Rapidus to support its 2027 semiconductor mass production goals, targeting ¥130 billion in new private investments by March 2026.

Building on recent announcements of up to ¥2 trillion in loans from Japan's three megabanks and prior equity investments totaling ¥7.3 billion from firms like MUFG Bank, Toyota, Sony and SoftBank, additional Japanese companies are poised to bolster Rapidus.

Kyocera, Fujifilm Holdings, Honda Motor, Fujitsu and Canon are among those eyeing stakes, per sources. Other potentials include Nagase & Co., which supplies materials to Rapidus' Hokkaido plant, and Argo Graphics, a semiconductor software developer.

The three megabanks—MUFG, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking and Mizuho—plus the Development Bank of Japan plan up to ¥25 billion in new investments. Regional banks like North Pacific Bank and Higo Bank are also considering participation.

Japan's government has pledged around ¥1.7 trillion, including ¥100 billion last month, to spur private funding and enhance national semiconductor competitiveness via Rapidus' Hokkaido operations.

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On January 14, 2026, Japan's Nikkei stock average surged to a record high of 54,364.54. Speculation over a snap election by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi fueled hopes for expanded fiscal stimulus, while a weakening yen boosted exporters. Meanwhile, bond yields rose amid fiscal concerns.

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