Rapidus accelerates 2nm chip production, targeting chipmaking leadership by 2027
Japan’s Rapidus Corporation has reached an aggressive new milestone in the semiconductor arms race. As of late 2022, the Tokyo-based chipmaker has begun production of integrated circuits using 2-nanometer technology—a significant leap ahead of its targeted commercial deployment window of 2027. At a time when technological sovereignty, supply chain resilience, and chip miniaturization dominate global policy and industry shifts, Rapidus’s progress signals Japan’s renewed ambitions in advanced node manufacturing. In the coming sections, we break down what makes the 2nm node so crucial, how Rapidus compares against global competitors like TSMC and Intel, and what this early production milestone means for the broader tech ecosystem.
Why 2nm semiconductors matter in next-gen computing
Semiconductors built on 2nm process nodes promise revolutionary improvements in performance, power efficiency, and transistor density. As device demand grows—from AI workloads to next-gen gaming and mobile computing—moving to smaller nodes allows chips to run faster while using less energy. Compared to the current 5nm and 3nm standards used by industry leaders like TSMC and Samsung, the 2nm leap is projected to reduce power consumption by up to 25–30%, while squeezing in over 300 million transistors per square millimeter.
For PC gamers, creators, and tech enthusiasts, this advancement will soon trickle down to real-world benefits. Think faster GPUs, longer battery life on handheld devices, and unprecedented AI performance per watt. Major clients like Apple, AMD, and NVIDIA will be closely watching which manufacturer can deliver real 2nm chips at volume first.
Rapidus enters the global semiconductor race
Rapidus, founded in 2022 with backing from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and major Japanese tech firms like Toyota and Sony, is quickly positioning itself as a serious competitor to titans like TSMC, Samsung, and Intel. By achieving early production of 2nm integrated circuits—even with limited volume—the company marks a bold step in closing the gap with more established players.
Their roadmap aligns closely with Japan’s ambition to reclaim global leadership in semiconductor manufacturing, a position the country held in the 1980s and 1990s before losing ground to Taiwan and South Korea. Rapidus is leveraging technical cooperation with IBM, which pioneered 2nm research at its Albany research center, to accelerate development and process licensing.
Partnerships and process innovation fueling Rapidus
A key differentiator for Rapidus is its strategic partnership with IBM, which first showcased a viable 2nm wafer in 2021. This collaboration grants Rapidus access to foundational 2nm know-how, including nanosheet transistor designs and extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography techniques. Unlike traditional FinFET structures, nanosheet transistors allow even tighter control of channel widths—an essential benefit for sub-3nm performance scaling.
Further, Rapidus is investing in domestic lithography talent and advanced packaging solutions to drive innovation beyond simple die shrinking. This vertical integration resembles TSMC’s model, where synergy between wafer fab, chiplet, and packaging drives competitive advantage. The Hokkaido-based pilot fab, expected to go live in the next year, will be the testbed for optimizing 2nm yield and preparing for volume production by late 2026.
What this means for global tech supply chains
With geopolitical uncertainty and concentrated chipmaking in Taiwan, diversification of semiconductor production is increasingly important. The U.S., EU, and Japan are all investing billions to secure domestic chip supply chains, reduce single-point failure risks, and ensure access to leading-edge nodes critical for defense, AI, and cloud infrastructure.
If Rapidus succeeds in producing 2nm chips at scale by 2027, it would represent a paradigm shift. Japan would reenter the top tier of chip fabrication, giving global OEMs one more supplier option. This, in turn, could reduce lead times and production costs, especially for power-hungry sectors like high-performance computing and next-gen graphics card manufacturing.
Final thoughts
Rapidus’s move into 2nm territory isn’t just a technical achievement—it’s a geopolitical and industrial signal. The early production of 2nm ICs in Japan repositions the country as a serious player in future-facing chip innovation. With IBM’s research support, Japanese government funding, and a focused roadmap toward volume manufacturing by 2027, Rapidus could significantly alter the balance of power in semiconductor supply chains. Whether it can match the scale, yields, and pace of rivals like TSMC remains to be seen. For now, early adopters and tech investors should keep close watch on this rapidly rising chipmaker.
Image by: Raisa Milova
https://unsplash.com/@gleraisa