Memory chip business to rely more on select customers: SK Group chairman
TOKYO -- The AI memory chip business is becoming more specialized but also more reliant on a small number of "locked-in" customers, according to SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won.
SK Hynix, the South Korean group's chip company, has made a name for itself amid the artificial intelligence boom as the primary supplier of high bandwidth memory (HBM) chips to Nvidia of the U.S.
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Japan Times
34 minutes ago
- Japan Times
U.S. may target Samsung, Hynix and TSMC operations in China
The U.S. Department of Commerce is considering revoking authorizations granted in recent years to global chipmakers Samsung, SK Hynix and TSMC, making it more difficult for them to receive U.S. goods and technology at their plants in China, according to people familiar with the matter. The chances of the United States withdrawing the authorizations are unclear. But with such a move, it would be harder for foreign chipmakers to operate in China, where they produce semiconductors used in a wide range of industries. A White House official said the United States was "just laying the groundwork" in case the truce reached between the two countries fell apart. But the official expressed confidence that the trade agreement would go forward and that rare earths would flow from China, as agreed. "There is currently no intention of deploying this tactic," the official said. "It's another tool we want in our toolbox in case either this agreement falls through or any other catalyst throws a wrench in bilateral relations." Shares of U.S. chip equipment makers that supply plants in China fell when the Wall Street Journal first reported the news earlier on Friday. KLA Corp dropped 2.4%, Lam Research fell 1.9% and Applied Materials sank 2%. Shares of Micron, a major competitor to Samsung and SK Hynix in the memory chip sector, rose 1.5%. A TSMC spokesman declined comment. Samsung and Hynix did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Lam Research, KLA and Applied Materials did not immediately respond, either. In October 2022, after the United States placed sweeping restrictions on U.S. chipmaking equipment to China, it gave foreign manufacturers like Samsung and Hynix letters authorizing them to receive goods. In 2023 and 2024, the companies received what is known as Validated End User status in order to continue the trade. A company with VEU status is able to receive designated goods from a U.S. company without the supplier obtaining multiple export licenses to ship to them. VEU status enables entities to receive U.S.-controlled products and technologies "more easily, quickly and reliably," as the Commerce Department website puts it. The VEU authorizations come with conditions, a person familiar with the matter said, including prohibitions on certain equipment and reporting requirements. "Chipmakers will still be able to operate in China," a Commerce Department spokesperson said in a statement when asked about the possible revocations. "The new enforcement mechanisms on chips mirror licensing requirements that apply to other semiconductor companies that export to China and ensure the United States has an equal and reciprocal process.' Industry sources said that if it became more difficult for U.S. semiconductor equipment companies to ship to foreign multinationals, it would only help domestic Chinese competitors. "It's a gift," one said.
Yomiuri Shimbun
19 hours ago
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Japan-S. Korea Leaders Meeting: Prevent Bilateral Cooperative Relations from Going Backward
The security environment in Northeast Asia is becoming ever more severe. The free trade regime is also at a crossroads due to the impact of U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff policy. It likely can be said that Japan and South Korea share common challenges in terms of security and economic policy. If relations between the two countries deteriorate again, they will not be able to overcome their predicament. The need to deepen cooperation between the neighboring countries has grown significantly. In Canada, where the summit of the Group of Seven advanced nations was held, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, who took office this month, met for about 30 minutes. It was their first in-person meeting. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ties between Japan and South Korea. Based on that, the two leaders reached an agreement on deepening communication toward the stable development of Japan-South Korea relations. They also agreed on a policy of continuing reciprocal visits by the leaders. Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol had significantly improved relations between the two countries. The solution Yoon worked out to the issue of lawsuits regarding former wartime requisitioned workers from the Korean Peninsula has been accepted by many parties involved. In addition, in defense cooperation between Japan, the United States and South Korea, as well as between Japan and South Korea, a mechanism for the immediate sharing of information on North Korean missiles has been established among the three countries. Many have highly praised the diplomatic skills of Yoon, who had looked squarely at the security environment. Lee, however, has criticized such responses by Yoon as being a 'diplomacy of humiliation toward Japan.' In the past, he also has called Japan a 'hostile state.' During his recent presidential election campaign, Lee did not communicate such messages. However, the Japanese side was wary that he might rehash historical issues between the two countries at the meeting with Ishiba. In the end, Lee expressed his desire for 'better relations in a future-oriented manner' at the meeting. In the face of the worsening security environment, Lee may have judged it better to maintain relations with Japan for the time being. In the past, there have been many South Korean presidents who have initially taken a conciliatory stance toward Japan when they took office but then touted their 'anti-Japanese' stance when their approval ratings declined. It remains to be seen whether Lee will be able to maintain his position on Japan. North Korea has sent soldiers to Russia, which is engaged in aggression against Ukraine, and in return has received assistance in missile technology and other areas. Expanded military cooperation between Russia and North Korea is a threat to Japan and South Korea. Japan and South Korea are also similar in that they are vulnerable to Trump's tariff measures due to their large auto exports to the United States. There may be approaches in which the two countries, as allies of the United States, can cooperate through their measures against U.S. tariffs. People traveling between the two countries reached a record high of over 12 million last year. It is hoped that mutual understanding between the people of the two countries will be deepened through continued exchanges. (From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 20, 2025)
Yomiuri Shimbun
19 hours ago
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Ishiba Calls for Close Communication with S. Korea; 2 Countries Celebrate 60th Anniversary of Diplomatic Ties
The Yomiuri Shimbun Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks during a ceremony to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the normalization of Japan-South Korea diplomatic relations in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, on Thursday. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba called for closer communication between Japan and South Korea during a ceremony to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the two countries' normalization of diplomatic relations on Thursday. At the ceremony, held by the South Korean Embassy in Tokyo, Ishiba said, 'Because the strategic environment surrounding Japan and South Korea has become increasingly severe, we should join hands and take a new step toward a better future.' On June 22, 1965, the two countries signed the Treaty on Basic Relations between Japan and the Republic of Korea as well as the Agreement on the Settlement of Problems concerning Property and Claims and on Economic Cooperation, laying the foundation for the normalization of diplomatic relations. Along with Japan's economic cooperation worth $500 million in grants and loans, the agreement, which settled the issue of prewar claims, supported South Korea's economic growth. However, disputes over the scope of the agreement led to a resurgence of historical problems. 'There have been various situations up to today,' the prime minister said. Apparently with the treaty and agreement in mind, he added, 'We must continue close communication to ensure the stable development of bilateral relations based on the foundation that has been built so far.' Ishiba and South Korea's new President Lee Jae-myung held their first in-person meeting in Canada on Tuesday local time. Ishiba mentioned the meeting, saying they had 'meaningful discussions.' He also expressed his desire to expand the 'base of cooperation' on common issues such as regional development. The ceremony was attended by Cabinet members, such as Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and Defense Minister Gen Nakatani, as well as former prime ministers Fumio Kishida and Yoshihide Suga. The attendance of such figures is meant to be Japan's 'message of its emphasis on South Korea,' according to a government source.
