Japan’s Leading-edge Semiconductor Technology Center, or LSTC, was established in late 2022 and is tasked with advancing the country’s research and innovation in areas such as nanotechnology, chip manufacturing, semiconductor materials research, and artificial intelligence. The Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry approved outsourcing of this research, and it was recently announced that Japan would spend upwards of ¥45 billion ($300 million) to back the LTSC and adjacent organizations in its efforts, with the ultimate goal of strengthening Japan’s competitiveness in the semiconductor industry today and into the future.