In a series of articles this week, Wall Street Journal reporters from around the world go inside the escalating global chip battle. TOKYO—Toppan is a 124-year-old Japanese company known for printing magazines and newspapers. Japan is a quiet powerhouse in the rarely mentioned corners of the chip supply chain: chemicals, packaging materials and tools. Its companies account for nearly half of the world’s six crucial semiconductor materials, according to Omdia, a market researcher. “I’ll be honest, that was what customers demanded," said Furuya, the Toppan semiconductor head.

Source: Wall Street Journal June 08, 2024 01:21 UTC