TSMC in Japan is earning for the first time—only a year after starting mass production.

Kumamoto, Japan – May 24, 2026

TSMC’s subsidiary in the Japanese city of Kumamoto has recorded its first profit. The joint venture Japan Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing (JASM) earned $30 million in Q1 2026.

How the financial picture changed
Period Profit/Loss Q1 2026 $30 million Q4 2025–$44 million 2025 (half‑year) –$103 million
Since the launch of mass production at the end of 2024, the plant operated at a loss, but by early 2026 the annual figure had turned positive. Analysts attribute this turnaround to increased utilization of manufacturing capacity.

What JASM produces
* Process technologies: 12 nm, 16 nm, 22 nm and 28 nm (mature technologies).

* Customers: automotive and industrial electronics.

* TSMC’s stake: 77 % ownership of the venture.

Future – a second plant
JASM is already building a second facility in Kumamoto. Initially, production was planned for the 6‑nm process, but since February this year the strategy changed: it will now use an advanced 3‑nm process. This decision was made in response to growing global demand for AI system chips.

TSMC Arizona metrics
The American division of TSMC in Arizona shows even more impressive growth:

Period Profit Q1 2026 $597 million Q4 2025 $361 million 2025 (half‑year) $16 million
The quarterly result exceeded even the annual profit earned by the division for all of 2025 ($512 million). Experts link this jump to an “AI boom”: the plant serves TSMC’s largest clients in the U.S. market.

Conclusion:

JASM’s move to profitability and plans to launch a 3‑nm factory confirm the company’s strategic growth amid high demand for high‑technology chips, especially for AI. Likewise, TSMC Arizona’s successes demonstrate the effectiveness of American manufacturing in the age of digital transformation.