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Monday 12 January 2026
Weekly news roundup: AI memory effects in DRAM, HBM4, and TSMC's global expansion
Below are the most-read DIGITIMES Asia stories of the first full week of 2026: January 5-11.
Monday 12 January 2026
Beijing pulls out rare earth card against Japan; Murata says production unaffected so far
On January 6, 2026, China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) announced that, to safeguard national security and interests, it would strengthen export controls on dual-use items to Japan...
Monday 12 January 2026
TEL expands AI memory capex, targets etching equipment market share
Japanese semiconductor equipment maker TEL is ramping up investments to capitalize on a supercycle in memory demand driven by artificial intelligence (AI) servers. With DRAM and other...
Sunday 11 January 2026
Seeking independence from Starlink, Japan backs homegrown satellites

Japan has formally committed to building its own low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellite constellation, marking a significant shift in how the...

Friday 9 January 2026
Commentary: How fragile is the China–Japan semiconductor supply chain?
China has intensified pressure on Japan's supply chains. Following curbs on dual-use items and rare earth exports, the Ministry of Commerce has launched an anti-dumping probe into...
Friday 9 January 2026
China turns to rare earths in escalating Japan dispute
China said on January 6, 2026, that it would tighten export controls on so-called "dual-use" goods bound for Japan, a move that state media suggested could extend to rare earth materials,...
Friday 9 January 2026
China tightens export controls on rare earths, alarming Japan and South Korea
China has stepped up export controls affecting military and civilian sectors, with potential restrictions on rare earth products to Japan causing significant unease. Japanese industries,...
Friday 9 January 2026
Commentary: China's DCS probe against Japan shows where substitution is viable
China's Ministry of Commerce said on January 7, 2026, that it has launched an anti-dumping investigation into Japanese-origin dichlorosilane (DCS). While framed as a routine trade-remedy...
Friday 9 January 2026
China tests US-Japan-South Korea alliance with export controls
China is testing the extent of support US President Donald Trump would extend to Japan by imposing export controls on the country, just months after Trump boasted that he had solved...
Thursday 8 January 2026
China launches fresh anti-dumping probe against Japanese dichlorosilane, following dual-use export curbs

China has launched an anti-dumping investigation into Japanese dichlorosilane imports, marking...

Wednesday 7 January 2026
Beijing's dual-use controls test Japan's economic security strategy
China has moved to tighten export controls on dual-use products to Japan. This step could have wide-ranging implications for supply chains spanning advanced materials, electronics,...
Tuesday 6 January 2026
Honda delays China factory restart as Nexperia dispute continues to disrupt supply

Honda Motor said on January 5 that it would delay the reopening of three factories operated by its Chinese joint venture, GAC Honda,...

Monday 5 January 2026
Japan's Rapidus to launch advanced packaging pilot line in Hokkaido by spring 2026
Japanese chipmaker Rapidus is advancing its 2nm process technology while developing advanced packaging solutions tailored for AI chips. The company aims to officially start trial...
Monday 5 January 2026
Kawasaki banned by Japanese defense ministry over submarine engine fraud, raising export trust concerns
Japan's Ministry of Defense announced in December 2025 that it had suspended Kawasaki Heavy Industries from bidding on defense contracts until March 11, 2026, a 2.5-month ban following...
Saturday 3 January 2026
Analysis: Japan targets advanced packaging to crack TSMC's manufacturing edge
Japanese semiconductor firms are pivoting toward advanced packaging and alternative lithography as TSMC extends its scale advantage in artificial intelligence chips. TSMC's 3nm and...