Japan’s chipmaker Rapidus pledges semiconductor workforce training for Vietnam

Rapidus Corporation, a semiconductor manufacturer of Japan, has affirmed its readiness to train semiconductor workforce for Vietnam.

At a Wednesday meeting with Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung, who is in Japan for the 30th Future of Asia forum, Rapidus chairman Higashi Tetsuro said the company will study and propose support mechanisms through the Vietnam-Japan University (VJU).

VJU is the seventh member university under the Hanoi-based Vietnam National University. It was established in 2014 following a joint declaration by Vietnamese and Japanese governments.

The state-backed Rapidus was established in August 2022 to create advanced semiconductor and packaging technologies. It aims to improve efficiency, reduce power utilization, and improve the ecological impact of advanced computing in datacenters, autonomous vehicles, industrial manufacturing and artificial intelligence.

At many previous meetings, Higashi has consistently emphasized Vietnam as a strategic partner in developing semiconductor human resources for Rapidus and Japan.

In response, Dung said Vietnam identifies science-technology, innovation, and digital transformation as top priorities, main drivers of economic restructuring, and new drivers of economic growth, which will help to transform the country into a high-income developed country by 2045.

Vietnam has issued a development strategy and established a national steering committee for the semiconductor industry, he noted.

Authorities are also implementing a range of measures to develop the semiconductor ecosystem, including setting up an investment support fund, launching a project to train 50,000 semiconductor engineers, attracting FDI, and promoting public-private and private-private partnerships.

He suggested Rapidus cooperate with the Vietnamese government and partners to train and send Vietnamese engineers to study and work at Rapidus factories and those of its partners.

Rapidus could consider establishing a human resource training center in Vietnam, the Deputy Prime Minister said. Dung also urged Rapidus to expand its research and development and business operations in Vietnam.

Rapidus could advise the Vietnamese government on breakthrough mechanisms and policies to boost the country's semiconductor industry, he added.