Apple’s investment in Japan goes over $100 billion, and CEO Tim Cook visits the chip center.
Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, was in the heart of Japan’s semiconductor industry on Tuesday, where he said the company had spent more than $100 billion on its supply chain in the last five years.
Cook said in a tweet on Monday that he had been to Kumamoto Prefecture in southwestern Japan. This is where many of the world’s top semiconductor and technology companies have factories, including one that is being built by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) (2330.TW).
In a statement, Apple said that since 2019, it has spent more than 30% more on suppliers in Japan. This is part of a network of nearly 1,000 companies, ranging from large multinationals to small family-run businesses.
Related: China starts a WTO case against the US for limiting chip exports.
It said that Sony Group Corp. (6758.T), which makes camera sensors for iPhone products, was one of its biggest suppliers in Japan. It also said that medium- and small-sized businesses like textile company Inoue Ribbon Industry Co. and mould maker Shincron Co. were partners.
Apple said that 29 of its Japanese suppliers, like Sony, Murata Manufacturing Co. (6981.T), Keiwa Inc. (4251.T), Fujikura (5803.T), and Sumitomo Electric Industries, have agreed to switch to renewable energy by 2030. (5802.T).
