ASML to Boost Japan Workforce by 40% to Support Chipmaking Expansion

ASML Holding (NASDAQ:ASML) will significantly expand its workforce in Japan, planning to increase its employee count by approximately 40% by 2030 to support the country's renewed push into advanced semiconductor production. The Dutch equipment maker intends to grow its local team from 500 to about 700 employees over the next several years.

Expansion to Support Key Fabs

The announcement was made by ASML Japan President Shojiro Fujiwara at a press conference, as reported by Nikkei. The expansion is directly tied to providing crucial on-the-ground support for several large-scale fabrication plant projects underway in Japan.

ASML is bolstering its presence in key semiconductor hubs:

• Hokkaido: The company's office, opened in 2024 to assist the next-generation chipmaker Rapidus, has already doubled its engineering staff from 24 to 50. This team will support Rapidus as it prepares for 2-nanometer chip production, slated to begin in 2027.
• Kumamoto: ASML also plans to station workers in the prefecture to support Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing’s (TSMC) second plant, which is currently under construction.

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Strategic Role in Japan's Chip Revival

This workforce expansion underscores ASML's pivotal role in Japan's national strategy to revitalize its domestic semiconductor manufacturing capabilities. The Japanese government is facilitating partnerships with global leaders to onshore the production of cutting-edge chips.

ASML is a critical supplier to major players in the country, including TSMC, Rapidus, and Micron Technology (NASDAQ:MU) at its Hiroshima plant. The importance of the Japanese market to ASML is reflected in its sales, which rose to NT$44.34 billion ($1.4 billion) in 2025, according to the Nikkei report. TSMC's Kumamoto facility, a partnership with Sony Group (NYSE:SONY), is set to begin producing advanced image sensor chips in 2029.