東広島市の吉川工業団地内にあるマイクロンメモリジャパン広島工場において、拡張工事の起工式が執り行われました。

今回の工場増設は、人工知能（AI）の普及に伴い拡大する先進メモリ需要に対応し、次世代メモリ半導体の量産体制を強化するものです。約2万8,000平方メートルの新工場建設をはじめとする総投資額は1兆5,000億円に上り、1,000人以上の新規雇用が見込まれています。起工式には、アメリカ本社からサンジェイCEOやマニッシュ副社長、米国総領事館のリチャード総領事、また赤澤亮正経済産業大臣、岸田文雄元内閣総理大臣、横田美香広島県知事、高垣広徳東広島市長、新谷正義衆議院議員、ソフトバンクグループの孫正義会長、ラピダスの小池社長など多数の来賓が出席されました。

東広島市における半導体産業は、1980年代の「広島中央テクノポリス」指定と、それに伴うNEC（日本電気）の誘致を礎として発展してまいりました。以降、経営主体の変遷を経ながらも、半導体生産の事業基盤がこの東広島の地に脈々と継承されてきたことは、極めて大きな意義を持ちます。

AI時代を迎えた現在、東広島市では今回の工場増設を契機として、関連産業のさらなる立地促進を図ります。加えて、東広島市と広島大学が一体となって推進する「Town & Gown（タウン・アンド・ガウン）構想」を一層深化させます。大学の有する高度な知見を最大限に活かしながら、人材育成や研究部門の強化を図り、産学官連携による強固な半導体クラスターを形成する「次世代学園都市」の実現を目指す所存です。

地域を切り拓いてきてくださった先輩方、地域の皆さまに感謝し、今後も、地域と企業の良好な共存を図りながら、周辺のインフラ整備等の課題にも関係機関と緊密に連携して対応し、日本屈指の成長都市として本市のさらなる飛躍と地域発展に尽力してまいります。

On July 4, a groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion project at the Micron Memory Japan Hiroshima facility was held at the Yoshikawa Industrial Park in Higashihiroshima City.

This facility expansion is designed to address the growing demand for advanced memory driven by the widespread adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and to strengthen the mass production system for next-generation memory semiconductors. The total investment, including the construction of a new facility covering approximately 28,000 square meters, amounts to 1.5 trillion yen and is expected to create over 1,000 new jobs. The ceremony was attended by a large number of distinguished guests, including CEO Sanjay and Vice President Manish from the U.S. headquarters; Consul General Richard from the U.S. Consulate General; Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Ryosei Akazawa; Former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida; Hiroshima Governor Mika Yokota; Higashihiroshima Mayor Hironori Takagaki; Member of the House of Representatives Masayoshi Shintani; SoftBank Group Chairman Masayoshi Son; and Rapidus President Atsuyoshi Koike.

The semiconductor industry in Higashihiroshima City has developed upon the foundation of its designation as the "Hiroshima Central Technopolis" in the 1980s and the subsequent attraction of NEC (Nippon Electric Company) to the area. It is of profound significance that the business foundation for semiconductor production has been continuously inherited in Higashihiroshima ever since, even as the managing entities have changed over time.

Now, as we enter the era of AI, Higashihiroshima City will take this facility expansion as an opportunity to further promote the establishment of related industries in the region. Furthermore, we will deepen the "Town & Gown Initiative" jointly promoted by Higashihiroshima City and Hiroshima University. By maximizing the university's advanced expertise, we aim to strengthen human resource development and research sectors, striving to realize a "Next-Generation Academic City" that forms a robust semiconductor cluster through industry-academia-government collaboration.

Moving forward, while ensuring a harmonious coexistence between the local community and enterprises, we will work closely with relevant organizations to address challenges such as the development of surrounding infrastructure. We remain dedicated to the further advancement of our city as one of Japan's leading growth cities and to the overall development of the region.

#鍋島せり
#マイクロンメモリジャパン
#半導体産業
#micronjapan
#hiroshima