Micron Memory Japan

{{Infobox company

| name = Micron Memory Japan, K.K.

| native_name = マイクロンメモリジャパン株式会社

| logo = Micron Technology logo 2024.svg

| logo_size = 225px

| caption =

| type = Subsidiary

| genre =

| fate =

| predecessor = Elpida Memory, Inc.

| successor =

| foundation = 1999

| founder =

| defunct =

| location_city = Yaesu, Chūō, Tokyo

| location_country = Japan

| location =

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| industry = Semiconductor industry

| products = DRAM

| services =

| revenue =

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| aum =

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| num_employees = 4013

| parent = Micron Technology

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| homepage = {{URL|jp.micron.com/in-japan}}

| footnotes =

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}}

Micron Memory Japan, K.K. {{Nihongo|2=マイクロンメモリジャパン株式会社|lead=yes|4=Micron Memory Japan Kabushiki-gaisha (MMJ)}} is a Japanese subsidiary of Micron Technology.{{Cite web |title=マイクロン日本法人会社案内 {{!}} Micron Technology, Inc |url=https://jp.micron.com/in-japan |access-date=2022-07-14 |website=jp.micron.com |language=ja}} It was formerly known as {{nihongo|Elpida Memory, Inc.|エルピーダメモリ株式会社|Erupīda Memori Kabushiki-gaisha}} established in 1999 that developed, designed, manufactured and sold dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) products. It was also a semiconductor foundry. With headquarters in Yaesu, Chūō, Tokyo, Japan, it was initially formed under the name NEC Hitachi Memory in 1999 by the merger of the Hitachi and NEC DRAM businesses. In the following year it took on the name Elpida. In 2003, Elpida took over the Mitsubishi DRAM business. In 2004, it listed its shares in the first section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. In 2012, those shares were delisted as a result of its bankruptcy. In 2013, Elpida was acquired by Micron Technology.Dylan McGrath, EETimes. "[http://www.eetimes.com/document.asp?doc_id=1319103 Micron Closes Elpida Acquisition]." July 31, 2013. Retrieved June 30, 2017. On February 28, 2014, Elpida changed its name to Micron Memory Japan and Elpida Akita changed its name to Micron Akita, Inc.{{Cite web |date=2014-01-23 |title=エルピーダ、2月28日から社名を「マイクロンメモリジャパン」に変更 |url=https://news.mynavi.jp/article/20140123-a545/ |access-date=2022-07-14 |website=マイナビニュース |language=ja}}

History

Elpida Memory was founded in 1999 as a merger of NEC's and Hitachi's DRAM operations and began development operations for DRAM products in 2000. Both companies also spun off their other semiconductor operations into Renesas.

In 2001, the company began construction of its 300mm wafer fabrication plant. Later that year, it began sales operations in domestic markets.

In 2002, armed with the Sherman Antitrust Act, the United States Department of Justice began a probe into the activities of dynamic random access memory (DRAM) manufacturers. US computer makers, including Dell and Gateway, claimed that inflated DRAM pricing was causing lost profits and hindering their effectiveness in the marketplace. To date, five manufacturers have pleaded guilty to their involvement in an international price-fixing conspiracy including Hynix, Infineon, Micron Technology, Samsung, and Elpida. Micron Technology was not fined for its involvement due to co-operation with investigators.

In 2003, the company took over Mitsubishi Electric Corporation's DRAM operations and employed Mitsubishi development engineers.

In 2004, Elpida Memory went public and was listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

In 2006, the company established Akita Elpida to take on the development of advanced back-end technology processes.

In March 2006, Elpida reported consolidated sales of 241,500,000,000 Japanese yen. It employed 3196 people.

The company received 140 billion yen in financial aid and loans from the Japanese government and banks in 2009 due to the 2008 financial crisis.

On April 3, 2010, Elpida Memory sold ¥18.5billion worth of shares to Kingston Technology[http://www.japantoday.com/category/technology/view/elpida-to-raise-y185-billion-via-share-sale-to-us-partner/ Elpida to raise Y18.5 billion via share sale to U.S. partner]

On April 22, 2010, Elpida announced it had developed the world's first four-gigabit DDR3 SDRAM. Based on a 40 nm process, this DRAM was said to use about thirty percent less power compared to two 40 nm process two-gigabit DDR3 SDRAMs. It was to operate at both standard DDR3 1.5 V and 1.35 V to further reduce power consumption.Phys.org. "[https://phys.org/news/2010-04-elpida-gigabit-ddr3-sdram-industry.html Elpida Completes Development of 4-Gigabit DDR3 SDRAM, Industry's Highest Density DDR3]." Apr 23, 2010. Retrieved May 30, 2018.

In July 2011, Elpida announced that it planned to raise $987 million by selling shares and bonds.{{cite web |url= https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-07-11/elpida-may-sell-987-million-of-shares-convertible-bonds-stock-tumbles.html |title=Elpida to Sell 79.7 Billion Yen in Shares, Convertible Bonds - Bloomberg|work=bloomberg.com |year=2011 |access-date=2 August 2011}} In August 2011, Elpida claimed to be the first memory maker to begin sampling 25 nm DRAMs.EE Times. "[http://eetimes.com/electronics-news/4218499/Elpida-says-its-sampling-first-25-nm-DRAMs Elpida says its sampling first 25-nm DRAMs] [https://web.archive.org/web/20110930202552/http://eetimes.com/electronics-news/4218499/Elpida-says-its-sampling-first-25-nm-DRAMs Archived]." August 4, 2011. Retrieved August 5, 2011.

On February 27, 2012, Elpida filed for bankruptcy.{{cite web |url= http://heise.de/-1443139 |title=Chip manufacturer Elpida is bankrupt - Heise|work=heise.de |year=2012 |access-date=27 February 2012}}[http://www.elpida.com/pdfs/pr/2012-02-27e.pdf Elpida press release], dated 27 February 2012. Retrieved 28 February 2012.

With liabilities of 448 billion yen (US$5.5 billion), the company's bankruptcy was Japan's largest since Japan Airlines bankrupted in January 2010. The company suffered from both strong yen and a sharp drop of DRAM prices as a result of stagnant demand of personal computers and disruption of computer production caused by flooding of HDD factories in Thailand. DRAM prices plunged to a record low in 2011 as the price of the benchmark DDR3 2-gigabit DRAM declined 85%. Elpida was the third largest DRAM maker, held 18 percent of the market by revenue in 2011.{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-02-27/elpida-s-bankruptcy-filing-comes-after-failure-to-follow-smartphone-money.html |title=Elpida Falls as Lack of Smartphone Strategy Spurs Japan Bankruptcy Filing |date=Feb 28, 2012 |author=Naoko Fujimura and Jun Yang |publisher=Bloomberg }}

On March 28, 2012, Elpida was delisted from the Tokyo Stock Exchange.{{Cite news |title=Elpida Collapse to Boost Micron, Samsung: Pro |first=Madeline |last=Laskoski |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2012/03/29/elpida-collapse-to-boost-micron-samsung-pro.html |newspaper=CNBC |date=March 29, 2012 |access-date=March 31, 2012}} At the time, Elpida was one of the suppliers of SDRAM components for the A6 processor in the Apple iPhone 5.The Next Web. "[https://thenextweb.com/apple/2012/09/21/iphone-5-teardown-reveals-elpida-sdram-chip-improved-repairability/#gref]."September 21, 2012. Retrieved July 6, 2016

In February 2013, Tokyo court and Elpida creditors approved an acquisition by Micron Technology.Sacramento Bee. "[http://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/news/2013/02/28/micron-acquisition-of-elpida-approved.html]. "February 28th, 2013. Retrieved April 16, 2013

The company became a fully owned subsidiary of Micron Technology on July 31, 2013.Elpida Press Release. "[http://www.elpida.com/pdfs/pr/2013-07-31e.pdf]. "July 31, 2013. Retrieved October 22, 2013

Effective February 28, 2014, Elpida changed its name to Micron Memory Japan and Elpida Akita changed its name to Micron Akita, Inc.

In August 2017, an agreement was signed with Power Technology Inc. for the acquisition of the majority stakes in Micron Akita, Inc. as well as Tera Probe Inc. from Micron Technology Inc.{{Cite web |date=2017 |title=Powertech looking to acquire two Japanese firms |url=https://evertiq.com/design/41426 |access-date=2024-05-22 |website=evertiq.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=PTI's Milestone |url=https://www.pti.com.tw/en/about/histories |access-date=2024-05-22 |website=Powertech Technology Inc. |language=en}}

In September 2022, the Japanese government provided Micron Technology Inc. a subsidy of $320 million for the development of advanced memory chips at the Hiroshima plant.{{Cite web |date=2022-09-30 |title=Japan to give Micron Tech up to $320 million to boost Hiroshima chip output |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/japan-give-micron-technology-up-320-mln-boost-chip-output-hiroshima-paper-2022-09-30/ |access-date=2024-05-22 |website=reuters.com}}{{Cite web |date=2017-05-23 |title=Micron to invest $3.7 billion in Japan for new DRAM chips |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/micron-poised-get-15-bln-japan-next-gen-chips-bloomberg-news-2023-05-18/ |access-date=2024-05-22 |website=reuters.com}} In May 2023, it was announced that Micron Technology would invest up to $3.7 billion for extreme ultraviolet (EUV) technology with support from the Japanese government. In October 2023, the government once again approved a $1.3 billion subsidy for the Hiroshima chip factory.{{Cite web |date=2023-10-03 |title=Japan approves US$1.3 billion in subsidies for Micron's chip plant in Hiroshima |url=https://www.scmp.com/tech/policy/article/3236626/boost-semiconductor-ambitions-japan-approves-us13-billion-subsidies-us-chip-firm-microns-plant |access-date=2024-05-24 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2023-10-03 |title=In boost for semiconductor ambitions, Japan approves US$1.3 billion in subsidies for US chip firm Micron's plant in Hiroshima |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/boost-semiconductor-ambitions-japan-approves-093000856.html |access-date=2024-05-24 |website=Yahoo Finance |language=en-US}}

Products

DDR5 SDRAM{{cite web|access-date=2024-07-02 |date=2023-10-11 |title=Micron Unveils Advanced 16Gb DDR5 Memory with Breakthrough 1β Technology |publisher=storagereview.com |url=https://www.storagereview.com/news/micron-unveils-advanced-16gb-ddr5-memory-with-breakthrough-1%CE%B2-technology}}
DDR4 SDRAM
DDR3 SDRAM{{cite web|access-date=2024-07-02 |date=2022-03-31 |title=Samsung and SK Hynix to Soon Cease DDR3 Production |publisher=tomshardware.com |url=https://www.tomshardware.com/news/samsung-and-sk-hynix-to-cease-ddr3-production-shortly}}
DDR2 SDRAM{{cite web|access-date=2024-07-02 |date=2003-05-09 |title=Elpida's DDR2 SDRAM excels in Intel machine |publisher=eetimes.com |url=https://www.eetimes.com/elpidas-ddr2-sdram-excels-in-intel-machine/}}
Mobile RAM
GDDR7{{cite web|access-date=2024-07-02 |date=2024-06-04 |title=Micron GDDR7 Memory Official: 32 Gbps Speeds, Over 1.5 TB/s Bandwidth & 30% Improvement In Game Performance Across All Resolutions |publisher=wccftech.com |url=https://wccftech.com/micron-gddr7-memory-32-gbps-speeds-over-1-5-tbps-bandwidth-30-percent-faster-game-performance-all-resolutions/}}
GDDR5
XDR DRAM

Locations

Micron has two design centers, one manufacturing plant/technology development site, and two sales offices in Japan:{{Cite web |title=Locations |url=https://www.micron.com/about/locations?country=Japan |access-date=2023-01-22 |website= |language=en}}

class="wikitable"

|+Micron's offices in Japan

!Companies

!Roles

!Name

!Train station

!Municipality

rowspan="3" |Micron Memory Japan, K.K. (MMJ)

|Design (DRAM){{Cite web |title=意外と知られていない？巨大半導体会社マイクロンの日本とのつながり |url=https://ascii.jp/elem/000/004/050/4050158/ |access-date=2023-01-22 |website=ASCII.jp |date=8 April 2021 |language=ja}}

|Hashimoto Engineering Center

|{{STN|Minami-Hashimoto|x}}

|Sagamihara, Kanagawa

Design (NAND flash memory)

|Kamata Office

|Kamata

|Ōta, Tokyo

Manufacturing

Technology Development

|Hiroshima Plant
Hiroshima Development Center

|{{STN|Higashi-Hiroshima|x}}

|Higashihiroshima, Hiroshima

Micron Memory Japan, K.K. (MMJ)

Micron Japan, Ltd. (MJP)

|Sales

|Tokyo Office

|{{STN|Shinagawa|x}}

|Minato, Tokyo

Micron Japan, Ltd. (MJP)

|Sales

|Osaka Office

|{{STN|Osaka Business Park|x}}
Kyobashi

|Osaka

File:エルピーダメモリ広島工場 Elpida Memory, Inc - panoramio.jpg

The Hiroshima Plant is key to Micron's efforts to develop low-power DRAM products essential to smartphones and other mobile devices.{{Cite web |title=Realignment of Japan Facilities Key to Micron's Asia Operations |url=https://www.micron.com/about/blog/2017/april/realignment-of-japan-facilities-key-to-microns-asia-operations |access-date=2022-07-14 |website=www.micron.com |language=en}} Once these products achieve yield and performance targets (optimal cost structure, quality and lower end-to-end product cycle time) in Hiroshima, the manufacturing process can then be transferred to other sites.

Micron's realignment of the Japanese operations included the following:

$2 billion investment in Hiroshima to enhance competitive capabilities
Acquisition of test and probe personnel in Hiroshima from {{Nihongo|Tera Probe, Inc.|株式会社テラプローブ|Kabushiki-gaisha Tera Probe}} to bring these capabilities in-house
Sell-off of its test and assembly capabilities in Micron Akita to Powertech Technology, Inc. (PTI), a Taiwanese semiconductor assembly, packaging and testing company
Sell-off of its equity stake in Tera Probe to PTI

With these changes, Micron's DRAM test and assembly capabilities would be based in Hiroshima and Taiwan.