Renesas Electronics Corporation said it will phase out manufacturing at its Takasaki Factory in Gunma Prefecture, Japan, over the next two to three years, citing aging 6-inch wafer line equipment and broader supply-chain headwinds. The company plans to keep and strengthen the site’s R&D operations, focused on analog ICs and discrete power semiconductors and is evaluating the current location and nearby areas as the primary candidates for those functions going forward.
Why Takasaki is closing
The move reflects structural shifts hitting older 6-inch wafer lines across the industry, where vendors are discontinuing production materials and maintenance support for legacy equipment.
At Takasaki, which runs a 6-inch wafer line, Renesas said it has become increasingly difficult to sustain production of certain products due to aging manufacturing equipment and utility facilities.
What happens to supply and employees
Renesas said it will carefully assess customer demand and build inventory to uphold its commitment to stable supply during the wind-down.
Production will be discontinued within the next two to three years, with the factory closure to follow; final timing and related details will be announced once finalized.
For employees, the company’s stated policy is to maintain and secure employment opportunities through reassignment, career support inside and outside Renesas, and other measures.
R&D repositioned for data centers and autos
While manufacturing exits, the company plans to reposition the site’s R&D capabilities to accelerate development of analog ICs and power semiconductors for data center and automotive applications, two strategic focus areas for the company.
Renesas emphasized it remains committed to maintaining and strengthening these R&D functions, even as specific timing and implementation details are still being worked out.
