Chips up in Japan

World Cup? Pah. This is the real news from Japan...

Forecasts suggesting the semiconductor market is set for sustained growth this year were given further credence when three of Japan's largest chip makers confirmed they are to reopen plants closed during the worst ravages of the IT downturn. Hitachi, Toshiba and Sharp are all either reopening existing plants, upping production in those operating at half capacity or going ahead with building new operations after plans were shelved last year. According to the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics report on semiconductor demand, the market will grow by 2.3 per cent this year. Last year demand was down nearly a third.