Tokyo, 5 March 2026: The ERIA School of Government (So G) brought together the Ministry of Industry of Indonesia and SUMCO Corporation to discuss the role of silicon wafers in Indonesia’s semiconductor ecosystem and to explore potential areas of collaboration.

The discussion highlighted the critical importance of silicon wafers as the fundamental substrate for semiconductor manufacturing, serving as the starting material for integrated circuits used in modern electronics such as smartphones, automobiles, and household appliances.

The Indonesian delegation emphasised that strengthening access to high-quality silicon wafers, either through strategic partnerships or potential local production, would support the country’s ambition to develop upstream semiconductor capabilities and reduce reliance on imported materials.

Both sides also discussed opportunities for technology collaboration and knowledge exchange – including training programmes, technology transfer, and capacity building – to support Indonesia’s semiconductor roadmap in areas such as chip design, prototyping, and testing.

The meeting further noted SUMCO’s existing presence in Indonesia through its facility in Bekasi, West Java, which produces smaller-diameter polished wafers (125–150 mm). The Indonesian delegation discussed how this presence could serve as a strategic starting point for expanding the country’s domestic semiconductor material capabilities.

Potential collaboration could involve a partnership model in which SUMCO contributes upstream capabilities, including silicon wafer supply, wafer-processing technology, and technical training, while Indonesian private semiconductor companies contribute downstream capabilities such as integrated circuit design, assembly, testing, and operational facilities.

Such initiatives may include joint projects in wafer processing, research and development, chip design, and advanced packaging, supporting technology transfer, talent development, and the strengthening of Indonesia’s semiconductor supply chain.

This engagement forms part of ERIA’s ongoing efforts to facilitate dialogue between government stakeholders and industry, and to advance policy and industrial partnerships supporting the development of Indonesia’s semiconductor ecosystem in partnership with Japan.