By Tomofumi Yonezawa and Taihei Ishikawa / Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writers

Mitsui Fudosan Co. intends to play a key role in "connecting suppliers and users" in the semiconductor industry by taking part in the Kumamoto Science Park project, said President and CEO Takashi Ueda during an interview with The Yomiuri Shimbun and other media outlets. The project is aimed at forming an industry cluster centered on northern Kumamoto Prefecture.

Ueda also said the company will further explore business opportunities through the industry hub project. The following is excerpted from the interview.

Question: What is Mitsui Fudosan's goal with its participation in this development project?

Takashi Ueda: Semiconductors have long been called a staple of industry, and they now hold a critically important position in terms of economic security as well. In Kumamoto Prefecture, where major developments are underway, such as with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.'s entry into the region, we want to create a science park as the next step in the region's development. We define ourselves as an "industry developer," and aim to grow ourselves as well by creating communities that contribute to industrial growth.

There is no doubt that Japanese semiconductors are attracting global attention and that expectations are rising. The challenge lies in how to match semiconductor manufacturing with user needs. As a community builder, we have a distinct advantage. We can play an organic role in connecting suppliers and users and resolving issues.

Question: How will this project contribute to the company's future growth and profitability?

Ueda: The science park itself is structured to generate significant revenue, and we aim to use this project as a model to expand into other regions. Since the semiconductor industry has a broad reach, we believe we can identify sectors where we can directly engage while managing properties there. I also think there are ways we can support the creation of communities that satisfy highly skilled professionals and their families.

Question: What about the impact of the situation in the Middle East, such as rising material costs?

Ueda: We have already communicated with companies in Taiwan and Japan. We believe companies and other organizations will participate (in the science park) even if there are such issues as fluctuations in construction costs.

Question: What are your future strategies for developing semiconductor hubs?

Ueda: We originally established a hub in the Nihombashi district of Tokyo, which received a very positive response. In the summer of 2026, we will open a new hub at New Chitose Airport, which will serve many users who have ties to Rapidus Corp. (which aims to produce advanced semiconductors domestically). Going forward, we will continue to consider developments in regions where the semiconductor industry is thriving, such as at the science park and Kumamoto Airport.

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This article is from The Yomiuri Shimbun. Neither Dow Jones Newswires, MarketWatch, Barron's nor The Wall Street Journal were involved in the creation of this content.

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May 05, 2026 09:31 ET (13:31 GMT)

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