News
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has compiled an interim report on the enhancement of Japan's supply chains for semiconductor and other auto parts and components, as various supply-chain risks have been becoming more and more evident since the second half of last year. The ministry has exchanged views with domestic automakers since they jointly set up a working group in May 2021 to hold discussions on Japan's supply chain for semiconductor for cars.
To constantly procure semiconductor, improvements have been made to help semiconductor makers have better prediction, such as longer production plans that automakers show suppliers and more accurate and frequent information. Having heard comments from primary suppliers and semiconductor makers, automakers have presented six-month production plans at minimum. However, there are still problems, as there are too many procedures to complete to make such plans. Also, it is hard for automakers to make appropriate projections. At one time, for example, a short notice was made to inform a production curtailment, bringing about confusion.
