Japanese exports of semiconductor manufacturing equipment have remained robust, with China accounting for at least 50% of these shipments for the third consecutive quarter ending in March. This surge is attributed to heightened demand for less advanced equipment, particularly following trade restrictions led by the United States.

In the March quarter alone, exports to China soared by 82% year-on-year to ¥521.2 billion, marking a historic high since data tracking began in 2007. The spike in shipments to China coincided with Japan's regulatory measures from last July, which required approval for exporting cutting-edge semiconductor manufacturing equipment, including components for this machinery and gear for flat-panel displays, to non-friendly nations.

Analysts suggest that the increased imports by China reflect a proactive approach to secure equipment amidst global supply constraints. Notably, Chinese imports of chipmaking gear surged to $5.2 billion in September, a nearly 50% increase from the previous year, with significant contributions from Japan and the Netherlands.

Furthermore, on-going trends indicate sustained growth, with Chinese monthly imports in this sector showing consistent year-on-year increases through April, hovering around $4 billion. This surge in demand is driven by Chinese manufacturers pivoting towards producing general-use chips as an alternative to advanced semiconductors.

Overall, while the global semiconductor market recently navigated a downturn post-pandemic, there are signs of recovery, with Japan's exports of chipmaking equipment registering a 13% year-on-year increase last quarter, marking the first positive growth in five quarters.

(Source: Nikkei Asia)