Japan's Rapidus successfully prototypes 2-nanometer GAA chips! Hokkaido Chitose's "soul creation" moves towards mass production.

Japanese semiconductor startup Rapidus announced on July 18, 2025, that it has successfully prototype 2 nanometer (nm) Gate-All-Around (GAA) transistors at its cutting-edge manufacturing facility "IIM-1" in Chitose City, Hokkaido, and completed operational verification. This is not only a major breakthrough for the Japanese semiconductor industry but also symbolizes a key step in its challenge in the global advanced wafer fabrication process. The press conference also showcased the physical prototype chip for the first time, attracting global attention.

Trial successful! Rapidus showcases 2nm chips, stunning the industry.

Rapidus held a press conference in Chitose City, Hokkaido on July 18, officially announcing the successful trial production and functional verification of the 2nm GAA transistors. This chip is one of the first results produced in the company's IIM-1 manufacturing facility, symbolizing an important breakthrough for Japan in the field of advanced chip manufacturing.

The company's president and CEO, Jun-ki Koike, stated, "Completing the 2nm GAA transistors so quickly will shock our customers and generate high expectations."

The press conference also revealed the physical chip, symbolizing Rapidus's development from nothing to something, and demonstrating a certain level of manufacturing maturity.

From zero to having in three years, the 2nm prototype is the "soul chip".

Junyi Ko introduced the development history of Rapidus in the form of slides. The company was established in August 2022, with only 14 initial employees, and signed a strategic cooperation agreement with IBM in December of the same year to jointly develop using its GAA technology.

The IIM-1 factory in Qiansuishi announced the start of construction in February 2023 and held a groundbreaking ceremony in September. Koike recalled, "Starting from scratch, with the teamwork of the construction team and Rapidus employees, we built it up bit by bit."

The clean room will be completed in December 2024 and manufacturing equipment will be introduced, including the first introduction of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography equipment in Japan. By April 2025, EUV exposure and development will be successfully completed, with wafers put into trial production lines on June 16, and confirmation that the 2nm GAA transistors can operate normally on July 10.

Xiao Chi referred to the first batch of wafers as "soul chips," emphasizing that employees worked almost around the clock to complete the prototype. He stated, "This is the first time Japan has successfully confirmed the operation of 2nm GAA transistors, which is of great significance." Although he did not disclose the yield rate, he pointed out that efforts will continue to enhance performance and process stability towards mass production in 2027.

Customer response is enthusiastic, entering a new stage of design implementation.

In addition to the press conference day, Rapidus also held a customer visit event, gathering potential customers from around the world in Chitose, who showed great interest in the prototype chips.

Xiao Chi revealed: "Customers have finally seen the physical chips, which will accelerate their design and product development process. We have crossed an important milestone."

This showcase not only represents a technological breakthrough but also significantly enhances Rapidus's potential to secure overseas orders and collaborations.

k-year transformation technology hub, 41 companies have already taken the lead to settle in.

The press conference also invited several government and local leaders to attend, including Rapidus President Toh Tetsurou, Hokkaido Governor Suzuki Naomichi, and Chitose Mayor Yokota Ryuichi, to witness this historic moment together.

Tōgaku Rō pointed out: "The global attention on Rapidus is not just because Japan is trying to catch up from over a decade of lag, but rather because we are amazed at our ability to complete these critical steps at an incredibly fast pace. This is the result of passion, technology, and team cohesion."

Governor Suzuki also praised, "At first, the locals were not very familiar with advanced semiconductors, but now everyone sees the importance and potential of this challenge. This is a historic new chapter for Hokkaido's semiconductor industry."

Mayor Horiuchi of Chitose added that the entry of Rapidus has driven 41 semiconductor-related companies to settle in Chitose, with over 80 more currently evaluating the possibility of joining. Currently, there are 10 hotels planned for construction in the area, and office buildings and residential projects are also emerging one after another, becoming a catalyst for local economic revitalization.

Rapidus's next goal is to achieve mass production of front-end processes by 2027, and to promote mass production of back-end processes from the end of 2027 to the first half of 2028. Koike stated: "We will gradually establish a complete and consistent process system to provide customers with more stable and advanced supply capabilities."

This article discusses Japan's Rapidus successfully trialing a 2 nm GAA chip! Hokkaido Chitose's "soul creation" is moving towards mass production, first appearing in Chain News ABMedia.