Japan Expands Southeast Asia Semiconductor Infrastructure
New training and data center initiatives in Vietnam and Malaysia aim to scale the regional semiconductor supply chain by 2030.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Semiconductors
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Japan is accelerating semiconductor and AI infrastructure development across Southeast Asia through targeted university training programs and data center investment. These efforts include a new workforce training initiative in Vietnam and the construction of a large-scale data center campus in Malaysia.
Why it matters
By scaling local technical expertise and physical infrastructure, these initiatives aim to fortify the regional semiconductor supply chain. This investment prepares the area to host more complex chip assembly and high-performance computing operations.
NTT Data is developing a 290-megawatt data center campus in Johor, Malaysia, which will feature the deployment of direct liquid cooling technology. The cooling system is designed to manage the high thermal output typical of modern, high-density AI computing hardware.
The players
Vietnam Japan University
An academic institution focused on collaborative training and research to support technical workforce development.
NTT Data
A global technology services provider investing in high-capacity data center infrastructure across Asia.
Intel
A semiconductor manufacturing firm currently operating assembly and test facilities in Ho Chi Minh City.
Samsung Electronics
A global chip manufacturer currently expanding its semiconductor assembly activities within Vietnam.
The details
The training initiative at Vietnam Japan University uses a cohort-based model to build technical expertise, with 106 students enrolled in the first group and 107 in the second. These graduates are being prepared for roles in the semiconductor industry, which includes assembly and testing. Meanwhile, the data center expansion in Johor involves high-power capacity infrastructure specifically engineered for AI workloads, which require efficient heat removal to maintain performance under sustained load.
Timeline
October 2025: Vietnam Japan University launched a semiconductor talent program.
April 2027: Operations scheduled to begin at the first NTT Data building in Johor.
2030: Deadline for Vietnam to reach its goal of training 50,000 semiconductor professionals.
The Tech Race
This investment aligns with Japan's broader strategy to secure robust supply chains in Southeast Asia by embedding local talent into the global chip ecosystem. It positions Vietnam as a critical hub for Intel and Samsung's assembly operations while expanding regional data capacity.
Students entering the Vietnam Japan University program will gain access to specialized semiconductor training directly aligned with industry hiring needs. The infrastructure expansions will increase regional availability for AI computing and advanced testing services as projects come online through 2027.
The takeaway
Japan is betting on regional workforce development to anchor the semiconductor supply chain in Southeast Asia. Industry observers should watch for the 2027 startup of the Johor data center to gauge the effectiveness of new cooling technologies in supporting local high-density AI operations.
Further reading
Explore deeper trends in industry growth at Semiconductors.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Qazinform.
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