February 4, 2025 /SemiMedia/ — According to the latest data from the Semiconductor Equipment Association of Japan (SEAJ), semiconductor equipment sales in Japan surged by 44.7% in December 2024, reaching ¥4,433.64 billion (approximately $28.8 billion USD) on a three-month moving average, including exports. This marks the largest increase in 34 months and the 14th consecutive month of sales exceeding ¥3,000 billion (approximately $19.5 billion USD), setting a new historical record.

For the full year 2024, Japan's semiconductor equipment sales reached ¥4,435.59 billion (approximately $28.9 billion USD), a 22.9% increase compared to 2023. This performance far exceeded the ¥3,851.69 billion (approximately $25.0 billion USD) recorded in 2022, setting an all-time high. Japan’s global market share in semiconductor equipment, based on sales, now stands at 30%, second only to the United States.

SEAJ’s forecast report attributes the strong sales growth to increasing investments by both established and emerging companies in China, as well as the growing demand for advanced semiconductor manufacturing driven by AI-related technologies. The association projects that semiconductor equipment sales for the 2024 fiscal year (April 2024 - March 2025) will increase by 20.0%, marking the first time Japan’s sales will surpass ¥4 trillion (approximately $26.0 billion USD).

Global semiconductor test equipment leader Advantest, headquartered in Japan, also reported strong growth due to high demand for semiconductors used in AI applications. The company has revised its 2024 fiscal year consolidated revenue forecast upwards to ¥740 billion (approximately $4.8 billion USD), an increase from the previous estimate of ¥640 billion (approximately $4.2 billion USD) made in October 2024.

According to the Semiconductor Equipment Manufacturers International (SEMI), global semiconductor equipment sales are expected to rise 6.5% in 2024, reaching a record high of $113 billion USD.