ASML plans to increase its Japan workforce from 500 to 700 employees by 2030 , a 40% expansion , according to the company's Japan chief Yojiro Fujiwara in a September 2 interview with Nikkei Asia.

The move follows a surge in Japan's semiconductor manufacturing projects: JASM's second Kumamoto fab under construction, Rapidus's 2nm plant in Chitose near production, Micron's Hiroshima DRAM fab expansion, Kioxia's Kitakami Fab 3 plans, and Sony's joint image sensor venture with TSMC (AVSM).

ASML's Chitose office, established for Rapidus and other clients, has already grown from 25 to 50 staff, and the company is evaluating further expansion in southern Kumamoto Prefecture.

ASML's Japan sales reached €1.2 billion ($1.3B) in 2025 , up about 40% year‑on‑year. Fujiwara noted that Japan is not just a sales market but also a key part of ASML's technology innovation and supply chain strategy.

ICgoodFind Takeaway:
ASML is putting more boots on the ground where new fabs are rising. Japan's semiconductor renaissance is real, and equipment suppliers are positioning themselves to support the wave.