Japan’s advanced semiconductor maker Rapidus aims to narrow the gap with TSMC in 1nm process to around six months, as stated by its CTO in a recent interview.

The company admitted its initial trial of 2nm GAA process in July 2025 faced unsatisfactory transistor performance due to insufficient preparation. After intensive optimization between September and November 2025, its 2nm process improved significantly. Rapidus plans to produce 2nm test chips by late 2026 and start mass production in 2027.

As a key bridge between 2nm and 1nm, 1.4nm process will be fully developed in 2026 with mass production targeted for 2029. Rapidus continues close cooperation with IBM, with half of its engineers based in New York for joint R&D on GAA transistor technologies.

Supported by Japanese government funding and IBM’s technical partnership, Rapidus is accelerating advanced process development to catch up with TSMC and Samsung and gain an edge in the global advanced semiconductor race.

ICgoodFind : Rapidus is stepping up R&D on 1.4nm and 1nm processes to catch up with TSMC, reshaping the global advanced semiconductor landscape.