SEMICON West Pre-event in Arizona

On November 15, the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles hosted a pre-event for SEMICON West, a microelectronics exhibition, with 100+ participants joining the reception and seminar. The event was held in anticipation of SEMICON West moving from San Francisco Bay Area to Phoenix in 2025 and was co-hosted by JETRO Los Angeles and the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA).
 
Arizona has become a hotspot for semiconductor investment, and the event included a seminar to help attendees deepen their understanding of Arizona’s semiconductor ecosystem. Presentations by SEMI Americas, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Arizona, and a panel discussion with four semiconductor companies in Arizona provided key industry insights, including how to leverage SEMICON West for business development, the activities of Japanese companies in Arizona, potential areas for increased international collaboration, and more.
 
Following the seminar, a networking reception was held and was joined by all the seminar participants as well as several local businesses and organizations in Arizona. The reception kicked off with opening remarks by Consul General Kenko Sone, ACA President & CEO Sandra Watson, and JETRO Institute of Developing Economies Executive Vice President Mio Kawada. Attendees enjoyed Japanese food and drinks while networking and deepening their connections in Arizona for future activities. The reception also featured booths by organizations that can assist Japanese companies expanding in Arizona.  
 
Seminar Speakers & Panelists:

• John Cooney, Vice President of Global Advocacy and Public Policy, SEMI Americas
• Chris Masuyama, CEO, Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Arizona
• Ali Torabi, CEO, Lawrence Semiconductor Research Laboratory
• Sam Salama, CEO, Hyperion Technologies
• Tadashi Kamewada, Owner, AZ Supply Chain Solutions
• Yoji Nakajima, Director, TOKYO ELECTRON AMERICA and President, Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Arizona