TAIPEI, Aug 11 (Reuters) - Taiwanese chipmaker TSMC and Sony Group said on Tuesday they will form a $4.69 billion joint venture to develop and make next-generation image sensors in southern Japan, with volume production expected to start in 2029.
Sony will be the controlling shareholder and invest 465 billion yen ($2.92 billion), while TSMC will invest 282 billion yen, the companies said in a joint statement.
The venture, Advanced Vision Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp, will be based in Kumamoto, where TSMC operates its Japan Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing (JASM) chip plant.
The joint venture will serve as a core hub for the development and production of image sensors for smartphones, using advanced manufacturing technology, the companies said.
In addition to the investments by Sony and TSMC, the companies said funding needed to achieve the planned production capacity is being considered on the assumption that Japanese government support will be available.
($1 = 159.3300 yen)
(Reporting by Ben Blanchard Editing by Andrew Heavens and Mark Potter)
