JASMINE’s main objective is to support the European Commission in its effort to re-establish the global position of Europe in the semiconductor value chain, as advocated by the European Chips Act, by identifying topics in which research cooperation with Japan will be beneficial to the growth of European industry.
The project key objectives are to:
- Conduct a comprehensive mapping of semiconductor value chains and monitor them to improve security of supply and identify R&D cooperation opportunities.
- Identify joint research and innovation (R&I) priorities to prepare for future collaborative R&I Initiatives
- Foster talent development through staff exchange programs, job fairs, and academic-industry collaborations
- Enhance cooperation between the EU and Japan on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology to support sustainable semiconductor manufacturing.
Towards mutual innovation and excellence between Eu and Japan
"The JASMINE project outlines a framework for a strategic partnership between Japan and the European Union to foster mutual innovation and excellence in the semiconductor industry. By leveraging our collective strengths in research, development, and manufacturing, we can accelerate technological advancements, enhance global competitiveness, harness our excellent talent and build more resilient supply chains."
Advance the state-of-the-art
in semiconductor design, manufacturing, and sustainability through joint EU Japan R&I initiatives.
Map and analyze
supply chains, identifying strategic dependencies and opportunities for resilience
Promote talent mobility
including MSCA fellowships and staff exchanges, addressing critical skills gaps.
Align regulatory frameworks
particularly in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), to support sustainable semiconductor production
Catalyze industrial partnerships
leveraging matchmaking events and joint workshops to foster collaboration between EU and Japanese stakeholders
Strengthen strategic cooperation between the EU and Japan in the semiconductor sector
In alignment with the European Chips Act, the project aims to enhance the resilience, sustainability, and competitiveness of the EU semiconductor ecosystem by leveraging Japan’s complementary strengths in materials science, manufacturing equipment, and advanced packaging.
- Scientific: JASMINE will generate new knowledge on semiconductor ecosystems, sustainability metrics, and cross border innovation models
- Technological: It will strengthen EU–Japan industrial cooperation, accelerate next-gen chip development, and enhance supply chain security
- Societal: By supporting talent development and sustainability, JASMINE contributes to economic resilience and the twin green-digital transition
Increasing cooperation in academia and industry
At present, EU firms, research institutes, and industry associations in Japan often operate in isolation, limiting their collective influence and visibility. Through this project, a coordinated framework will be established to enhance information-sharing, joint lobbying efforts, and collaborative initiatives.
On the qualitative side, stronger alignment enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of EU engagement with Japanese counterparts, enabling a more coherent voice, greater strategic consistency, and more robust partnerships.
On the quantitative side, the substantial presence of EU firms in Japan’s semiconductor and electronics sectors means that aligning even a portion of these actors could generate tangible increases in investment flows, collaborative projects, and coordinated market penetration strategies.
Fostering of joint EU - Japan R&D on emerging technologies
The semiconductor industry is among the most R&D intensive sectors worldwide. European companies typically reinvest 15-20% of their revenues into research and development, while in Japan the figure ranges between 10-15%. As the industry moves into emerging domains—such as advanced materials, quantum computing, neuromorphic chips, and energy-efficient architectures, coordinated and large-scale investment becomes essential to remain globally competitive.
This project will propose structured joint research programs designed to pool EU and Japanese expertise, infrastructure, and funding. By fostering collaboration rather than parallel efforts, the initiative will leverage complementary strengths and reduce duplication. Enabling even 10–15 joint R&D projects in emerging technology domains could accelerate the time-to-market of innovative solutions by 2–3 years compared with unilateral efforts, while also strengthening long-term strategic cooperation between Europe and Japan.