Analysis: South Korea and Taiwan each surpassed Japan in total exports for the first time in H1 2026, as AI demand drove explosive growth in chip exports (Nikkei Asia)
TOKYO — South Korea and Taiwan each surpassed Japan in total exports for the first time during the first half of 2026, according to a Nikkei analysis.
South Korea and Taiwan have each surpassed Japan in total exports for the first time during the first half of 2026. According to Nikkei Asia, this milestone was driven by explosive growth in chip exports, fueled by demand for artificial intelligence.
The growth in chip exports was led by companies such as SK Hynix Inc., which is planning a significant expansion of its chipmaking facilities in South Korea. The company will invest 54 trillion won ($38 billion) to build a new DRAM manufacturing facility in Yongin and a NAND fabrication plant in Cheongju. This move aims to double its production capacity and address the global shortage of memory chips.
The increasing demand for memory chips is attributed to the growing need for AI infrastructure. SK Hynix, a key partner to Nvidia Corp., has seen its production capacity sold out through 2027, with long-term deals secured with customers. The company plans to break ground on the project in July next year, with the goal of opening the first cleanroom by June 2029.
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