South Korea's Samsung Electronics says it is considering building a semiconductor research and development facility in Japan.
Samsung's executives revealed the plan in a meeting on Thursday with Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and representatives from major international chipmakers.
The officials said that establishment of an R&D facility for advanced semiconductor chips in Japan is currently under consideration.
They also said they are discussing the feasibility of joint research with Japanese material and chip manufacturing equipment companies, which hold large shares in the global market.
Informed sources say the R&D center will be likely built in Yokohama City, near Tokyo, where Samsung has a research facility for home electrical appliances.
Reuters has reported that Samsung will likely spend up to 40 billion yen, or about 290 million dollars, to build the new chip R&D center in Japan. The report says Samsung is considering applying for a Japanese government subsidy for the project.
Japan's industry ministry says it will consider providing Samsung with assistance in the form of subsidy if it receives an application from the firm.
It is increasingly important for Japan to secure a stable supply of advanced semiconductors for its economy as rivalry between the United States and China has intensified.
Samsung officials said the company is discussing enhancing its R&D with the Japanese firms and the government, but nothing has been decided yet.