Sony Group and TSMC (TSM.N) plan a joint venture to mass-produce next-generation
image sensors in Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, targeting production as early as
2029. Sony would hold about 60% and TSMC about 40%; total investment is expected
around ¥1 trillion (about $6.3 bln). The partners expect to finalize large-scale
production investment soon and form the JV by the end of fiscal 2026 (March
2027). The plant is intended to supply high-performance camera sensors for Apple
iPhones and to improve sensor performance for AI object recognition aimed at
emerging "physical AI" applications.