Explosion At Mitsubishi Materials


A big explosion at a semiconductor plant shocked the electronics community last month. This article discusses what happened and the fallout on the semiconductor industry. The explosion occurred at the Mitsubishi Materials Yokkaichi plant in Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture, at about 2 p.m. on Jan. 9. Five people were killed and 12 others were injured, some seriously. Mitsubishi Materials issued ... » read more

Bluetooth Smart Becomes Centerpiece Of Internet Of Things


There was a consistent theme at the CEATEC 2013, which was held in Makuhari, Chiba Prefecture—Bluteooth Smart as an essential component of the Internet of Things. Photo 1 CEATEC hall Major parts makers such as Rohm and Murata, Mitsumi, and Alps, which are developing entire modules as well as discrete parts, proposed a number of solutions that will be used over the next two or three ... » read more

Inside Japan: The Applied Materials-Tokyo Electron Merger


The merger of Tokyo Electron and Applied Materials has turned heads around the globe, but behind the scenes in Japan there was a recognition that this deal had to be done now or it would never be possible. Releases from both companies describe it as a merger of equals, and the Japanese press has reported it that way. But international media outside of Japan take the view that Tokyo Electron ... » read more