Consul-General’s Visit to Inari Amertron Berhad
2026/8/20
On August 20th, Mr. Shinya Machida, Consul-General of Japan in Penang, visited Inari Amertron Berhad in Bayan Lepas, Penang, where he exchanged views with Mr. KC Lau (Lau Kean Cheong), Group CEO and Executive Director, and toured the company’s manufacturing facilities. Inari Amertron is a Malaysian semiconductor company whose core business is outsourced semiconductor assembly and test (OSAT), with activities covering radio frequency (RF), optical communications, sensors and other semiconductor-related fields.
During the meeting, Mr. Lau explained Inari Amertron’s growth over the years as well as its expanding activities in optical communications and photonics, driven by growing demand from AI and data centres. They also exchanged views on automation in semiconductor manufacturing, future workforce requirements, and Inari’s collaboration with local companies in Penang to develop equipment and manufacturing solutions and to strengthen the local semiconductor supply chain.
During the factory tour, Mr. Machida was briefed on the assembly and testing processes for RF and optical communication products, various testing systems and customised automation equipment. The visit also provided an opportunity to deepen his understanding of the challenges associated with the continued expansion of Penang’s semiconductor industry, including the use of AI in inspection processes, securing sufficient water and power supplies, and developing highly skilled human resources.
Mr. Machida also introduced the potential contributions of Japanese companies in areas such as semiconductor manufacturing equipment, materials, automation and water-related technologies, as well as opportunities for human resource development and industry-academia collaboration with Japanese universities. The Consulate-General will continue to make every possible effort, building on the knowledge and networks gained through visits such as this, to strengthen ties between Japanese and Malaysian companies and to promote closer industry-academia collaboration between Japan and Malaysia.
During the meeting, Mr. Lau explained Inari Amertron’s growth over the years as well as its expanding activities in optical communications and photonics, driven by growing demand from AI and data centres. They also exchanged views on automation in semiconductor manufacturing, future workforce requirements, and Inari’s collaboration with local companies in Penang to develop equipment and manufacturing solutions and to strengthen the local semiconductor supply chain.
During the factory tour, Mr. Machida was briefed on the assembly and testing processes for RF and optical communication products, various testing systems and customised automation equipment. The visit also provided an opportunity to deepen his understanding of the challenges associated with the continued expansion of Penang’s semiconductor industry, including the use of AI in inspection processes, securing sufficient water and power supplies, and developing highly skilled human resources.
Mr. Machida also introduced the potential contributions of Japanese companies in areas such as semiconductor manufacturing equipment, materials, automation and water-related technologies, as well as opportunities for human resource development and industry-academia collaboration with Japanese universities. The Consulate-General will continue to make every possible effort, building on the knowledge and networks gained through visits such as this, to strengthen ties between Japanese and Malaysian companies and to promote closer industry-academia collaboration between Japan and Malaysia.