Consul-General Attends KL20@Penang 2026 “Silicon Surge”
2026/9/24
On September 24th, Mr. Shinya Machida, Consul-General of Japan in Penang, attended KL20@Penang 2026 “Silicon Surge”, held at the Penang Waterfront Convention Centre (PWCC), and attended a series of sessions covering topics including the semiconductor industry, artificial intelligence (AI), IC design, advanced packaging, talent development, startups, and investment.
The sessions discussed the importance of Malaysia’s semiconductor industry expanding beyond its traditional strengths in manufacturing, assembly, and testing into higher value-added areas, including IC design, the development of proprietary IP and products, advanced packaging, and semiconductor manufacturing equipment. Participants also highlighted the importance of leveraging talent with experience at multinational companies to support the growth of local companies and startups, providing long-term capital for research and technology development, improving access to global markets, and promoting talent exchanges between universities and companies. In Penang, efforts are underway through Penang Silicon Design @5KM+ to strengthen the IC design ecosystem by providing facilities, shared equipment, talent development, and technological collaboration.
During the evening session on Malaysia-Japan semiconductor cooperation, representatives from companies and organisations from both countries discussed ways to develop the bilateral semiconductor relationship from one traditionally centred on investment and manufacturing into a two-way partnership encompassing joint technology development, commercialisation, advanced packaging, IC design, and AI-related semiconductors. The importance of combining Japanese technological strengths with Malaysian design and manufacturing capabilities and translating such cooperation into concrete products, customers and business opportunities was also emphasised.
Mr. Machida exchanged views with representatives of the Penang State Government, the semiconductor and investment sectors, as well as Japanese companies and universities. Discussions covered Penang’s industrial development, including the Silicon Island development project, cooperation between Japanese and Malaysian companies, financing for startups, and internship and talent exchange between Japan and Malaysia. Looking ahead to the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Malaysia and the 50th anniversary of the decision to establish the Consulate-General of Japan in Penang in 2027, the Consulate-General will continue to work closely with relevant stakeholders to further promote cooperation between Japan and Penang and other parts of northern Malaysia in semiconductors, AI and related technology fields.
The sessions discussed the importance of Malaysia’s semiconductor industry expanding beyond its traditional strengths in manufacturing, assembly, and testing into higher value-added areas, including IC design, the development of proprietary IP and products, advanced packaging, and semiconductor manufacturing equipment. Participants also highlighted the importance of leveraging talent with experience at multinational companies to support the growth of local companies and startups, providing long-term capital for research and technology development, improving access to global markets, and promoting talent exchanges between universities and companies. In Penang, efforts are underway through Penang Silicon Design @5KM+ to strengthen the IC design ecosystem by providing facilities, shared equipment, talent development, and technological collaboration.
During the evening session on Malaysia-Japan semiconductor cooperation, representatives from companies and organisations from both countries discussed ways to develop the bilateral semiconductor relationship from one traditionally centred on investment and manufacturing into a two-way partnership encompassing joint technology development, commercialisation, advanced packaging, IC design, and AI-related semiconductors. The importance of combining Japanese technological strengths with Malaysian design and manufacturing capabilities and translating such cooperation into concrete products, customers and business opportunities was also emphasised.
Mr. Machida exchanged views with representatives of the Penang State Government, the semiconductor and investment sectors, as well as Japanese companies and universities. Discussions covered Penang’s industrial development, including the Silicon Island development project, cooperation between Japanese and Malaysian companies, financing for startups, and internship and talent exchange between Japan and Malaysia. Looking ahead to the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Malaysia and the 50th anniversary of the decision to establish the Consulate-General of Japan in Penang in 2027, the Consulate-General will continue to work closely with relevant stakeholders to further promote cooperation between Japan and Penang and other parts of northern Malaysia in semiconductors, AI and related technology fields.
