Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba¡¯s Cabinet approved a bill Friday designed to allow the government to invest in Tokyo-based Rapidus, which aims to build the world¡¯s first 2-nanometer semiconductor manufacturing plants in Chitose, Hokkaido, through quasi-government entities.

The bill comes nearly three months after the Ishiba government announced that it wants to provide ?10 trillion ($650.9 billion) in funding by fiscal 2030 for artificial intelligence- and semiconductor-related facilities and equipment, including ?4 trillion in financial support, a portion of which is expected to help Rapidus¡¯ operation.

If the bill clears parliament, the government will be allowed to issue public bonds to cover the financial resources required for measures to ensure the stable chip production of cutting-edge semiconductors at Rapidus through March 2031.