[Edaily Reporter JAEMIN SONG ] SK hynix held its first-ever “Partners Day” in Japan, inviting key local partners. The event was designed to share mid- to long-term business plans and technology roadmaps in response to growing demand for artificial intelligence (AI) memory, as well as to strengthen supply chain cooperation with Japanese semiconductor materials, components, and equipment companies.

SK hynix announced on the 30th that it held “Partners Day” on the 29th in Chiba Prefecture, Japan, with approximately 20 key local business partners. This marks the first time the event—which has traditionally been held annually in Korea with executives from major domestic partners—has been hosted in Japan.

The event was attended by materials companies such as Shin-Etsu, Sumco, JSR, and Namics; equipment companies such as Tokyo Electron (TEL) and Screen Holdings; and back-end and testing companies such as Disco and TES CO., LTD. Partners from a total of five sectors, including components and infrastructure, were in attendance. SK hynix was represented by key executives and staff, including Lee Byung-ki, Chief Production Officer (CPO); Kang Yu-jong, Head of Procurement; and Choi WOOJIN INC, Head of the P&T Division.

The event began with a welcome address by Executive Vice President Kang Yu-jong and a congratulatory speech by Fumio Akiya, Chairman of Shin-Etsu. Following this, Executive Vice President Lee Hyun-cheol, in charge of Procurement Strategy, presented SK hynix’s current business status and mid- to long-term direction, while Executive Vice President Lee Seong-hoon, in charge of R&D Processes, introduced key technologies and the future development roadmap.

SK hynix explained that it proactively shared relevant information to enable its partners to anticipate future demand and proceed with facility investments and the securing of production capacity. The company plans to continue expanding communication between management and operational staff to enhance the stability of its local supply chain in Japan.

Hiroshi Ishida, Executive Vice President (COO) of Tokyo Electron, stated, “With the advancement of AI, memory manufacturing processes are becoming more sophisticated faster than ever before.” He added, “Sharing mid- to long-term roadmaps with SK hynix at an early stage and maintaining close dialogue at the executive level provides a solid foundation for technology development and investment decisions.” He went on to say that the company would expand cooperation from the early stages of development to support semiconductor manufacturing in the AI era.

CPO Lee Byung-ki said, “The capabilities of our Japanese partners are a key factor in enhancing SK hynix’s technological competitiveness,” adding, “We will expand our cooperation to ensure that the mutually complementary South Korean and Japanese semiconductor ecosystems grow together.”

Executive Vice President Kang Yu-jong emphasized, “Close collaboration with our materials, parts, and equipment partners is the very foundation of semiconductor competitiveness in the AI era,” adding, “We will work as one team with our Japanese partners to tackle next-generation technology challenges and jointly secure technological innovation and stable supply capabilities.”