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TSMC and Sony semiconductor recruitment in Japan has become one of the most searched job topics of 2026, because two of the biggest names in chips, TSMC (through its Japanese foundry JASM) and Sony Semiconductor Manufacturing, run large plants side by side in Kumamoto Prefecture on the island of Kyushu. These fabs need graduate engineers, maintenance technicians, cleanroom operators and support staff, and the surrounding supplier companies also advertise cleanroom assembly and operator roles that can suit freshers with patience and attention to detail. This guide explains which roles exist, what recent listings pay and how foreign applicants should approach them.
The centre of the work is Kikuyo town in Kikuchi District, Kumamoto. JASM (Japan Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing) is majority-owned by TSMC (about 86.5%), with Sony Semiconductor Solutions (about 6%), Denso (about 5.5%) and Toyota (about 2%) as minority shareholders. Its Fab 1 in Kikuyo began mass production in December 2024, making 12–28nm-class chips, and main construction of the adjacent Fab 2 began in October 2025. In February 2026 TSMC’s CEO said Fab 2 will make 3nm-class chips, which would be TSMC’s first 3nm production in Japan. Sony’s image-sensor plant, Kumamoto TEC, is also in Kikuyo, and Sony is building a new ¥180 billion image-sensor plant in neighbouring Koshi, about 1.5 km away, with supply planned from May 2029.
On the visa side, the routes differ by job type. Factory-floor and cleanroom assembly roles at electronic component and device makers may potentially fit Japan’s Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) field Industrial Products Manufacturing, which covers the electronic components and devices industry, depending on exact duties and occupational classification. Engineering roles that require a degree in electronics, physics, chemistry or materials are usually considered under the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services status instead. Neither route is automatic, and a job advertisement is never a visa guarantee.
TSMC & Sony Semiconductor Jobs 2026 – Quick Overview
| Job Title | Cleanroom Operator, Equipment Assembler, Graduate Engineer, CAD Operator |
| Country | Japan |
| Location | Kikuyo, Koshi and Kikuchi area, Kumamoto Prefecture |
| Employers | JASM (TSMC Kumamoto), Sony Semiconductor Manufacturing, local suppliers and agencies |
| Industry | Semiconductor manufacturing (logic chips and image sensors) |
| Indicative Salary | ¥230,000 – ¥270,000 per month for operator and assembly roles |
| Experienced Salary | ¥280,000 and above for graduate engineers (reported 2024 starting pay at JASM) |
| Education | 12th pass or diploma for operator roles; engineering degree for engineer roles |
| Experience | Freshers may be considered for some cleanroom assembly listings |
| Japanese | Basic (N4) for factory roles; higher for engineering and team roles |
| Work Type | Full-time, contract or dispatch depending on employer |
| Work Schedule | Day shift or rotating shifts; some listings have weekends off |
| Accommodation | May be offered by some employers or agencies; not standard |
| Overtime | Commonly around 20–30 hours per month in listings, paid extra |
What Does a Semiconductor Worker Do?
A semiconductor worker helps turn silicon wafers into working chips or sensors, either by running and watching production equipment, assembling and maintaining the machines, or engineering the process itself.
- Wears a full cleanroom suit, mask, gloves and shoe covers before entering the production area
- Loads and unloads wafer carriers on automated tools following set procedures
- Watches equipment screens and reports alarms or unusual readings to a leader
- Sorts, counts and labels small parts used inside semiconductor equipment
- Assembles sub-units of production machines under step-by-step instructions
- Records lot numbers, times and checks in a computer or paper log
- Carries out visual inspection of parts using magnifiers or microscopes
- Cleans tools, trays and work surfaces to strict contamination rules
- Supports maintenance staff during planned equipment shutdowns
- Draws or updates simple drawings in CAD software (CAD operator roles)
- Analyses yield and defect data to improve processes (engineer roles)
- Follows chemical safety rules and emergency procedures
- Joins short morning meetings and shift handover briefings
Types of TSMC & Sony Semiconductor Jobs
JASM (TSMC Kumamoto) Process and Equipment Engineers
JASM hires process engineers, equipment engineers and facilities staff directly, mainly from engineering graduates and experienced candidates. These roles focus on keeping Fab 1 running and preparing for Fab 2.
JASM Technicians and Operators
JASM also needs technicians and operators to run the line around the clock. Requirements and language expectations should be checked on JASM’s official recruitment page.
Sony Semiconductor Manufacturing Cleanroom Operators
Sony’s Kumamoto TEC makes image sensors, and plants of this type rely on cleanroom operators and equipment maintenance staff. Sony’s exact current recruitment details are not published in a form we could verify, so check Sony Semiconductor Manufacturing’s own careers page.
Sony Equipment Maintenance and Engineering Staff
Image-sensor production depends on precise equipment, so maintenance and engineering roles are a core part of any sensor fab. The new Koshi plant may add to this need as it moves toward its planned 2029 supply start.
Semiconductor Equipment Assembly (Supplier Companies)
Supplier companies around Kikuchi advertise cleanroom work assembling semiconductor equipment and sorting parts, often with no experience required. These are frequently dispatch (agency) roles.
CAD Operators and Plant Operators
Electrical and equipment firms with Kumamoto plants advertise CAD operator and operator positions linked to semiconductor projects, usually for people with basic computer skills.
TSMC & Sony Semiconductor Salary 2026
| Position | Indicative Monthly Salary |
| JASM Graduate Engineer (bachelor’s, reported 2024) | ¥280,000 |
| Cleanroom Equipment Assembler | ¥240,000 – ¥290,000 (hourly ¥1,500 – ¥1,700) |
| Cleanroom Parts Sorting Staff | ¥240,000 – ¥290,000 (hourly ¥1,500 – ¥1,700) |
| Semiconductor Plant Operator | ¥200,600 – ¥255,000 |
| CAD Operator | ¥200,600 – ¥255,000 (hourly ¥1,180 – ¥1,500) |
These figures come from recent listings and reported starting pay, and actual offers can vary by employer, shift pattern and overtime. Hourly roles are usually paid only for hours worked, while monthly figures may or may not include shift and overtime allowances, so always ask what is base pay and what is extra. For context, Kumamoto’s minimum wage for FY2025 is ¥1,034 per hour, after the largest increase of any prefecture that year.
TSMC & Sony Semiconductor Jobs for Foreign Workers
For production and assembly roles, the relevant SSW field is Industrial Products Manufacturing, which explicitly includes the electronic components, devices and electronic circuits industry. The field expanded from 10 to 17 business categories in June 2026, including electrical and electronic equipment assembly. An important rule: SSW manufacturing workers must be employed directly by an eligible manufacturer that is a member of JAIM, the industry body for this field. Dispatch (agency) employment is not allowed under this SSW field, so many agency cleanroom listings would not suit an SSW holder.
For engineering roles at JASM or Sony, applicants generally need a relevant degree and a job offer that matches their field of study, and these are usually considered under the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services status. We could not verify any official statement that JASM or Sony sponsors visas for overseas applicants, so you should not assume every vacancy qualifies or that recruiting from abroad is offered.
People already living in Japan with a residence status that allows any work, such as permanent residents or spouses of Japanese nationals, have more flexibility and can apply to dispatch and direct roles alike. Whatever your situation, never pay an unlicensed agent who promises a fab job, and remember that a job advertisement is not a visa guarantee.
Japanese Language Requirement
Language needs depend heavily on the role. Cleanroom safety briefings, work instructions and alarm messages are usually in Japanese, and Kumamoto is a regional area where daily life runs in Japanese.
- Cleanroom operators and assemblers: basic Japanese (around JLPT N4) to follow instructions and safety rules
- CAD and plant operators: N4–N3 helpful for reading drawings and reports
- Engineers: N3–N2 or above often preferred; some teams with Taiwanese colleagues may use English or Chinese, but this varies
- Reading katakana and common kanji for chemical and safety labels is a big advantage
For the SSW (i) route, applicants normally need to pass the JFT-Basic test or JLPT N4 or above, along with the manufacturing skills test.
Eligibility
- Minimum 18 years old to work legally in Japan
- A residence status that permits the specific job, or eligibility for one
- Good eyesight and steady hands for fine assembly and inspection
- Ability to work long periods in a cleanroom suit
- No serious allergies that prevent use of masks, gloves or cleanroom materials
- Willingness to follow strict rules on cosmetics, jewellery and personal items in clean areas
- For engineers: a relevant degree that matches the job description
- Clean immigration record and valid passport
Education Qualification
Operator and assembly roles in semiconductor supply chains usually ask for school completion rather than a degree, though technical background helps. Engineering roles at JASM and Sony are degree-based.
- Cleanroom operator and parts sorting: 10th or 12th pass may be considered
- Equipment assembly: ITI or diploma in electronics, electrical or fitting is useful
- CAD operator: diploma or certificate in CAD, mechanical or electrical drafting
- Process and equipment engineers: B.Tech/BE or B.Sc in electronics, electrical, physics, chemistry or materials science
Daily Work of a Semiconductor Worker
- Arrive early, change into company uniform and store phone and personal items in a locker.
- Attend a short shift briefing on production targets, equipment status and safety notes.
- Pass through the gowning room: suit, hood, mask, gloves and boots, then the air shower.
- Check the handover log from the previous shift for any tool issues.
- Load wafer carriers or parts trays and start the assigned process or assembly task.
- Monitor screens and gauges, recording readings at fixed intervals.
- Inspect finished parts or sub-assemblies under magnification and separate any defects.
- Take a timed break, which means de-gowning and re-gowning on return.
- Help clean tools and work areas according to contamination procedures.
- Update production records and report any problem to the leader before leaving.
Safety is taken very seriously in fabs, with chemical, gas and electrical hazards controlled through training, so new staff should expect several days of induction before working independently.
Working Hours
- Standard 8-hour shifts, typically 5 days a week
- Day-only listings exist for assembly and sorting work
- Fab production often runs 24 hours, so rotating shifts are common for operators
- Night shift allowances apply when working late hours
- Overtime in listings is often around 20–30 hours per month
Exact hours depend on the employer and the line, so confirm shift patterns before signing.
Accommodation
- Some agencies offer company apartments or rent support for workers relocating to Kumamoto
- Large employers may provide housing allowances rather than dorms
- Rents in Kikuyo and nearby towns have risen with fab expansion, so budget carefully
- Many plants are easiest to reach by car or company bus
- Shared housing with other workers can be an option through agencies
Always check whether rent, utilities and furniture are deducted from your salary before accepting housing.
Benefits
- Health insurance and employees’ pension through the employer
- Employment insurance and workers’ accident compensation
- Overtime, night shift and holiday pay
- Commuting allowance in many listings
- Paid leave after the qualifying period
- Bonuses at some direct employers (for example the CAD and operator listing mentions a bonus)
- Training on cleanroom procedures and equipment
Actual benefits depend on whether you are a direct employee, contract worker or dispatch worker, and on your contract.
Career Growth
Cleanroom Operator → Senior Operator → Equipment Technician → Supervisor
- Operators who learn equipment basics can move toward technician roles
- Assemblers at equipment makers can grow into field service or maintenance work
- Engineers can specialise in process, yield, equipment or facilities
- Japanese language progress opens leadership and training roles
- Experience in Kumamoto may be valued by other fabs, such as KIOXIA in Mie and Iwate or Rapidus in Hokkaido
Skills That Can Improve Your Chances
- Previous cleanroom, pharmaceutical or electronics factory experience
- Comfort with long periods in protective clothing
- Careful, repeatable hand work with small parts
- Basic computer and data-entry skills
- Reading technical drawings or using AutoCAD
- Understanding of 5S and contamination control
- JLPT N4 or higher, plus willingness to keep studying
- Basic electrical or mechanical knowledge from ITI or diploma
- Good attendance record and punctuality
- For engineers: knowledge of lithography, etching, deposition or statistical process control
Documents Required
- Valid passport
- Updated CV in Japanese format (rirekisho) or English, as requested
- Education certificates and mark sheets
- Degree certificate and transcripts for engineering roles
- Experience letters from previous employers
- Japanese language test certificate (JLPT or JFT-Basic)
- SSW skills test result where applicable
- Passport-size photographs
- Residence card if you are already in Japan
Document requirements vary by employer and visa route, so follow the list given by the employer and Immigration Services Agency.
How to Apply Online
Step 1: Prepare Your CV
Write a clear one- or two-page CV highlighting any cleanroom, electronics or technical experience.
Step 2: Describe Your Skills
Explain precise hand work, inspection, equipment or software skills with short real examples.
Step 3: Gather Certificates
Collect education, language and experience certificates and keep scanned copies ready.
Step 4: Check the Job Category
Confirm whether the role is direct, contract or dispatch and which residence status it fits, especially if you plan to use SSW.
Step 5: Complete Required Tests
Pass the manufacturing SSW skills test and JFT-Basic or JLPT N4 if you are using the SSW route.
Step 6: Attend the Interview
Apply through the official JASM recruitment page, Sony Semiconductor Manufacturing’s careers page or licensed agencies, and prepare for online or in-person interviews.
Step 7: Review the Contract
Check pay, shifts, overtime, housing deductions and contract length carefully before signing.
Step 8: Complete Immigration Procedures
Your employer applies for the Certificate of Eligibility, after which you apply for the visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate.
TSMC & Sony Semiconductor Jobs 2026 – FAQs
Is JASM the same company as TSMC?
JASM is TSMC’s majority-owned Japanese foundry in Kumamoto, with Sony, Denso and Toyota as minority shareholders.
Where exactly are these jobs?
Mainly in Kikuyo town and nearby Koshi and Kikuchi in Kumamoto Prefecture, Kyushu.
Can freshers get semiconductor jobs in Kumamoto?
Some supplier listings for cleanroom assembly and parts sorting say no experience is required, but language and visa status still matter.
What is the starting salary for a graduate engineer at JASM?
Reported 2024 starting pay for bachelor’s graduates was ¥280,000 per month; check the official page for current figures.
Can I join through an agency on an SSW visa?
No, the manufacturing SSW field requires direct employment by an eligible manufacturer, so dispatch roles do not fit.
Is Sony’s new Koshi plant hiring now?
The Koshi plant is planned to start supply from May 2029, so check Sony’s careers page for any current recruitment.
Do I need Japanese for cleanroom work?
Basic Japanese is usually expected because safety instructions and procedures are in Japanese.
Is this a guaranteed job offer?
No. This article is information only; selection depends on the employer’s process and immigration approval.
Final Words
Kumamoto has become Japan’s best-known chip hub, and the presence of JASM and Sony side by side means steady demand for engineers, technicians and cleanroom staff over the coming years. Freshers can look at supplier assembly and sorting roles, while graduates with the right degree can target the fabs directly. Check official recruitment pages, prepare your Japanese, understand which visa route fits your role, and never pay money to unlicensed agents.
Disclaimer: All salary figures mentioned in this article are indicative estimates based on published job listings and industry data and may vary by employer, location, experience, and contract terms. They do not represent a guaranteed salary, job offer, or visa approval. This website is not affiliated with TSMC, JASM or Sony Semiconductor.