On August 17, 2025, Governor Taizo Mikazuki of Shiga Prefecture held a meeting with Tomomi Morishima, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Ritsumeikan University, and members including Kenntaro Kaneko, Director of the Ritsumeikan University Semiconductor Applied Research Center (RISA).

This meeting builds upon the outcomes of monthly communications between the two parties since December 2023, when Ritsumeikan University and Shiga Prefecture agreed to advance the semiconductor initiative, and October 2024, when the university's request was formally presented by its chairman to the prefectural governor.

The Ritsumeikan University side, while acknowledging the progress made by Shiga Prefecture in its initiatives, reiterated the importance of promptly establishing a research and development hub near the university and securing semiconductor professionals. Director Kenntaro Kaneko highlighted the projected continued growth in semiconductor demand and emphasized Shiga Prefecture's suitability for the semiconductor industry. He also cited the example of TSMC's Kumamoto Prefecture factory, suggesting that logistics infrastructure issues could become a challenge for industrial development.

Governor Taizo Mikazuki of Shiga Prefecture emphasized the importance of strengthening collaboration with Ritsumeikan University and expressed his intention to consider establishing a research and development hub.

He also mentioned the necessity of setting strategic goals and building collaborative frameworks within the semiconductor field.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Shiga Prefecture proposed collaborations beyond the semiconductor field, such as developing entrepreneurship education programs and joint research in the well-being sector. Mr. Tomomi Morishima, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Ritsumeikan, graciously agreed to the proposal, underscoring his strong commitment to future collaboration.

The Ritsumeikan University Semiconductor Applied Research Center and Shiga Prefecture will continue to further promote industry-academia-government collaboration. Through contributing to the establishment of research and development hubs and human resource development, they will work together to advance regional industry development within the prefecture and drive innovation in semiconductor technology.