Fujitsu Taps Rapidus 1.4-Nanometer Process for AI Inference NPU
Fujitsu is developing its in-house Monaka CPU for the AI infrastructure and supercomputing markets. It is now also adopting an advanced process from Japanese foundry Rapidus to develop an inference NPU, aiming to reduce reliance on high-end chips from overseas and strengthen Japan’s semiconductor supply-chain autonomy.
The latest plan calls for the AI inference NPU, built using Rapidus’ 1.4-nanometer process, to be integrated with the Monaka CPU in a single package, with supply expected to begin in 2029. The project has received funding from Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization, or NEDO, but the amount of the subsidy and the exact mass-production date have not been disclosed.
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The history behind this eventFujitsu Plans Global MONAKA AI Chip Launch With TSMC
Fujitsu is moving deeper into the data-center computing market with MONAKA, an internally designed processor aimed at artificial intelligence workloads. The chip will mark the Japanese technology group’s first commercial sale of an advanced AI processor to outside customers. Production by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. using its 2-nanometer process would pair Fujitsu’s chip-design expertise with one of the industry’s most advanced manufacturing technologies.
Fujitsu plans to begin exporting MONAKA to global markets in 2027 and has secured U.S. server maker Super Micro Computer as a customer, according to reports. The company also intends to sell AI servers equipped with the processor, expanding beyond standalone chip shipments into complete systems. Fujitsu is targeting cumulative MONAKA-related revenue of 250 billion yen by fiscal 2030 as it seeks a larger share of AI infrastructure spending.
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