Chapter 198
Micro LED Forum 2023 was held in Taiwan and I gave a lecture. As I gave a speech five years ago, it is clear that Taiwan is aiming to develop the micro LED display industry with the full support of the government. The LED industry in developed countries has been exposed to a discount offensive by Chinese LED manufacturers, with many of them either withdrawing from the market or just letting out a sigh of relief. Therefore, Taiwan's LED industry is aiming to realize micro LED displays for survival. Japan should emulate this kind of attitude. Support the rebirth of the industry before it disappears. It is inefficient to grow from nothing after being crushed. TSMC's bid to bring a factory to Kumamoto is not only an admission of failure in Japan's industrial policy by throwing away large sums of money, but also seems to have uncertain effects. Even so, the environment has changed greatly before and after the Covid-19. Chinese manufacturers, which were doing well, are no longer as strong as they once were, and interest in micro LED displays is lower than before. However, development is steadily moving forward. Five years ago, the expected applications were displays on TVs, smartphones, or at most smartwatches, but applications have been narrowed down to AR/VR glasses and transparent displays in cars and offices. The reason is that manufacturing costs are high and it cannot be used in low-value-added TVs, smartphones, etc., but it shows that what was just a pipe dream is becoming a reality. In many science fiction movies, 3D images are projected on a transparent display, which the protagonist controls using hand gestures. A cool display like this will motivate consumers to buy, even if the price is high. The presentations were by young engineers from AUO and Tianma, and listening to them, I felt that they were dream-like and interesting. Manufacturers in Taiwan and China are seriously working on developing technologies that would not even have the development budget in Europe, America, or Japan because they are unlikely to be realized or cost-effective. I am convinced that China, not the United States, will win the semiconductor war between the United States and China. Those who create demand for products in which semiconductors are used win. It's the same in the world of sports that you can't win unless you have clear objectives and means. There are three crucial points to create innovative products that even Harvard MBAs don't teach: Imagination, Passion, and Creativity. No matter how much we try to eliminate Chinese high-tech products, consumers still want cool products. Moreover, if the price was half that of the US-made one, which one would you buy? The winner will be clear. However, in order to realize a cool product, reliable technology is a prerequisite. From this perspective, cutting-edge technologies like the Photonic Crystals announced this time are the key to creating cool products. Japan should try to survive by playing the role of providing technology that fills the gaps in the knowledge and experience that passionate young companies in China and Taiwan lack. If you don't like it, Japanese government have to put more effort (money and people) into application development. Now that the Covid-19 threat has passed, people's attention has shifted to cool technology again. Web lectures are fun, but it's much more fun to go to Taiwan, where you sweat like a waterfall, walk through the smelly streets, and feel the audience's reactions first-hand. No matter how much technology advances, it can't match the real experience.
A scene of Micro LED Forum 2023
The Photonic Crystal Micro UV-LED
September 7, 2023
Micro LED Forum 2023 was held in real
