The American Semiconductor Industry and the Ascendancy of East Asia

The story of world competition in the manufacture of semiconductors among the industrialized nations is a familiar one, but the role of the developing nations of Northeast and Southeast Asia in the growth of the industry is less widely known and understood. This article examines this regions' past, present, and future role in the development of the world semiconductor industry. The countries now beginning to play a major role in this industry include: South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Indonesia. They are examined individually in this article.