Tokyo, March 31 -- Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry announced Monday that it will provide up to 802.5 billion yen (about 5.4 billion U.S. dollars) in additional support to Rapidus, a company aiming to mass-produce cutting-edge semiconductors. With the latest funding, the total government support for Rapidus could reach approximately 1.72 trillion yen. Rapidus, founded in 2022, is spearheading Japan's efforts to regain a competitive edge in the global semiconductor industry. The company plans to launch trial production in April at its factory in Chitose, Hokkaido, with the goal of achieving full-scale mass production by 2027. The ministry has already provided funding for the construction of the facility and will now extend fi...