Japan’s gamble to turn island of flowers into global chip hub

Japan’s high-stakes gamble to turn island of flowers into global chip hub Just now Suranjana TewariAsia business correspondent, Hokkaido, Japan The island of Hokkaido has long been an agricultural powerhouse – now Japan is investing billions to turn it into a global hub for advanced semiconductors. More than half of Japan’s dairy produce comes from Hokkaido, the northernmost of its main islands. In winter, it’s a wonderland of ski resorts and ice-sculpture festivals; in summer, fields bloom with bands of lavender, poppies and sunflowers. These days, cranes are popping up across the island – building factories, research centres and universities…