One, this helped them to meet US-imposed quotas (which the US was still complaining about as of 1996!). Two, it got them out of the hot seat on processor chips and OSes since the Tron project was specifically cited in the US trade laws. Also, many Japanese companies were sure that if they moved into processors, it would cause all sorts of litigation problems with Intel (see the law passed in 1984).
Here is the chronology:
http://www.semichips.org/abt_history.cfm
1984
Chip Protection Act becomes law, creating the first new form of intellectual property protection in the United States since the 19th century.
Congress revises anti-trust laws to allow joint R&D consortia. IBM develops a one-million bit RAM. Anti-lock brakes begin using microcontrollers. Apple introduces the Macintosh computer.
1985
U.S. and Japanese governments agree to eliminate tariffs on semiconductors. SIA files petition with U.S. government, citing unfair Japanese market barriers.
Intel drops out of DRAM business.
1986
U.S. and Japan sign agreement to end dumping practices and open Japan’s market; yet nine of eleven U.S. DRAM manufacturers leave market, and Japan overtakes U.S. as the world’s leading semiconductor producer. Japanese firms lose $4 billion in quest for semiconductor dominance.
Compaq unveils 386-based PCs.
Bell Labs introduces neural network chips that mimic the way some brain cells retrieve stored information and solve problems.
1987
SIA forms SEMATECH, a consortium of chip manufacturers dedicated to improving manufacturing technology.
U.S. imposes $300 million in trade sanctions against Japan for failing to comply with anti-dumping agreement.
U.S. EPROM manufacturers regain worldwide lead; next to DRAM, EPROMs are most critical commodity product.
1988
Reduced Instruction Set Chip (RISC) technology becomes available commercially, allowing faster, less memory-intensive programming options.
1989
SIA commissions reproductive health study to determine if some chemicals used in chip plants cause health problems.
1990
Panasonic Palmcorder is introduced using LSI Logic chips. LSI was the first U.S. company to design a chip specifically for a Japanese company’s consumer product.
Internet use tops 100,000.
1991
Japan & U.S. announce new trade agreement committing Japan to open its market to foreign semiconductors and providing a strong deterrent to dumping.
1992
Reproductive health study recommends phasing out some chemicals used in manufacturing chips.
Technology experts gather to design a 15-year roadmap for national semiconductor research needs.
Microsoft introduces Windows 3.1.
1993
U.S. overtakes Japan in worldwide chip sales.
IBM and Motorola introduce RISC chip for PCs.
Harris Corp. introduces Monster Power ICs (MCT). They help motorized products from refrigerators to jet fighters operate more efficiently.
1994
U.S. Labor Department ranks the semiconductor industry as America’s second safest, reflecting a dramatic reduction in work-related injury and illness rates among domestic semiconductor workers.
The semiconductor industry surpasses $100 billion sales.
1995
Foreign share of Japanese market exceeds 20 percent for the first time.
1996
U.S. fabrication facility growth explodes as chips become increasingly prevalent in new consumer products. High-end chips make computer networking, telephone communications and internet connections faster and smarter.
AT&T spins off Lucent, the portion of the telephone giant once known as Bell Labs.
U.S. and Japan approve new trade agreement on semiconductors as foreign share in Japan approaches 30 percent.
1997
SIA unveils the Focus Center Program. The new consortium is designed to tackle technology roadblocks by focusing on long-term research (eight years and beyond).
A new edition of the National Technology Roadmap is released worldwide.
1998
Replace with - SIA creates a Workforce Strategy Committee to address the critical need of an increased and educated workforce.
New study shows that the semiconductor industry is the No. 1 driver of growth for the U.S. economy, providing jobs for 260,000 people and creating an additional 1.4 millions jobs for people who provide goods and services for the industry.
U.S. chip companies command more than 50 percent of the global market.1999
1999
1999 became known as the "year of recovery" for the semiconductor industry. Sales shift the demand from PCs to communications products.
The Congress passed and the President signed a Y2K bill to limit frivolous lawsuits against American businesses and industries.
The 1st two Focus Centers become fully operational at UC Berkeley and Georgia Tech.
The U.S. and China agreed to the terms of China's accession to the WTO.
2000
In 2000, the technology roadmap becomes international and the 2000 International Roadmap for Semiconductors (ITRS) is released.
Worldwide semiconductor sales exceed $200 billion for the first time in semiconductor history.
The semiconductor industry becomes recognized by the US Bureau of Labor andranked 2nd in the nation for the lowest injury and illness rate out of 208 durable goods manufacturing industries.
Posted by Charles Jannuzi