Sakana AI tops Japan startup valuations with funding led by Mitsubishi UFJ and CIA-linked VC

Tokyo-based AI developer Sakana AI announced in November 2025 the completion of a JPY20 billion (approx. US$135 million) Series B funding round that doubled its valuation to around JPY400 billion (approx. US$2.635 billion), making it the highest-valued unlisted startup in Japan, surpassing previous leaders like Preferred Networks and SmartNews.

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Taiwan’s precision components drive humanoid robot development

Hon Hai (Foxconn) is set to unveil its humanoid robot, developed in collaboration with Taiwanese suppliers, at its Hon Hai Technology Day (HHTD) event scheduled for November 21–22, 2025. Although the global humanoid robot market has not yet reached mass production, Taiwanese manufacturers have advanced in manufacturing complete machines and key components, particularly in the second half of 2025. Industry observers expect these developments to substantially increase revenue contributions by 2026.

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Huawei assembles the architecture of a new Chinese semiconductor order

Huawei is accelerating acquisitions, factory builds, and investment across China’s semiconductor sector, advancing a multi-year effort to establish a self-reliant supply chain for high-performance chips, including its Ascend AI processors. The effort began after Washington restricted the company’s access to US technology in 2019 and has since grown into one of China’s largest semiconductor initiatives.

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DRAM shortages prompts shift to six-month contracts to secure supply

DRAM shortages are worsening as global AI investment expands. Price negotiations that were previously conducted on a monthly or quarterly basis are now increasingly being adjusted to long-term supply contracts of six months or more. DRAM supply in 2026 may also be difficult to secure, prompting discussions among suppliers about contracts extending into 2027.

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Edom says memory price hikes impact demand, but high-value-added products are less affected

IC distributor Edom Technology says that the notebook (NB) and networking markets are the two major development pillars for Taiwan, and that the networking market in particular holds strong opportunities during transitions to new standards. According to Edom, high-value-added products are less affected by memory price surges because customers willing to support higher prices will be prioritized. The market may need some time to return to a supply–demand balance.

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Gigabyte GO27Q24 is unveiled with a 240Hz QD-OLED QHD display

The Gigabyte GO27Q24 is built for players who value visual precision and competitive clarity over flash. It is built around a 27-inch QD-OLED with a QHD resolution and a 240Hz refresh rate. The 10-bit display panel employs Quantum Dot Color technology and covers 99% of the DCI-P3 color space. It also delivers 200 nits of typical brightness and 400 nits of peak brightness at 10% APL. Gigabyte…

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GlobalFoundries sharpens silicon-photonics play with AMF in the bag

GlobalFoundries (GF) announced it will acquire Singapore-based silicon-photonics foundry Advanced Micro Foundry (AMF), a move that represents a critical step in its push to advance photonics innovation and solidify its leadership in the field. The acquisition underscores GF’s growing confidence in photonics as a cornerstone of future semiconductor and AI infrastructure.

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