01:22 PM EDT, 04/04/2025 (MT Newswires) -- (Updates with additional details from the second paragraph.)

Japanese chipmaker Rapidus is in discussions with Apple ( AAPL ) , Alphabet's (GOOG, GOOGL) Google ( GOOG ) and other potential customers in an effort to boost production of advanced semiconductors by 2027, Nikkei Asia reported Friday, citing Rapidus Chief Executive Officer Atsuyoshi Koike.

Koike said his company is in talks with GAFAM, referring to Google ( GOOG ), Apple ( AAPL ), Meta's (META) Facebook, Amazon.com ( AMZN ) and Microsoft ( MSFT ) , along with other AI-focused startups, according to the report. He estimates up to 50 potential clients, Nikkei said.

The company began partial operation Tuesday of a prototype chip line in Hokkaido. Koike said in a previous interview he expects to provide data on the chips to customers by mid-July, according to the report.

IBM ( IBM ) provided the 2-nanometer chip fabrication technology to Rapidus, the report said.

Rapidus, Google ( GOOG ), Apple ( AAPL ), Facebook, Amazon ( AMZN ), IBM ( IBM ) and Microsoft ( MSFT ) did not immediately respond to requests for comment from MT Newswires.

(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

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