Japanese technology companies may no longer manufacture the lion’s share of the mass-market semiconductors that go into every conceivable electronic device used around the world, but they are increasingly consolidating their control of the development and production of the advanced materials required for cutting-edge chips. At least five Japanese firms have significantly stepped up output at existing plants or invested heavily in new facilities to keep pace with demand for components and chemicals that only they can deliver. Around 60 per cent of the materials and components are exported, primarily to Taiwan and other key manufacturing hubs, with the rest…