Japanese manufacturers begin to submit data to the STSP, and the organization is renamed the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) program.


1985 At the urging of the SIA, the US and Japanese governments completely eliminate tariffs on imported semiconductors. European manufactures refuse to join the US and Japan in this effort, maintaining high chip tariffs.


Japan enacts its own chip protection law in response to the passage of the US law protecting intellectual property for semiconductor designs.


SIA files Section 301 petition with U.S. Department of Commerce, citing unfair Japanese market barriers. SIA cooperates with member companies in filing DRAM and EPROM dumping cases against Japanese companies.


1986 Japan overtakes US as the world’s leading semiconductor producer and becomes the world’s largest semiconductor market.


With the SIA’s support, the US government signs a historic bilateral Semiconductor Trade Agreement with Japan to end dumping practices and open Japan’s market.


World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) splits from SIA and becomes global.


1987 Under the leadership of the SIA, the industry consortium SEMATECH is founded by 14 US semiconductor manufacturers.


Its mission is to sponsor and conduct research in semiconductor manufacturing


technology to provide the US industry with a domestic capability for world leadership in semiconductor r manufacturing.


At the urging of the SIA, the US imposes $300 million in trade sanctions against Japan for failure to comply with the terms of the 1986 anti-dumping and market-access agreement.


The first SIA Board of Directors meeting conducted outside the US is held in Tokyo, Japan to demonstrate US industry commitment to serving the Japan market.


1988 After meeting with the SIA,


the Electronic Industries Association of Japan (EIAJ) forms the Users


Committee of Foreign Semiconductors (UCOM) in an effort to provide greater access for foreign suppliers in the Japan market.


As dumping lessens, US EPROM manufacturers increase investment and regain worldwide market share leadership from the Japanese.


The US semiconductor industry reinforces its commitment to the Japan market by opening an SIA office in Tokyo, Japan.


Distributors of US products in Japan form the Distributors Association of Foreign Semiconductors (DAFS). With the SIA-Japan Chapter, UCOM and DAFS, all links in the sales chain are prepared at the industry level to increase foreign sales in Japan.


With the SIA’s encouragement, the US Congress approves formation of the National Advisory Committee on Semiconductors (NACS), made up of top level officials from government and industry, to report on proposals for a “national semiconductor strategy.”


1989 The SIA and EIAJ establish a consumer task force to discuss methods to increase foreign chip sales to Japanese consumer equipment makers. The consumer task force provides a model for subsequent


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