Tokyo Electron (TEL), Japan's leading semiconductor equipment maker, announced on August 7 2025 that it has fired an employee at its Taiwan subsidiary over alleged involvement in a case tied to the unauthorized acquisition of confidential information from TSMC.
In an official statement posted to its website, TEL confirmed that one former employee of Tokyo Electron Taiwan Ltd. is implicated in the investigation, which is currently being conducted by Taiwan's judicial authorities. The company said it is fully cooperating with the ongoing probe.
According to TEL, an internal review so far has found no indication that sensitive information was leaked externally.
"We are unwavering in our commitment to the highest standards of legal compliance and ethical conduct," TEL said in the statement. "We maintain a zero-tolerance policy toward any behaviors that violate these standards."
The company added that it is unable to provide further details at this time due to the confidential nature of the investigation.
Bloomberg and Nikkei reported earlier this week that Taiwan's Intellectual Property Court Prosecutors Office arrested several suspects in connection with the theft of TSMC's proprietary technologies. One of those arrested has been identified as a former TEL employee. TEL is among TSMC's most important suppliers of semiconductor production equipment.
Investigators have yet to release further information on the case.
Article edited by Jerry Chen
