TOKYO — As chip giant Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. ramps up production at its first Japanese plant, nearby department stores are rushing to lure potentially big-spending executives connected to the project by boosting their stocks of fine wines, designer bags and other luxury items.
Tsuruya Department Store in the city of Kumamoto, on the nation’s southernmost main island of Kyushu, is one of the retailers hoping to tap demand related to the new TSMC plant in neighboring Kikuyo, which is expected to reach full-production later this year. The store has started a special section displaying fancy wines such as Chateau Latour and Chateau Lafite Rothschild costing up to 200,000 yen ($1,300) a bottle.
