Origins at Toshiba

Kioxia’s roots trace back to Toshiba Corporation, whose engineers developed the world’s first NAND flash memory in 1987.

This invention revolutionized digital storage because NAND flash:

• Stores data without power (non-volatile)

• Is faster than hard drives

• Uses less power

• Is highly durable

• Can store massive amounts of information

Today virtually every SSD, USB drive, smartphone storage chip, and memory card uses NAND flash technology derived from this invention. [2]

Becoming Toshiba Memory

In 2017, Toshiba separated its memory business into a new company called Toshiba Memory Corporation as part of a corporate restructuring. [3]

The Birth of Kioxia

On October 1, 2019, Toshiba Memory officially changed its name to Kioxia Corporation.

The name combines two words:

• Kioku (記憶) — Japanese for “memory”

• Axia — Greek for “value”

Together, Kioxia means “memory with value.” The rebranding reflected the company’s ambition to become an independent global leader in memory technology. [4]

Kioxia develops a broad range of storage products for consumers, enterprises, and industrial customers.

1. SSDs (Solid-State Drives)

Used in:

• Gaming PCs

• Laptops

• Enterprise servers

• Cloud data centers

• AI infrastructure

Examples include consumer NVMe SSDs and high-performance enterprise SSDs.

2. NAND Flash Memory

These chips serve as storage in:

• Smartphones

• Tablets

• Cameras

• Automotive systems

• Data centers

• IoT devices

• AI servers

3. Memory Cards

Consumer storage products include:

• microSD cards

• SD cards

• USB flash drives

4. Embedded Memory

Used by manufacturers in:

• Smartphones

• Automotive electronics

• Smart TVs

• Medical devices

• Industrial equipment

5. Enterprise Storage

Kioxia supplies high-capacity SSDs optimized for:

• Cloud computing

• Artificial intelligence

• Big data

• Enterprise databases

• Hyperscale data centers [5]

Kioxia is recognized for several major technological milestones.

Inventor of NAND Flash

Its predecessor at Toshiba invented NAND flash memory in 1987, a breakthrough that transformed digital storage. [6]

BiCS FLASH™

Kioxia’s BiCS FLASH™ is its proprietary 3D NAND technology, stacking memory cells vertically to achieve:

• Higher capacity

• Better performance

• Lower power consumption

• Greater durability [7]

Advanced Manufacturing

The company operates some of the world’s largest flash-memory fabrication facilities, including the Yokkaichi and Kitakami plants in Japan, using advanced automation and AI-assisted manufacturing. [8]

Major production facilities include:

• Yokkaichi Plant (Mie Prefecture) — one of the world’s largest flash-memory manufacturing complexes.

• Kitakami Plant (Iwate Prefecture) — a newer facility focused on advanced BiCS FLASH production and expansion for future demand. [9]

Kioxia supplies memory products to industries including:

• Consumer electronics

• Enterprise IT

• Cloud computing

• Artificial intelligence

• Automotive

• Mobile devices

• Industrial systems

• Networking

• Medical equipment

• Gaming

• Edge computing [10]

Kioxia is consistently recognized as one of the world’s leading producers of NAND flash memory. It competes with other major memory manufacturers such as:

• Samsung Electronics

• SK hynix

• Micron Technology

• SanDisk [11]

Kioxia invests heavily in research on:

• Next-generation NAND flash

• AI storage

• PCIe SSD technologies

• Data-center optimization

• Energy-efficient memory

• High-capacity enterprise storage

• Advanced semiconductor manufacturing [12]

The company’s mission is:

“By evolving memory, we create uplifting experiences and change the world.” [13]

Its branding emphasizes:

• Innovation

• Reliability

• Sustainability

• High performance

• Advanced memory technologies

Kioxia promotes:

• Reduced power consumption in manufacturing

• Efficient semiconductor production

• Environmental responsibility

• Responsible sourcing

• Long-term technological sustainability [14]

In recent years, Kioxia has expanded production of next-generation BiCS FLASH memory to address growing demand from AI, cloud computing, and hyperscale data centers. The company has also strengthened its manufacturing capabilities at its Kitakami facilities and continues to invest in advanced NAND technologies. [15]

Kioxia’s technology underpins many everyday digital experiences. Its memory products are found in:

• Smartphones

• Personal computers

• Gaming consoles

• Cameras

• Cloud servers

• AI infrastructure

• Automotive electronics

• Consumer storage devices

Because modern computing depends on fast, reliable, non-volatile storage, Kioxia plays a foundational role in the global semiconductor ecosystem.

• Founded: 2017 (as Toshiba Memory Corporation)

• Renamed: 2019 as Kioxia Corporation

• Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan

• Industry: Semiconductor and memory storage

• Known for: Inventing NAND flash memory (through its Toshiba heritage)

• Core products: NAND flash memory, SSDs, memory cards, USB flash drives, embedded storage

• Global focus: Consumer electronics, enterprise storage, cloud computing, AI, automotive, and industrial markets. [16]

1. About KIOXIA Corporation | KIOXIA – Japan (English)

2. Company Information | KIOXIA – Japan (English)

3. Company Information | KIOXIA Holdings Corporation

4. Kioxia Officially Begins Operations

5. Business｜About KIOXIA Iwate Corporation ｜KIOXIA Iwate Corporation

6. Kioxia ships next-gen memory samples as AI boom fuels dramatic comeback

7. Kioxia Officially Begins Operations – 뉴스와이어

8. KIOXIA at a Glance | KIOXIA Holdings Corporation

9. About KIOXIA Group | KIOXIA Holdings Corporation

10. キオクシア株式会社 会社情報 | KIOXIA – Japan (日本語)

11. About Us | KIOXIA – Asia Pacific (English)

12. Technology Development History | KIOXIA – Japan (English)

13. About KIOXIA Singapore Pte. Ltd. | KIOXIA – Asia Pacific (English)

14. 关于公司名称 | KIOXIA – China