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Toshiba and SanDisk announced their flash-memory joint venture, FlashVision, on May 10, 2000. The plan paired Toshiba’s semiconductor process technology with SanDisk’s multilevel-cell technology, using fabrication space at Dominion Semiconductor in Manassas, Virginia. Each company was to receive half of FlashVision’s production and market its share independently. The historical relationship later developed into several NAND-production ventures in Japan. Current official announcements identify the continuing partners as Kioxia and SanDisk, with their Yokkaichi agreements extended through December 31, 2034.
What FlashVision was designed to do in 2000
The May 10, 2000 announcement described FlashVision as a new semiconductor company that would equip existing Dominion Semiconductor manufacturing space in Manassas. Toshiba and SanDisk announced a planned investment of $700 million to produce advanced NAND flash wafers.
The companies said the output would primarily support memory cards for digital cameras, digital music players and future generations of mobile phones. Their plan covered development of 512-megabit, 1-gigabit and 2-gigabit flash memories, as well as later generations. Those were announced targets, not proof that every projected product or production volume was ultimately achieved.
The technology each company contributed
The partnership was not simply a factory-sharing arrangement. Toshiba supplied semiconductor process technology, while SanDisk contributed its original multilevel-cell (MLC) technology. MLC stores multiple bits in each flash-memory cell, increasing the amount of data that can be produced per wafer compared with earlier single-level designs.
#1 Best Overall
- Compatible with Nintendo-Switch (NOT Nintendo-Switch 2)
- Expand your storage in a flash: ideal for Android smartphones and tablets, Chromebooks, and Windows laptops.
- Increase your TV show, movie, and Full HD video[4] recording collections dramatically with up to a massive 1.5TB[1].
- Transfer files fast with up to 150MB/s[2] read speeds and SanDisk MobileMate USB micro 3.0 microSD card reader[6].
- Load apps faster with A1-rated performance[3].
Company descriptions of the collaboration also covered NAND research and development, product development and intellectual property. Toshiba’s semiconductor business executive Yasuo Morimoto summarized the intended combination in 2000: “FlashVision will bring together Toshiba’s advanced semiconductor process technologies and SanDisk’s original multilevel cell technology.”
How the relationship expanded into Japanese NAND factories
By October 2008, Toshiba described two later ventures—Flash Partners and Flash Alliance—as operating Fab 3 and Fab 4 at Toshiba’s Yokkaichi Operations in Japan. Toshiba said equipment investment and capacity allocation were equal at that time.
Rank #2
- Compatible with Nintendo-Switch (NOT Nintendo-Switch 2)
- Save time with card offload speeds of up to 190MB/s powered by SanDisk QuickFlow Technology (Up to 190MB/s read speeds, engineered with proprietary technology to reach speeds beyond UHS-I 104MB/s, requires compatible devices capable of reaching such speeds. Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending upon host device interface, usage conditions and other factors. 1MB=1,000,000 bytes. SanDisk QuickFlow Technology is only available for 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 400GB, 512GB, and 1TB capacities. 1GB=1,000,000,000 bytes and 1TB=1,000,000,000,000 bytes. Actual user storage less.)
- Pair with the SanDisk Professional PRO-READER SD and microSD to achieve maximum speeds (sold separately)
- Up to 130MB/s write speeds for fast shooting (Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending upon host device interface, usage conditions and other factors. 1MB=1,000,000 bytes.)
- 4K and 5K UHD-ready with UHS Speed Class 3 (U3) and Video Speed Class 30 (V30) (Compatible device required. Full HD (1920x1080), 4K UHD (3840 x 2160), and 5K UHD (5120 X 2880) support may vary based upon host device, file attributes and other factors. See HD page on SanDisk site. UHS Speed Class 3 (U3) designates a performance option designed to support real-time video recording with UHS-enabled host devices. Video Speed Class 30 (V30), sustained video capture rate of 30MB/s, designates a performance option designed to support real-time video recording with UHS-enabled host devices. See the SD Association’s official website.)
The same 2008 announcement also described a non-binding plan to reallocate wafer output and equipment ownership. That qualification matters: the equal arrangement reported in 2008 should not be treated as a permanent ownership or capacity formula for every later agreement.
Toshiba also forecast more than 200% average annual bit growth in 2008. That was a Toshiba forecast made at the time, not a current NAND-market statistic or a verified result.
Rank #3
- Compatible with Nintendo-Switch (NOT Nintendo-Switch 2)
- Save time with card offload speeds of up to 190MB/s powered by SanDisk QuickFlow Technology (Up to 190MB/s read speeds, engineered with proprietary technology to reach speeds beyond UHS-I 104MB/s, requires compatible devices capable of reaching such speeds. Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending upon host device interface, usage conditions and other factors. 1MB=1,000,000 bytes. SanDisk QuickFlow Technology is only available for 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 400GB, 512GB, and 1TB capacities. 1GB=1,000,000,000 bytes and 1TB=1,000,000,000,000 bytes. Actual user storage less.)
- Pair with the SanDisk Professional PRO-READER SD and microSD to achieve maximum speeds (sold separately)
- Up to 90MB/s write speeds for fast shooting (Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending upon host device interface, usage conditions and other factors. 1MB=1,000,000 bytes.)
- 4K and 5K UHD-ready with UHS Speed Class 3 (U3) and Video Speed Class 30 (V30) (Compatible device required. Full HD (1920x1080), 4K UHD (3840 x 2160), and 5K UHD (5120 X 2880) support may vary based upon host device, file attributes and other factors. See HD page on SanDisk site. UHS Speed Class 3 (U3) designates a performance option designed to support real-time video recording with UHS-enabled host devices. Video Speed Class 30 (V30), sustained video capture rate of 30MB/s, designates a performance option designed to support real-time video recording with UHS-enabled host devices. See the SD Association’s official website.)
What changed during Toshiba’s 2017 memory-business sale
Toshiba said its memory business had been separated into Toshiba Memory Corporation on April 1, 2017. In a June 2 announcement, Toshiba said Toshiba Memory Corporation managed the actual operations at Yokkaichi and described objections by Western Digital to Toshiba’s third-party investment process. Western Digital was SanDisk’s parent at the time.
The dispute was characterized by the companies in their own releases and involved the sale process, litigation and arbitration. On December 13, 2017, Toshiba, Toshiba Memory Corporation and Western Digital announced a global settlement. They said the settlement would resolve the disputes and strengthen and extend their flash-memory relationship, including planned joint participation in investment rounds for Yokkaichi’s Fab 6.
Rank #4
- SanDisk 32GB Ultra microSDHC 120MB/s A1 Class 10 UHS-I
Why current announcements say Kioxia and SanDisk
The corporate names in today’s announcements are different from those in the original FlashVision announcement. Toshiba’s memory business became Toshiba Memory and was later renamed Kioxia. SanDisk remains the other named partner, while Western Digital’s historical role was as SanDisk’s parent during the 2017 dispute.
On January 29, 2026, Kioxia and SanDisk announced that they had extended their Yokkaichi joint-venture agreements. The previous expiry date of December 31, 2029 was extended to December 31, 2034. Under that announcement, SanDisk will pay Kioxia $1.165 billion for manufacturing services and continued supply, in installments from 2026 through 2029.
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The companies also announced current manufacturing activity beyond Yokkaichi. On July 3, 2026, they said their 10th-generation 3D flash-memory technology was being produced at Kitakami Plant Fab2. This is evidence of present-day Kioxia–SanDisk cooperation, not evidence that Toshiba and SanDisk still operate under the original FlashVision name.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Key dates and corporate transitions
| Date | Development | What it shows |
|---|---|---|
| May 10, 2000 | FlashVision announced for production at Dominion Semiconductor in Manassas, Virginia | Original Toshiba–SanDisk joint venture; equal production shares were planned |
| October 20, 2008 | Flash Partners and Flash Alliance described at Yokkaichi Fab 3 and Fab 4 | Expansion into Japanese NAND manufacturing; equal investment and capacity applied as described at that time |
| April 1, 2017 | Toshiba Memory Corporation separated from Toshiba’s operating structure | Memory operations were placed in a distinct company during the sale process |
| June 2, 2017 | Toshiba described Western Digital’s objections to the investment process | Public corporate dispute over the memory-business transaction |
| December 13, 2017 | Toshiba, Toshiba Memory Corporation and Western Digital announced a global settlement | Litigation and arbitration were settled and cooperation was to be extended |
| January 29, 2026 | Kioxia and SanDisk extended Yokkaichi agreements through December 31, 2034 | Current manufacturing partnership under the Kioxia and SanDisk names |
| July 3, 2026 | 10th-generation 3D flash production announced at Kitakami Plant Fab2 | Current-generation manufacturing cooperation in Japan |
| August 27, 2026 | More than $31 billion of anticipated Japanese investment through 2032 announced, subject to government support | Large future expansion plan, contingent rather than guaranteed |
How to understand the partnership’s evolution
- Time: The relationship began with FlashVision in 2000, expanded through Yokkaichi ventures by 2008, passed through a 2017 ownership dispute and settlement, and continues under Kioxia and SanDisk in 2026.
- Activity: The work progressed from complementary technology development to wafer production, factory investment, manufacturing services and continued supply.
- Corporate identity: “Toshiba and SanDisk” is the correct framing for the original venture. “Kioxia and SanDisk” is the naming used in current official announcements.
On August 27, 2026, Kioxia and SanDisk said they anticipated investing more than $31 billion in Japan through 2032, contingent upon government support. They also reported more than $50 billion invested in Japan over the preceding 25 years. Both figures are company-reported; the first is a future plan rather than completed spending.
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