A Taiwanese investigation into the possible theft of chip technology at Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. is putting a low-profile, lesser-known tech linchpin in Japan under unusual scrutiny. Most Read from BloombergAll Hail the Humble Speed HumpThree Deaths Reported as NYC Legionnaires’ Outbreak SpreadsMayor Asked to Explain $1.

Tokyo Electron Ltd yesterday said it has fired an employee at its Taiwan subsidiary over their alleged involvement in a trade secret leak at Taiwanese chipmaking giant Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC, 台積電).

Three Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. employees were taken into custody Tuesday after company officials detected "unauthorized activities" and a leak of its trade secrets related to "core technologies.