A former high-level Samsung Electronics executive was indicted on Monday for industrial espionage as it is alleged that he stole trade secrets in the form of blueprints and designs for an advanced Samsung chipmaking factory in order to create an identical one in China. South Korean prosecutors say the executive’s actions jeopardized national economic security, according to a report by the Reuters News Agency.
Asian Connection
Japan-Based OLED Manufacturer JOLED Files for Bankruptcy
JOLED, a Japanese manufacturer of OLED-based panels and products that was formed by the merger of the OLED divisions of both Panasonic and Sony, filed for bankruptcy protection in the Tokyo District Court on Monday. According to the filing, the company reported that it has debts totaling ¥33.7 billion ($257 million).
Learn more about the bankruptcy of JOLED…
[Read more…] about Japan-Based OLED Manufacturer JOLED Files for BankruptcyVinyl Record Resurgence: Unique to U.S….Or a Global Phenomenon?
By now, data clearly shows that vinyl record sales here in the U.S. have been growing steadily for more than a decade. When initially detected, many thought it was simply a fad… They thought that at first CDs…and then digital downloads…and finally digital streaming would supplant vinyl. Now we know that is just not the case and that vinyl is continuing to grow in importance again to the music industry.
Think this is just a U.S. phenomenon? Think again! A report by the Nikkei in Japan notes the dramatic growth of vinyl sales there, as well.
See more on the growing global influence of vinyl record sales…
[Read more…] about Vinyl Record Resurgence: Unique to U.S….Or a Global Phenomenon?Supply Chain Recovery Threatened by New COVID Lockdowns in China
Like being forced to watch a rerun of a movie you never liked in the first place, China is back to closing major cities around the country as a new round of COVID infections has emerged. China continues to maintain a “zero-COVID” policy of government-ordered aggressive measures designed to stamp out any new outbursts of coronavirus infections. But the impact of this policy is disastrous to the local and global economies – threatening to snuff out the recent signs of a recovery in the supply chain.
See how China’s shutdowns leave the supply chain recovery threatened
[Read more…] about Supply Chain Recovery Threatened by New COVID Lockdowns in ChinaGettin’ Tough Out There – Sony Cuts Net Profit Outlook for Current Fiscal Year
Late last week, Sony Group announced that they were cutting their net profit forecast for the current fiscal year, fiscal 2022 which ends March 2023. Why are they trimming their profit expectations? It appears that Sony is experiencing its version of a post-COVID Peloton/Netflix sales decline as video game sales are weakening and its costs related to a recent acquisition are rising.
See more on the declining profit forecast at Sony
[Read more…] about Gettin’ Tough Out There – Sony Cuts Net Profit Outlook for Current Fiscal YearYamaha Corp Warns of Continuing Chip Shortage
Shizuoka, Japan-based Yamaha Corporation – the world’s largest musical instrument maker that also offers pro, commercial, and residential audio gear is warning markets that the global chip shortage – while improving marginally lately – is still creating challenges that constrict manufacturers’ ability to achieve production goals. It is the first such warning I’ve seen from a company well known for acoustic pianos – but whose electronic instruments and audio gear generate more revenue.
See more of what the Yamaha President had to say about chips
[Read more…] about Yamaha Corp Warns of Continuing Chip ShortageMassive Population Shifts Coming; India to Overtake China in 2023
This month, the United Nations released its report on the latest global population trends and it delivered quite a few surprises…and even a bit of a shock. The data shows that major population shifts are coming…and coming soon. First, in a bit of a surprise, we learn that by November 15 of this year, the world population will total 8 billion people. The U.N. says that, in the world we hope to build, that population number will represent “8 billion opportunities to lead dignified and fulfilled lives.” But it also represents 8 billion reasons to remember “our shared responsibility to care for our planet.”
And, in a bit of a shock, we learn that by next year, China will be replaced as the most populous nation in the world by India, whose rate of population growth supersedes China’s. Surprised?
Learn more on the population shifts around the globe
[Read more…] about Massive Population Shifts Coming; India to Overtake China in 2023Chip Makers Threaten to Scale Back U.S. Plans Citing Inaction by Congress
Major American and Asian chip makers warned this week that they may scale back their planned investments in building U.S. semiconductor production if Congress doesn’t finally move forward and pass the CHIPS Act. The CHIPS Act is legislation the administration seeks to build up a more robust U.S.-based semiconductor supply chain.
Learn more on chip makers pulling back on U.S. fab projects
[Read more…] about Chip Makers Threaten to Scale Back U.S. Plans Citing Inaction by CongressWith Demand Slack & Inventory Levels Building, Samsung Cuts Procurement
Is an Industrywide Slowdown in Tech Beginning?
Samsung Electronics is taking action to hold back on procurement orders and asking suppliers for concessions, such as delayed deliveries, order reductions, and more in the wake of a concerning buildup of inventory. While the action is said to be temporary, concerns over a slowing global economy make it difficult to determine how long the company will deem these actions are necessary.
See more on Samsung’s actions to cut inventory buildup
[Read more…] about With Demand Slack & Inventory Levels Building, Samsung Cuts ProcurementFormer Sony Chairman Nobuyuki Idei Dies at 84
Nobuyuki Idei, former chairman and group CEO of Sony Group, has died at the age of 84. The cause of death was attributed to liver failure. His passing was announced by the company on Tuesday. Idei leaves a bit of a mixed legacy, contributing greatly during the company’s formative years but leaving during a challenging time. He is a significant part of the history of the technology industry.