Moody’s Japan announced this week that it has raised its rating on Sony’s credit to Baa3, one step up from “junk.” This is the first time that Sony’s credit has been determined to be “investment grade” in years and reflects the company’s improved financial performance.
Asian Connection
Power Move: Sharp to Terminate LCD Panel Supply to Samsung
‘Samsung Scrambling to Find New Sources’ – Looks to LG
The media in Japan positively exploded this week with the shocking news that Sharp has notified Samsung it will no longer supply the world’s top seller of LCD TVs with the panels they need for their sets. Samsung was Sharp’s largest customer, but in a shocking power move, after negotiations broke down – Sharp said no deal.
Could this be a sign of a new Sharp, now that it’s part of Foxconn? [Read more…] about Power Move: Sharp to Terminate LCD Panel Supply to Samsung
After Years of Cutbacks, Sony Says It’s Time to Drive Sales
Sony Marketing Discusses Growth Plans with Japanese Media
Sony told the Nikkei this week that – to paraphrase – after years of painful dieting, the company has reached its fighting weight and is ready to go to battle to grow its sales worldwide. The company has spent the last few years spinning off divisions, cutting back on employment levels, and reducing overhead – all for the express purpose of improving profits. That goal achieved, the company will now focus on sales.
But the plan that Sony’s chief marketer outlined has some concerned… [Read more…] about After Years of Cutbacks, Sony Says It’s Time to Drive Sales
A Tale of Two Japans – Toshiba & Japan Display
Two stories out of Japan caught our attention and, to our thinking, combine to show that Japan’s tech industry is still not yet out of the woods. The first story, by the Japan Times, says that troubled Toshiba’s half-year fiscal results show that their profits have now tripled. The second story, also from the Japan Times, announced that Japan Display will be laying off thousands of employees – almost a third of their workforce.
See more on these two dramatically different stories of a still-troubled Japan… [Read more…] about A Tale of Two Japans – Toshiba & Japan Display
OLED Universe is Expanding, Chinese Makers Plan Multiple Factories
In news coming out of Asia, multiple Chinese panel makers are planning to build large production factories making OLED panels – mostly for the smartphone market. Motivated in part, by Apple’s commitment to the technology, companies like BOE Technologies – China’s largest panel manufacturer – has announced plans to launch an OLED factory capable of producing 10 million smartphone panels per month.
But BOE is not alone, others are hopping on the OLED bus… [Read more…] about OLED Universe is Expanding, Chinese Makers Plan Multiple Factories
Samsung Will Destroy All 4.3 Million Galaxy Note 7s
Company Makes Painful But Pragmatic Decision
Samsung Electronics is in the process of recalling their recently launched Galaxy Note 7 smartphone that came with the unusual feature of self-immolation included at no additional charge. The company’s initial production run was 2.5 million units. Then, trouble ensued and the company ceased production of that version. This was followed by the production of another 1.8 million “fixed” versions. Now…they are all recalled and the model has been cancelled.
What is Samsung going to do with 4.3 million defective smartphones? Destroy them… [Read more…] about Samsung Will Destroy All 4.3 Million Galaxy Note 7s
Panasonic Going Global With…Wait for It…OLED TV
Is Panasonic Back in the Consumer TV Business?
Panasonic Corp., in a sharp departure from its previous TV strategy, launched an OLED TV in Europe last fall, using panels procured from LG. At the IFA 2016 show in Berlin that just wrapped up this week, Panasonic announced that they would start making their OLED TVs available in other markets, starting next year.
This is a big announcement.
See more on this new player in the OLED game… [Read more…] about Panasonic Going Global With…Wait for It…OLED TV
Sharp in Negotiations to Buy Back Building Sold Only Months Ago
New Owner’s Moves Continue to Confound the Japanese Media
News comes out of Japan that the new owners of Sharp are in the process of buying back a building the old management sold off when seeking to improve profitability by reducing overhead. Now, new management – made up of former Foxconn executives – are doing an about-face and looking to repurchase the building, in a move that has Japanese media scratching their heads.
See more on this new course reversal from Sharp’s new managers… [Read more…] about Sharp in Negotiations to Buy Back Building Sold Only Months Ago
Promoters of 8K Broadcasting in Japan Admit They’re Getting Pushback
A consortium of companies in Japan, including large public broadcaster NHK, this month began testing a broadcast system of 8K TV signals via broadcast satellite (BS) channels. This test of an 8K broadcast system has been in the works for a couple of years now, as the country races to prepare for Ultra High Definition broadcasting of the upcoming Tokyo Olympics in 2020.
But promoters of the system admit they are getting significant pushback. Why? Read on to see what the detractors are saying.
See who is pushing back and what they say are significant and unaddressed concerns…. [Read more…] about Promoters of 8K Broadcasting in Japan Admit They’re Getting Pushback
Changing Its Mind, Sharp to Negotiate to Buy Back the N. American TV Biz
Sharp Corp., a division of Taiwan’s Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. – better known as Foxconn – is rethinking its previously determined plans for business success. As the company was struggling with financial hardships prior to the closing of their acquisition by Foxconn, Sharp made several cost cutting moves, including selling the North American and Europe rights to the Sharp TV brand to certain OEM manufacturers. Now, as they ponder how to drive revenue growth, there are reports they are changing their minds on these and other deals.