Latest news with #HitachiLtd.
The Mainichi
20 hours ago
- General
- The Mainichi
Hitachi holds memorial for workers killed in WWII bombing to mark 80 yrs since war's end
HITACHI, Ibaraki -- Industrial giant Hitachi Ltd.'s factory here held a memorial service on June 10 for workers who lost their lives during air raids in the final stages of World War II. Marking the 80th anniversary of the end of the war this year, the firm invited surviving family members to a large-scale ceremony for the first time in about three decades. Hitachi President Toshiaki Tokunaga and other company executives also attended the memorial. On the morning of June 10, 1945, more than 100 U.S. B-29 bombers flew over Hitachi. Over 500 one-ton bombs were dropped on the company's coastal factory -- a major military production facility at the time -- killing 634 employees who were either caught up in the bombing or buried alive in collapsed air raid shelters. The attacks continued into July, when naval bombardments and incendiary bomb raids took many additional lives. Every year, the production site observes June 10 as "war damage day," holding a moment of silence throughout the plant starting at exactly 8:51 a.m., the time when the air raid began. The facility's executives also regularly pay their respects at the "martyrs' monument," erected on the site of an air raid shelter. This year, the firm additionally organized a major memorial event at a hotel in Hitachi, establishing a special altar for the victims. About 200 people, including families of the deceased and company personnel, offered prayers amid Buddhist chanting. In an address at the event, Tokunaga reflected, "I myself was born and raised in Hitachi, and since childhood have often encountered records and remnants of wartime destruction that happened in this city." He continued, "Even now, wars still relentlessly break out around the world. But we will continue to pause and remember the precious sacrifices of those we've lost, commit to sharing their stories with future generations, and renew our resolve to contribute toward the peaceful development of the world." Katsumi Yashiro, 89, vice chairman of the Hitachi City bereaved families association, lost his father Michio -- then head of the Ose electrical manufacturing section -- in the bombings. Yashiro said Michio was buried alive when an air raid shelter collapsed and was found dead several days later. "My father's steel helmet was found covered in dirt. I imagine he was desperately digging to try to escape and survive," he said. "Every year I've seen news reports showing current employees paying silent tribute to the fallen workers at the memorial ceremony, and each time I'm moved to tears. I would deeply appreciate it if the company continues passing down the memory to future generations." (Japanese original by Takahiro Tauchi, Hitachi Local Bureau)
Asahi Shimbun
15-05-2025
- Business
- Asahi Shimbun
Japan Display to cut domestic workforce by more than 1,000
Japan Display Inc. plans to lay off more than 1,000 employees in Japan as the once-ballyhooed manufacturer continues to suffer financial losses, sources said May 14. The job cuts could potentially halve the company's current domestic workforce of about 2,700. Workers at Japan Display's manufacturing bases will be affected by the consolidation, including those at its factory in Mobara, Chiba Prefecture, which is scheduled to close at the end of March 2026, the sources said. The company had about 17,000 total employees in Japan and overseas in 2015. However, Japan Display has long struggled, and it reduced its payroll by 1,200 employees in 2019. Among its six manufacturing bases across Japan, only the factory in Kawakita, Ishikawa Prefecture, will remain after the Mobara plant closes. PLUNGING STOCK PRICE Japan Display was established through the integration of the small and mid-sized LCD panel businesses of Hitachi Ltd., Toshiba Corp. and Sony Corp. in 2012. INCJ Ltd., a public-private investment fund under the industry ministry, temporarily held about 70 percent of Japan Display's shares, so the company was nicknamed 'Hinomaru LCD.' However, the company's LCD business faced stiff competition from Chinese and Taiwanese manufacturers. The shift from LCDs to organic electroluminescent displays for smartphones also exacerbated the financial difficulties of Japan Display, as did the depletion of its assets and revelations of accounting fraud. The company's stock price was 769 yen ($5.40) when its shares were listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange in 2014. But the closing price on May 14 this year was only 17 yen. Japan Display posted 10 consecutive annual net losses up to the fiscal year that ended in March 2024. The company is exploring ways to diversify its operations, including entering the touch-panel sensor and semiconductor packaging businesses. It is scheduled to soon announce its financial results for the fiscal year that ended in March. Scott Callon, chairman and CEO of the company, will hold a news conference on the same day.
