Latest news with #SharpCorp
3 days ago
- Business
Sharp Develops New Sanitary Pad Dispenser
News from Japan Economy Technology Jul 9, 2025 22:07 (JST) Tokyo, July 9 (Jiji Press)--Sharp Corp. said Wednesday that it has developed a new device for distributing free sanitary napkins. The device, called "todokuto," automatically dispenses one sanitary pad at a time when users hover their hands near it. It will be sold to schools, companies and local governments from July 25, with the aim of helping women who cannot afford to buy such items. After one sanitary napkin is taken, there is an interval before another can be dispensed, which helps prevent people from taking excessive amounts. The device can be placed online to notify operators when supplies are low. The device was developed to address issues such as women feeling uncomfortable receiving pads at counters and people taking many pads at once from restrooms. "We have received many inquiries from companies considering the free distribution of sanitary products as a welfare benefit," a Sharp spokesperson said. [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] Jiji Press
Yomiuri Shimbun
5 days ago
- Business
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Japanese Solar Panel Makers Eye Business Opportunities after Ordinance Mandates Installation on New Houses
Japanese solar panel manufacturers are taking a proactive approach as they see business opportunities following the decision by the Tokyo metropolitan government and the Kawasaki city government to require that newly built houses have solar panels installed in April. Although Chinese manufacturers currently dominate solar panel production, Japanese manufacturers are looking to compete with new products and initiatives. These include new types of solar panels that are better suited to Japanese homes, where securing space for installation is difficult, as well as a system that reduces users' costs. New type of product In late May, Sharp Corp. released a new type of solar panels that can prevent light-related issues by reducing optical reflection. By adopting glass with pebble-grained surfaces, light is diffused and reflected at a level 1/20 to 1/30 that of conventional models. Solar panels are generally placed on the south side of roofs to maximize sunlight exposure. In urban areas, particularly in central parts of big cities, where land is limited, panels are often placed on the north side of roofs. However, since sunlight is reflected at low angles on the north side of roofs, there is a tendency for light to enter nearby houses. Reducing cost burdens In June, Panasonic Corp. introduced a system that enables companies to install solar panels without paying any upfront costs through Osaka Gas Co.'s Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) program. Under the program, Osaka Gas owns the solar power generation systems for 15 years from installation and recovers the initial costs by selling the power generated by the systems. During this period, homeowners can purchase electricity from Osaka Gas at discounted rates. Starting in the 16th year, homeowners gain ownership of the solar power generation systems free of charge and can use or sell the electricity produced. According to the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry, the average cost of installing solar power generation systems for newly built houses in 2021 was ¥271,000 per kilowatt. This figure rose to ¥286,000 in 2024. The head of Panasonic's sales promotion division said: 'While both installing costs and electricity bills are on the rise, we aim to reduce users' financial burden with the new system.' The government has set a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 46% by fiscal 2030, compared to fiscal 2013 levels. In order to achieve this goal, the government plans to increase the percentage of newly built homes with solar panels from 36.5% in fiscal 2023 to 60% in fiscal 2030. Progress has been made thus far in terms of the rate of solar panel installations. The number of solar panel systems in homes has nearly doubled, growing from about 1.69 million in fiscal 2013 to about 3.35 million in fiscal 2023. Chinese makers gain strength However, Japanese manufacturers, which were once dominant in solar panel production, are now being pushed aside by Chinese manufacturers who are gaining strength by selling low-priced products. According to the Japan Photovoltaic Energy Association, about 97% of solar panels purchased in fiscal 2004 in the nation were made by Japanese makers. But in fiscal 2024, about 94.9% of purchased panels were made by foreign manufacturers. Prof. Yuzuru Ueda of Tokyo University of Science, an expert of engineering studies, said: 'It's difficult to differentiate solar panels made by Chinese manufacturers in the current technological landscape. Japanese manufacturers should leverage their strengths in design and reliability to suit Japan's housing conditions and respond to the needs of clients very thoroughly.'
Wall Street Journal
14-05-2025
- Business
- Wall Street Journal
Foxconn Posts Strong Profit but Lowers Guidance Amid Tariff Risks
Foxconn 2317 3.16%increase; green up pointing triangle Technology Group reported strong first-quarter results but cut its annual guidance as the world's largest contract electronics manufacturer braces for potential headwinds from newly imposed U.S. tariffs. The Taiwanese company, formally known as Hon Hai Precision Industry, said Wednesday that its net profit jumped 91% from a year earlier to 42.11 billion New Taiwan dollars, equivalent to US$1.38 billion. That beat the NT$37.15 billion consensus estimate compiled by FactSet. Its revenue rose 24% to NT$1.644 trillion. The results were likely buoyed by Foxconn clients' speeding up of shipments to the U.S. to build inventory buffers ahead of President Trump's sweeping tariffs on global trading partners. Foxconn's earnings surge was also partly due to a low base in the same period last year, when it booked a NT$17.3 billion write-down tied to its 34% stake in Japanese electronics company Sharp Corp. 6753 -2.76%decrease; red down pointing triangle Foxconn, best known for assembling Apple's iPhones, now plays an increasingly important role in building AI servers for U.S. tech giants such as Amazon and Nvidia. Cloud and networking products—including AI servers—accounted for 34% of first-quarter revenue, making them Foxconn's second-largest business segment after smart consumer electronics. Trump imposed a steep 32% levy on Taiwanese goods on April 2. Although he later announced a 90-day pause on the tariffs, Taiwan's tech manufacturers remain cautious about his next steps. Foxconn lowered its 2025 revenue guidance to stronger than last year from significantly stronger than last year. Its shares have fallen about 10% so far this year after notching a more than 70% gain in 2024. Fears about tariffs and possible overspending on AI infrastructure have weighed on the stock. Write to Sherry Qin at
Kyodo News
13-05-2025
- Business
- Kyodo News
Sharp to sell symbolic LCD plant to parent company Foxconn
KYODO NEWS - 10 hours ago - 23:59 | All, Japan Japanese electronics firm Sharp Corp. said Monday it will sell a liquid crystal display panel plant in central Japan, once viewed as a symbol of the company's strong position in the TV market, to its Taiwanese parent company, Foxconn. The company will sell the second plant at its LCD production site in Kameyama, Mie Prefecture, where it currently makes LCD screens for smartphones and personal computers. The facility, along with the first plant at the site, once produced LCD TVs known as the "Kameyama Model," which helped boost Sharp's presence in the large-screen TV market. Sharp said that once the sale to its parent company, formally known as Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., is completed by August 2026, it will buy panels produced at the factory for use in its products. The first plant at the Kameyama site will focus on making LCD panels for automobiles. The electronics maker has scaled down output at the plants through 2024 amid intensified competition from overseas LCD panel manufacturers. Related coverage: Japan's Rapidus gears up for test production of next-generation chips Struggling Nissan plans to slash 20,000 jobs globally Japan's Jera pledges stable power supply by using LNG-fired plant
12-05-2025
- Business
Japan's Sharp to Sell Kameyama LCD Plant to Hon Hai
News from Japan Economy May 12, 2025 23:10 (JST) Osaka, May 12 (Jiji Press)--Japan's Sharp Corp. said Monday that it will sell its small and midsize liquid crystal display panel plant in Kameyama, Mie Prefecture, central Japan, to its Taiwanese parent, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. The Kameyama No. 2 plant will be transferred to Hon Hai by August 2026. Sharp aims to focus its business resources on competitive fields by downsizing the LCD panel business, which has been operating in the red. Even after the transfer, sales of products from the plant ordered by current clients will continue, Sharp President Masahiro Okitsu told an online press conference. Sharp will continue producing highly profitable automotive LCD panels at its Kameyama No. 1 plant. [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] Jiji Press
