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Japan's corporate sector saw significant strategic shifts this month, with major developments in the automotive and semiconductor industries. Honda is preparing to report its first annual net loss since the 1950s, with the projected loss reaching up to 690 billion yen. This financial result stems from substantial charges related to a reassessment of its electric vehicle strategy, which includes halting development on certain EV projects. In a separate but notable move within the industrial supply chain, the automotive supplier Denso has made an offer to acquire the semiconductor manufacturer Rohm in a deal valued up to $8 billion. This bid is part of a wider trend of consolidation in the power semiconductor sector, which also includes reports of potential business integration between Rohm and Toshiba. These corporate actions align with the Japanese government's stated national objective of substantially increasing domestic semiconductor sales by the year 2040.
In international economic relations, Japan engaged directly with the United States on trade policy. A Japanese minister, during a visit to the US, formally requested that Japan be excluded from new tariff measures proposed by the American administration. The specific appeal was for Japan not to be treated unfavorably under these impending tariff hikes.
8 topics | 254 sources
Honda announced it expects to post its first annual net loss since it became a publicly traded company in the 1950s. The automaker warned of a massive financial charge, reported as up to 690 billion yen or about $15.7 billion, related to reassessing its electric vehicle plans. This charge stems from Honda's decision to scrap some of its EV models and rethink its overall EV strategy. The company also stated it will pay suppliers as much as $10 billion related to the canceled vehicle programs. Honda's share price fell more than 6% following the announcement.
Denso, a major supplier to Toyota, has made a bid to acquire the Japanese semiconductor manufacturer Rohm for up to $8 billion. The move is part of a broader consolidation in the power semiconductor sector, with Rohm and Toshiba also reportedly considering integrating their businesses. This activity aligns with Japan's national goal to significantly increase domestic semiconductor sales by 2040.
12 topics | 258 sources
Mar 13
Nissan and Uber plan to test self-driving taxis in TokyoNissan, the Japanese automaker, is partnering with Uber and a UK startup called Wayve to test a robotaxi service in Tokyo. They plan to begin trial runs in the city later this year, with a full service launch targeted for late 2026. Separately, Japan's government has asked the United States not to include it in new, higher tariffs. This request was made by a visiting Japanese minister to the U.S. administration. The request comes as a U.S. trade court ruled that previous tariffs imposed under the Trump administration were illegal and ordered a system to refund over $200 billion in collected duties within 45 days.
Mar 13 — Mar 24
PayPay payment app goes public on U.S. stock market with SoftBank backingThe Japanese payment app PayPay, backed by SoftBank, has raised nearly $880 million through its initial public offering on the Nasdaq exchange in the United States. The company was valued at approximately $12.7 billion as its shares began trading, though the final IPO price was set below the initially expected range. The move is seen as a strategic step for the firm to seek growth and higher valuation in the U.S. market.
Mar 11 — Mar 25
Toyota raises buyout offer for its supplier after pressure from activist investorToyota has agreed to a higher buyout offer for its subsidiary Toyota Industries, ending a standoff with the activist investment fund Elliott. The revised deal values the unit at nearly $40 billion. The outcome is seen as a significant victory for Elliott, which had been pushing for changes.
Mar 23 — Mar 24