Sales of Audio-Visual and Communication Equipment in the nine months were 851.2 billion yen, down 25.4%, and operating income was 11.3 billion yen, down 69.1%, both compared to the same period last year.
For LCD TVs, the strategy of focusing on sales of models 60 inches and larger was successful, and firm growth was seen in the U.S. market. However, there was a reduction in total sales on both a monetary and a unit basis, compared with the same period in the previous year. This was due to a rapid decline in demand in Japan and a slowing market in China, along with a price decline. In mobile phones as well, sales fell below those in the same period in the previous year. This was due mainly to a decline in sales of conventional mobile phones and also to intensified competition in the Japanese market.

Sales of Health and Environmental Equipment were 220.4 billion yen, up 9.6%, and operating income was 23.6 billion yen, up 62.8% compared to the same period last year. Sales of LED lights and air purifiers remained strong, reflecting growing demand for energy-efficient and health-conscious home appliances.

Sales of Information Equipment were 202.3 billion yen, essentially flat compared to the same period last year, while operating income was 20.8 billion yen, up 45.7%, reflecting increased sales of high value-added products such as digital color MFPs.

As a result, sales of the these three product groups comprising Consumer/Information Products were 1,273.9 billion yen, down 17.5%, and operating income was 55.8 billion yen, down 14.9%, compared to the same period last year.

Sales of LCDs were 583.0 billion yen, down 25.5% compared to the same period last year, and an operating loss of 13.7 billion yen was recorded. The LCD business saw a suspension of operations in the large-size LCD plants in the first half of the first quarter. Furthermore, a worsening market environment for LCD TVs in Japan resulted in reduced levels of operation in the third quarter at the Kameyama No. 2 Plant, which produces panels for medium-size TVs. The global glut of LCD supply also resulted in reduced external sales of panels manufactured at the Sakai Plant. In addition, a 23.1 billion yen inventory write-down for some old products led to an operating loss in this product group.

Sales of Solar Cells were 159.4 billion yen, down 21.6% compared to the same period last year, and an operating loss of 14.7 billion yen was posted. The fall in prices continued, due partly to the deterioration of the global supply/demand environment, and to the intensified competition in the Japanese market.

Sales of Other Electronic Devices were 175.2 billion yen, down 14.8%, and operating income was 8.0 billion yen, down 17.0%, both compared to the same period in the previous year. Sales declined for devices used in digital products such as LCD TVs.

As a result, sales of these three product groups comprising Electronic Components were 917.7 billion yen, down 23.0% compared to the same period last year, and an operating loss of 20.4 billion yen was posted.