Industry Innovation Agency's bid for Toshiba Memory Co., Ltd.

[Global Technology Reporter Wang Huan] According to a report by the Japanese Kyodo News Agency on May 25th, the sale of Toshiba Memory, a semiconductor subsidiary of Toshiba Corp., which is in the process of reorganization, is in a critical position. At a briefing session for major trading banks held in Tokyo on the 25th, Toshiba stated that the Japan-US consortium consisting of the priority industrial innovation agency and the Japan Policy Investment Bank, and at the same time expressed that it is “difficult” to sell to the joint investment company in Yokkaichi City, Mie Prefecture. Western Digital (WD). In the future, the innovation agency will join forces with which camp overseas.

However, WD CEO Steve Milligan held talks with Toshiba President Gang Chuen-chi on the 24th and reached agreement on continuing negotiations. At the same time, the WD has also been in contact with reform agencies, etc., and it seems to be aimed at reversing the situation.

Toshiba Memory is engaged in the "flash memory" storage media for smartphones, and its market share ranks second in the world. In order to complete the sale before the end of March next year in order to maintain the listing status, it needs to be confirmed before the end of June, and the remaining time is limited.

In the tendering process, the US investment fund KKR, the American Bain Capital, a joint venture with Korean semiconductor giant SK Hynix, the US semiconductor giant Broadcom, and Sharp Parent Company Taiwan Hon Hai Precision Industry four camps, proposed more than 2 trillion yen. (approximately RMB 312 billion) purchase amount. WD strives not to acquire Toshiba memory through bidding.

The concept of a joint venture agency with KKR emerged within the Japanese government. However, innovation agencies are also throwing olive branches into other camps, and there is also the possibility of reunification of the consortium.