Panasonic Corp. said Thursday it will withdraw from all production of liquid crystal display panels by 2021 amid fierce competition from Chinese, South Korean and other foreign rivals.
Panasonic stopped manufacturing LCD panels for televisions in 2016. It has since focused on LCD panels for vehicles and industrial uses.
(Panasonic's LCD panel plant in Himeji)
"Panasonic determined that continuation of the business would be unviable, faced with a tougher environment in the global market, so the decision was made to stop production," Panasonic said in a statement.
It will conduct consultations with employees of Panasonic Liquid Crystal Display Co. in Himeji in Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, the Osaka-headquartered parent's sole LCD producer, to ensure jobs, aiming to transfer and relocate them within its group.
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