Mitsubishi Chemical Group, Japan's largest chemical company, expressed interest in acquiring semiconductor materials leader JSR, while Daikin's two major initiatives supporting the air-conditioning leader's global strategy were introduced, and Twinbird's president provided details on the background to the company's opposition to Japanet's acquisition proposal.
Mitsubishi Chemical Group has nearly completed its structural reforms and plans to shift to a more aggressive management strategy. This feature includes an interview with President Tsukimoto Manabu (筑本 学), covering the company's interest in acquiring JSR, the outlook for the restructuring of the petrochemical industry, and the parent-subsidiary reversal issue involving its relationship with industrial-gas subsidiary Nippon Sanso Holdings.
Daikin, a leading global air-conditioning company, has maintained its position as the world leader. The company has disclosed two major initiatives underpinning its global strategy, and the structural challenges it faces are also examined.
Small-appliance maker Twinbird announced its opposition to the tender offer proposal from Japanet Holdings, bringing the two companies' discussions over management control to an end. President Nomizu Shigeaki (野水 重明) emphasized his view that the current management structure should be maintained in order to achieve the targets of the new medium-term management plan.