Taiwanese electronics giant Yageo has pledged to enforce stringent measures to prevent technology leaks if it secures control of Japan’s Shibaura Electronics, addressing rising national security concerns in Tokyo. The commitment was made by Yageo Chairman Pierre Chen during a press briefing in Taipei, ahead of a scheduled mid-June meeting in Tokyo with Shibaura representatives to discuss potential collaboration.
Yageo, the world’s top chip resistor manufacturer, initiated an unsolicited tender offer in February for Shibaura — a key player in thermistor technology — at ¥4,300 per share, valuing the firm at over ¥65 billion ($450 million). Since then, a bidding war has ensued with Japanese firm Minebea Mitsumi, who stepped in as a white knight. Yageo’s latest offer stands at ¥6,200 per share, just above Shibaura’s Friday close at ¥6,100.
Chen emphasized Yageo’s strategic intent to bolster R&D, scale operations, and preserve Shibaura’s domestic presence, stating, “We will inject resources and strengthen R&D for advanced technologies… and expand their facilities in Japan.”
On national security, Chen reassured, “We will implement strict controls to ensure technology does not leak.” Discussions with Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry have reportedly progressed smoothly, amid new M&A guidelines designed to reduce resistance to foreign takeovers.
Acquiring Shibaura would fill a critical gap in Yageo’s thermistor offerings, strengthening its portfolio for global clients like Apple, Nvidia, and Tesla. Yageo, which also ranks third globally in multilayer ceramic capacitors, aims to consolidate supply chains by offering complete component solutions.
Swifteradio.com
