KAZUHIRO NOGI via Getty Images
ソニーは7月28日、2017年3月末をめどに電池事業を村田製作所へ売却すると、同社の公式サイトで発表した。
売却対象となる電池事業の範囲については「今後の精査が必要な状況」としているが、ソニーグループの販売拠点や研究開発拠点のうち、電池事業に関わる資産や人員を想定している。ただし、ソニーブランドで展開しているUSBポータブル電源やアルカリ乾電池など、一般消費者向け販売事業については「対象としない予定」だという。売却額など取引条件は、資産査定などを進めた後に決定する。
ソニーは1975年に電池事業を開始し、1991年には世界で初めてリチウムイオン電池を商品化。以来、電池事業は電子部品ビジネスの中核的存在となった。日経新聞によると、ソニーの電池事業の資産規模は約400億円に上る。
その一方で、韓国などアジア勢との価格競争に巻き込まれ、2010年度以降は赤字体質となり、厳しい業績状況が続いている。
村田製作所は1950年設立の大手電子部品メーカー。ソニーからゆずりうける電池事業を、「エネルギー分野の中核事業にすえ、成長拡大させる狙い」だという。
関連記事
村田製作所・ロボット画像集
ムラタセイサク君(01 of33)
Japan\'s electronics device maker Murata Manufacturing displays the company\'s bicycle-robot \'Murata Seisaku Kun\' (Mr. Murata Manufacturing), which runs and climbs on a narrow path of a width of 2cm, at Asia\'s largest electronics trade show in Chiba 02 October 2007. The 50-centimetre-tall and 5-kilogram-weight robot can move at a maximam speed of 2 kph and can keep balance while stopping or reversing. AFP PHOTO / Yoshikazu TSUNO (Photo credit should read YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:YOSHIKAZU TSUNO via Getty Images)
ムラタセイサク君(02 of33)
Japanese electronics parts maker Murata Manufacturing\'s bicycle robot \'Murata Seisaku-kun\' (Mr. Murata manufacturing) drives on a narrow winding slope during a display at Asia\'s largest electronics trade show CEATEC (Cutting-Edge IT & Electronics Comprehensive Exhibition) in Chiba City, suburban Tokyo on October 4, 2011. Some 600 firms unveiled their innovations at the high-tech exhibition, which is expected to draw 200,000 visitors during its five-day run. AFP PHOTO / Yoshikazu TSUNO (Photo credit should read YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:YOSHIKAZU TSUNO via Getty Images)
ムラタセイコちゃん(03 of33)
Japanese electronics parts maker Murata Electronics unveils a unicycle robot called the \'Murata-seiko-chan\', which has various sensors to keep its balance, during a demonstration at Asa\'s largest electronics trade show CEATEC in Chiba, suburban Tokyo on September 30, 2008. The annual CEATEC trade show of consumer electronics opened on September 30 for a five-day run. AFP PHOTO / Yoshikazu TSUNO (Photo credit should read YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:YOSHIKAZU TSUNO via Getty Images)
ムラタセイコちゃん(04 of33)
JAPAN - OCTOBER 01: Murata Manufacturing Co.\'s unicycle-riding robot Murata Seiko-chan shows it\'s cycling skills at the Combined Exhibition of Advanced Technologies (CEATEC) JAPAN 2008 in Chiba City, Japan, on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2008. The CEATECH JAPAN 2008 is held through Oct. 4. (Photo by Robert Gilhooly/Bloomberg via Getty Images) (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
ムラタセイコちゃん(05 of33)
Japanese electronics parts maker Murata Electronics unveils its new unicycle robot called the \'Murata-seiko-chan\' during a demonstration at Nagaokakyo city in Kyoto prefecture, western Japan on September 26, 2009. The robot, 50cm in tall and weighing 6kg, has various sensors which it uses to keep its balance as it wheels forward and turns corners. AFP PHOTO/JIJI PRESS (Photo credit should read JIJI PRESS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JIJI PRESS via Getty Images)
ムラタセイコちゃん(06 of33)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JANUARY 07: The Murata Girl robot is demonstrated at the Murata booth at the 2014 International CES at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 7, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world\'s largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs through January 10 and is expected to feature 3,200 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 150,000 attendees. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (credit:Justin Sullivan via Getty Images)
「ムラタセイコちゃん」と「ムラタセイサク君」(07 of33)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JANUARY 07: The Murata Girl and Boy robots are demonstrated at the Murata booth at the 2014 International CES at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 7, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world\'s largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs through January 10 and is expected to feature 3,200 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 150,000 attendees. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (credit:Justin Sullivan via Getty Images)
「ムラタセイコちゃん」と「ムラタセイサク君」(08 of33)
Japanese electronics parts maker Murata Electronics unveils a unicycle robot called the \'Murata-seiko-chan\' (L), which has various sensors to keep its balance, during a demonstration at Asa\'s largest electronics trade show CEATEC in Chiba, suburban Tokyo on September 30, 2008, while a similar bicycle robot \'Murata-seisaku-kun\' (R) stands still. The annual CEATEC trade show of consumer electronics opened on September 30 for a five-day run. AFP PHOTO / Yoshikazu TSUNO (Photo credit should read YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:YOSHIKAZU TSUNO via Getty Images)
勢揃いした村田製作所のロボット(09 of33)
A member of the media, left, takes a photograph of Murata Manufacturing Co.\'s Murata Cheerleaders robots during their unveiling at a news conference in Tokyo, Japan, on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2014. Murata manufactures and sells applied electronic components and is a supplier to Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. Photographer: Kiyoshi Ota/Bloomberg via Getty Images\n (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
村田製作所チアリーディング部(10 of33)
Japan\'s electronic parts maker Murata Manufacturing unveils 10 small robots for cheerleading, known as the \'Murata Cheerleaders,\' as they perform at a press preview in Tokyo on September 25, 2014. Murata Cheerleaders, equipped with various sensors such as gyro sensors, ultrasonic and infrared sensors, can make formations with wireless network sensing technology. AFP PHOTO / YOSHIKAZU TSUNO (Photo credit should read YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:YOSHIKAZU TSUNO via Getty Images)
村田製作所チアリーディング部(11 of33)
Japan\'s electronic parts maker Murata Manufacturing unveils 10 small robots for cheerleading, known as the \'Murata Cheerleaders,\' as they perform at a press preview in Tokyo on September 25, 2014. Murata Cheerleaders, equipped with various sensors such as gyro sensors, ultrasonic and infrared sensors, can make formations with wireless network sensing technology. AFP PHOTO / YOSHIKAZU TSUNO (Photo credit should read YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:YOSHIKAZU TSUNO via Getty Images)
村田製作所チアリーディング部(12 of33)
Japan\'s electronic parts maker Murata Manufacturing unveils 10 small robots for cheerleading, known as the \'Murata Cheerleaders,\' as they perform at a press preview in Tokyo on September 25, 2014. Murata Cheerleaders, equipped with various sensors such as gyro sensors, ultrasonic and infrared sensors, can make formations with wireless network sensing technology. AFP PHOTO / YOSHIKAZU TSUNO (Photo credit should read YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:YOSHIKAZU TSUNO via Getty Images)
村田製作所チアリーディング部(13 of33)
Japan\'s electronic parts maker Murata Manufacturing unveils 10 small robots for cheerleading, known as the \'Murata Cheerleaders,\' as they perform at a press preview in Tokyo on September 25, 2014. Murata Cheerleaders, equipped with various sensors such as gyro sensors, ultrasonic and infrared sensors, can make formations with wireless network sensing technology. AFP PHOTO / YOSHIKAZU TSUNO (Photo credit should read YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:YOSHIKAZU TSUNO via Getty Images)
村田製作所チアリーディング部(14 of33)
Japan\'s electronic parts maker Murata Manufacturing unveils 10 small robots for cheerleading, known as the \'Murata Cheerleaders,\' as they perform at a press preview in Tokyo on September 25, 2014. Murata Cheerleaders, equipped with various sensors such as gyro sensors, ultrasonic and infrared sensors, can make formations with wireless network sensing technology. AFP PHOTO / YOSHIKAZU TSUNO (Photo credit should read YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:YOSHIKAZU TSUNO via Getty Images)
村田製作所チアリーディング部(15 of33)
Japan\'s electronic parts maker Murata Manufacturing unveils 10 small robots for cheerleading, known as the \'Murata Cheerleaders,\' as they perform at a press preview in Tokyo on September 25, 2014. Murata Cheerleaders, equipped with various sensors such as gyro sensors, ultrasonic and infrared sensors, can make formations with wireless network sensing technology. AFP PHOTO / YOSHIKAZU TSUNO (Photo credit should read YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:YOSHIKAZU TSUNO via Getty Images)
村田製作所チアリーディング部(16 of33)
Japan\'s electronic parts maker Murata Manufacturing unveils 10 small robots for cheerleading, known as the \'Murata Cheerleaders,\' as they perform at a press preview in Tokyo on September 25, 2014. Murata Cheerleaders, equipped with various sensors such as gyro sensors, ultrasonic and infrared sensors, can make formations with wireless network sensing technology. AFP PHOTO / YOSHIKAZU TSUNO (Photo credit should read YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:YOSHIKAZU TSUNO via Getty Images)
村田製作所チアリーディング部(17 of33)
Murata Manufacturing Co.\'s Murata Cheerleaders robots stand on display during their unveiling at a news conference in Tokyo, Japan, on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2014. Murata manufactures and sells applied electronic components and is a supplier to Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. Photographer: Kiyoshi Ota/Bloomberg via Getty Images\n (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
村田製作所チアリーディング部(18 of33)
Japan\'s electronic parts maker Murata Manufacturing unveils 10 small robots for cheerleading, known as the \'Murata Cheerleaders,\' as they perform at a press preview in Tokyo on September 25, 2014. Murata Cheerleaders, equipped with various sensors such as gyro sensors, ultrasonic and infrared sensors, can make formations with wireless network sensing technology. AFP PHOTO / YOSHIKAZU TSUNO (Photo credit should read YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:YOSHIKAZU TSUNO via Getty Images)
村田製作所チアリーディング部(19 of33)
A Murata Manufacturing Co. Murata Cheerleaders robot stands on display during their unveiling at a news conference in Tokyo, Japan, on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2014. Murata manufactures and sells applied electronic components and is a supplier to Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. Photographer: Kiyoshi Ota/Bloomberg via Getty Images\n (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
村田製作所チアリーディング部(20 of33)
A Murata Manufacturing Co. Murata Cheerleaders robot stands on display during their unveiling at a news conference in Tokyo, Japan, on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2014. Murata manufactures and sells applied electronic components and is a supplier to Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. Photographer: Kiyoshi Ota/Bloomberg via Getty Images\n (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
村田製作所チアリーディング部(21 of33)
Murata Manufacturing Co.\'s Murata Cheerleaders robots perform during their unveiling at a news conference in Tokyo, Japan, on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2014. Murata manufactures and sells applied electronic components and is a supplier to Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. Photographer: Kiyoshi Ota/Bloomberg via Getty Images\n (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
村田製作所チアリーディング部(22 of33)
Murata Manufacturing Co.\'s Murata Cheerleaders robots perform during their unveiling at a news conference in Tokyo, Japan, on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2014. Murata manufactures and sells applied electronic components and is a supplier to Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. Photographer: Kiyoshi Ota/Bloomberg via Getty Images\n (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
村田製作所チアリーディング部(23 of33)
Murata Manufacturing Co.\'s Murata Cheerleaders robots perform during their unveiling at a news conference in Tokyo, Japan, on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2014. Murata manufactures and sells applied electronic components and is a supplier to Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. Photographer: Kiyoshi Ota/Bloomberg via Getty Images\n (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
村田製作所チアリーディング部(24 of33)
Murata Manufacturing Co.\'s Murata Cheerleaders robots perform during their unveiling at a news conference in Tokyo, Japan, on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2014. Murata manufactures and sells applied electronic components and is a supplier to Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. Photographer: Kiyoshi Ota/Bloomberg via Getty Images\n (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
村田製作所チアリーディング部(25 of33)
Murata Manufacturing Co.\'s Murata Cheerleaders robots perform during their unveiling at a news conference in Tokyo, Japan, on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2014. Murata manufactures and sells applied electronic components and is a supplier to Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. Photographer: Kiyoshi Ota/Bloomberg via Getty Images\n (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
村田製作所チアリーディング部(26 of33)
Murata Manufacturing Co.\'s Murata Cheerleaders robots perform during their unveiling at a news conference in Tokyo, Japan, on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2014. Murata manufactures and sells applied electronic components and is a supplier to Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. Photographer: Kiyoshi Ota/Bloomberg via Getty Images\n (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
村田製作所チアリーディング部(27 of33)
Murata Manufacturing Co.\'s Murata Cheerleaders robots perform during their unveiling at a news conference in Tokyo, Japan, on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2014. Murata manufactures and sells applied electronic components and is a supplier to Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. Photographer: Kiyoshi Ota/Bloomberg via Getty Images\n (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
村田製作所チアリーディング部(28 of33)
Murata Manufacturing Co.\'s Murata Cheerleaders robots perform during their unveiling at a news conference in Tokyo, Japan, on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2014. Murata manufactures and sells applied electronic components and is a supplier to Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. Photographer: Kiyoshi Ota/Bloomberg via Getty Images\n (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
村田製作所チアリーディング部(29 of33)
Murata Manufacturing Co.\'s Murata Cheerleaders robots perform during their unveiling at a news conference in Tokyo, Japan, on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2014. Murata manufactures and sells applied electronic components and is a supplier to Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. Photographer: Kiyoshi Ota/Bloomberg via Getty Images\n (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
村田製作所チアリーディング部(30 of33)
An employee prepares a Murata Manufacturing Co. Murata Cheerleaders robot for a photo session during their unveiling at a news conference in Tokyo, Japan, on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2014. Murata manufactures and sells applied electronic components and is a supplier to Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. Photographer: Kiyoshi Ota/Bloomberg via Getty Images\n (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
村田製作所チアリーディング部(31 of33)
Murata Manufacturing Co.\'s Murata Cheerleaders robots stand on display during their unveiling at a news conference in Tokyo, Japan, on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2014. Murata manufactures and sells applied electronic components and is a supplier to Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. Photographer: Kiyoshi Ota/Bloomberg via Getty Images\n (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
村田製作所チアリーディング部(32 of33)
Yuichi Kojima, senior vice president and deputy director of technology & business development at Murata Manufacturing Co., displays a Murata Cheerleaders robot for a photo session during their unveiling at a news conference in Tokyo, Japan, on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2014. Murata manufactures and sells applied electronic components and is a supplier to Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. Photographer: Kiyoshi Ota/Bloomberg via Getty Images\n (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)
村田製作所チアリーディング部(33 of33)
A Murata Manufacturing Co. Murata Cheerleaders robot stands on display during their unveiling at a news conference in Tokyo, Japan, on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2014. Murata manufactures and sells applied electronic components and is a supplier to Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. Photographer: Kiyoshi Ota/Bloomberg via Getty Images\n (credit:Bloomberg via Getty Images)