Sharp reportedly sells underused LCD plant to Foxconn as the tech giant accelerates its electric vehicle ambitions in Japan with strategic factory expansion.
Japanese electronics manufacturer Sharp is set to sell its LCD plant in Kameyama, Mie Prefecture, to its parent company, Foxconn, according to a recent Nikkei report. Foxconn has not yet publicly commented, but reports suggest the acquisition is part of its push to expand in Japan’s electric vehicle (EV) market.
The Kameyama facility was initially established for television production. However, mounting competition from Chinese manufacturers and declining LCD prices have led Sharp to downscale its LCD operations.
The plant currently produces small and medium-sized LCD panels used in smartphones, tablets, and laptops. It consists of two production buildings, with the second building experiencing reduced output and a capacity cut to 80 per cent as of June last year. This underutilised section is the part being sold to Foxconn.
Foxconn is aggressively growing its EV business in Japan. Jun Seki, Foxconn’s Chief Strategy Officer for EVs, has outlined plans to focus on EV design and contract manufacturing within the country. The company aims to manufacture EVs locally, with production slated to begin around 2027 or 2028.
To support this goal, Foxconn is exploring acquiring existing automotive plants in Japan, particularly those with spare capacity. Alternatively, building a new facility remains on the table.
In a related development, Foxconn’s EV subsidiary, Foxtron Vehicle Technologies, recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Mitsubishi Motors Corporation. The partnership involves co-developing and supplying electric vehicles under an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) arrangement. Foxtron will oversee design and production management. The first vehicle from this collaboration is expected to launch in Australia and New Zealand in the latter half of 2026.
