Shares in Japanese electronics giant Toshiba have been delisted from the Tokyo stock exchange after 74 years.
It has moved to private ownership in an £11billion takeover by buyout group Japan Industrial Partners (JIP), following years of upheaval and scandal that brought down a big brand at the heart of the country’s dominance of electronics in the 20th century.
The company, which dates back to 1875, has been in turmoil since it was rocked by an accounting scandal in 2015 that shook corporate Japan to the core.
Goodbye Tosh: Japanese electronics giant Toshiba has moved to private ownership in an £11bn takeover by buyout group Japan Industrial Partners
Toshiba, under chief executive Taro Shimada, who is staying, is expected to focus on digital services.
JIP’s support for Shimada derailed its earlier plan to team up with a state-backed fund. Some industry insiders say splitting up Toshiba may be a better option.
‘Toshiba’s difficulties were caused by a combination of bad strategic decisions and bad luck,’ said Damian Thong, head of Japan research at Macquarie Capital Securities.
‘I hope that through divestitures, Toshiba’s assets and human talent can find new homes where their full potential can be unleashed.’
Japan’s government will keep a close watch. The company employs around 106,000 people and some operations are seen as critical to national security.