Sharp 2008 Annual Report Download - page 9

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Sharp’s two new visions are to ‘Realize a
true ubiquitous network society with our
world’s best LCDs’ and ‘Contribute to
society by environment- and health-related
business with energy-saving and energy-
creating equipment as the core.’
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Can you explain “Visions for 2012” that
Sharp embarked upon at the beginning
of 2008?
We have established two visions for the 2012
centennial anniversary of our foundation: “Realize a
true ubiquitous network society with our world’s best
LCDs” and “Contribute to society by environment-
and health-related business with energy-saving and
energy-creating equipment as the core.”
Progress is expected in digital convergence, in
which media, equipment and functions will be
integrated around a core of digital technology.
These infrastructure changes will provide us with
key business opportunities. In the ubiquitous
network society, LCDs will increase in importance
as “windows of information.” We possess an
extensive line-up of LCDs, from small to large
sizes, and our display technology, including for
peripheral devices, is at the highest level in the
world. Leveraging these competitive advantages,
we will contribute to the realization of a true
ubiquitous network society. Specifically, we will
offer new lifestyles that use LCD-equipped
products such as LCD TVs and mobile phones as
portal terminals that function as gateways to
network services.
Meanwhile, people’s lifestyles are quickly
becoming more environment- and health-
conscious against a backdrop of worsening
environmental problems, and the aging population
and falling birth rate, particularly in industrialized
nations. These changes have heralded
outstanding opportunities for Sharp to fully utilize
the strengths we have accumulated over a long
period in energy-saving and energy-creating
technologies. We will promote energy saving and
energy creation by such measures as enhancing
the development of LCDs that boast excellent
environmental performance, creating energy-
efficient home appliances and office equipment,
and expanding business of clean-energy solar
cells. We are also working to offer healthy lifestyles
to the world by encouraging the widespread use
of health-promoting appliances that make the
most of our Plasmacluster Ion and superheated
steam technologies.
What are the features and aims of the “21st
century manufacturing complex” being
built in Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture?
The major feature of the complex is that it will be
home not only to Sharp’s new LCD panel plant
and solar cell plant but will also incorporate
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