| 2008 |
- Develops and markets 10-megapixel CCD, one of the industry’s highest pixel counts for the 1/2.33-inch size
- Sharp, Renesas Technology Corporation, and Powerchip Semiconductor Corporation establish joint venture, Renesas SP Drivers Inc., specializing in drivers and controllers for small/mid-size LCDs
- Starts mass production of blue-violet laser diodes, with the industry’s highest output of 250 mW
- Releases world’s smallest and thinnest One-Seg tuner module
- Sharp and Sony Corporation sign non-binding memorandum of intent to establish joint venture for large LCD panels and modules
- Kansai Recycling Systems achieves milestone of 5 million consumer electronics recycled
- Introduces executive officer system
- Sharp and ELIIY Power Co., Ltd. agree to collaborate on development of large-capacity lithium-ion batteries
- Sharp’s shipment of One-Seg-compatible mobile phones passes 10-million mark
- Markets 108V-inch LCD monitor, the world’s largest commercial-use LCD
- Sakai City, Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc., and Sharp agree to cooperate on mega solar power generation plan for Sakai City waterfront
- Releases LED lighting for factories, offices, and commercial facilities
- Verifies (in collaboration with Retroscreen Virology Ltd. founded by Professor John S. Oxford, world authority on virology from the University of London) that higher concentrations of Plasmacluster Ions® remove 99.9% of airborne H5N1 avian influenza virus
- Releases air purifiers equipped with high-concentration Plasmacluster Ion generator and next-generation LED lighting for both health benefits and energy efficiency
- Releases X Series AQUOS LCD TVs incorporating the next-generation Mega Advanced Super View LCD—a cumulation of Sharp’s one-of-a-kind LCD technologies—and offering amazingly superb picture quality, innovative thin-profile design, and outstanding environmental performance
- Starts mass production of 2nd-generation thin-film solar cells that use large glass substrates
- Releases DX Series AQUOS LCD TVs, the world’s first LCD TVs with built-in Blu-ray Disc recorder
- Sharp and Nichia Corporation enter into patent cross-licensing agreement covering LEDs and laser diodes
- Sharp and Italian electric power company, Enel SpA, agree on establishment of joint venture in solar power generation business and on production of thin-film solar cells
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- Price of crude oil and food rises, gasoline prices surpass 180 yen/liter in Japan (plunges afterwards following financial crisis)
- Beijing Olympics
- Japanese Prime Minister Fukuda resigns, succeeded by Taro Aso
- Major US securities company Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. files for bankruptcy; worldwide financial crisis develops
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| 2009 |
- Installs approximately 10,000 industrial Plasmacluster ion generators at Sharp offices and sales bases in Japan and abroad
- Releases notebook PC with optical sensor LCD pad
- Markets mobile phone with built-in solar panel
- Announces new environmental vision of becoming an Eco-Positive Company
- Markets LED lamps
- Establishes consumer electronics and office equipment sales subsidiary in Vietnam
- Agrees on joint venture with Sony Corporation to produce and sell large LCD panels and modules
- Releases Mobile Internet Tool
- Signs agreement with Nanjing CEC-PANDA LCD Technology Co., Ltd. for LCD panel production project in China
- Releases LX Series of LED AQUOS incorporating UV2A technology—a next-generation LCD technology—and an LED backlight
- Begins operations at LCD panel plant in Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture, Japan to manufacture cutting-edge LCD panels (Green Front Sakai)
- Releases SX Series of Plasmacluster air conditioners equipped with a high-concentration Plasmacluster ion generator that releases 25,000 ions/cm3
- Produces first shipment of LCD panels at Green Front Sakai
- Supplies the compound solar cells that power Japan’s Tokai University team to victory in the 2009 Global Green Challenge, one of the world’s largest solar car races
- Agrees to establish optical disk joint venture with Pioneer Corporation
- Makes first-ever verification of Plasmacluster ion efficacy in inhibiting infectivity of adhering and airborne new-type H1N1 influenza virus
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- Barack Obama inaugurated as 44th President of the United States of America, awarded Nobel Peace Prize
- G7 urges economic measures to stem global financial crisis
- WHO issues Phase 6 pandemic alert for new-type H1N1 influenza
- Chrysler and General Motors file for bankruptcy
- Eco Point system begins in Japan
- Global recession leads to huge deficits and job losses in electronics and automobile industries
- Total solar eclipse occurs for first time in 46 years
- Landslide victory for the Democratic Party of Japan in House of Representatives election leads to change of government; Hatoyama Cabinet takes office
- Steep appreciation of the yen (at one point rising to 84 yen against the dollar) occurs for first time in 14 years
- Negative GDP growth rate for two consecutive years in Japan
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