Several electronics makers have regained profitability largely thanks to restructuring measures and the weakening of the yen, but Sharp Corp. and Toshiba Corp. are unlikely to catch up with their domestic rivals soon.
Struggling Sharp's latest rehabilitation plan got a cold reception from the financial markets, while Toshiba faces the risk of being delisted in light of accounting irregularities that have emerged in connection with past infrastructure projects.
The stock prices of the two well-established enterprises have come under selling pressure recently, with fears growing that they will lose global competitiveness and face a tougher predicament down the road.