Japan Inc. appeared to be losing one of its crown jewels Thursday after troubled electronics giant Sharp accepted a rescue package from Hon Hai of Taiwan, turning down a bid from a government-backed consortium.

But surprisingly, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. said within hours that it would postpone signing the deal because of "new material information" from Sharp Corp.

Foxconn, the parent of Hon Hai, put out a one-paragraph statement late Thursday after Sharp disclosed the agreement terms.