Fujitsu to merge LSI chip business with Panasonic, cut 5,000 jobs

Intense semiconductor competition has already forced numerous Japanese companies to work together, and now Fujitsu has announced that it’ll merge its LSI chip design and R&D divisions with Panasonic.

The two companies are looking to the state-run Development Bank of Japan to fund the new venture, which comes in the wake of expected Fujitsu losses of over $1 billion this year — forcing the company to cut 5,000 jobs and transfer 4,500 to other divisions by March 31st.