Sales increased both in the domestic and international markets. At the same time, operating profit rose by 66 percent to around 57 billion JPY (approximately 394 million euros).

Sales of image sensors grow by over 20 percent

In opto-semiconductors, sales of image sensors for semiconductor manufacturing and inspection equipment increased due to growing global demand for semiconductors, while in automation, for example, controllers for industrial robots and the like, sales of photo ICs, photodiodes and LEDs increased. In the medical sector, sales of silicon photodiodes for X-ray CT and MPPC for PET increased in response to continued growth in demand in Japan and overseas. As a result, opto-semiconductor net sales increased 22.7 percent to approximately 660 million euros and operating profit increased 55.5 percent to approximately 234 million euros compared to the previous year.

Demand for image processing and measuring instruments remains strong

In imaging and measurement systems, sales of digital cameras increased not only in life sciences and biotechnology, but also in physics, including quantum and astronomy research, due to new product launches, and sales for DNA testing also increased overseas. In addition, sales of digital slide scanners continued to increase in Europe, and sales of failure analysis systems for semiconductor devices were also strong in Japan and overseas, especially in Asia. As a result, net sales of the Imaging and Measurement Instruments business unit increased by 23.8 percent to approximately 184 million Euros and operating profit by 55.2 percent to approximately 57 million Euros compared to the previous year.