Panasonic Plans 8,000 Job Cuts Amid Second Straight Loss

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(Bloomberg) Panasonic Corp. (6752) plans to cut 8,000 jobs in the second half of this fiscal year as the Japanese TV maker restructures amid falling demand and a rising yen.

The company, which eliminated 8,871 jobs in the six months ended Sept. 30, is planning further cuts by March 31 to speed up the reforms, Atsushi Hinoki, a Tokyo-based spokesman, said by phone. The expense for the job cuts is already included in the company’s forecast for an annual loss of 765 billion yen ($9.6 billion), he said.

Panasonic shares this month plunged to the lowest in at least 38 years and Moody’s Investors Service said it will review its debt for a potential downgrade after Japan’s third-biggest employer predicted a loss this fiscal year. The Osaka-based company eliminated almost 39,000 jobs in the past year, or about 11 percent of its staff, as Japanese electronics makers struggle amid competition with Samsung (005930) Electronics Co.

“They have no choice but to cut more jobs, given the enormous loss,” said Yoshihiro Okumura, a general manager at Chiba-Gin Asset Management Co. “Further job cuts were expected. What is more important going forward is to realign its businesses and show investors a clear picture for revival.” .............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-11-14/panasonic-plans-8-000-job-cuts-amid-second-consecutive-loss-1-.html

[msongs]

1. korea gets its revenge nt