Fujitsu and Toshiba in talks over mobile merger

Fujitsu and Toshiba are in discussions about merging their mobile phone divisions, according to reports.

Sources told the Financial Times that Fujitsu would hold majority ownership of the merged operation, which would be Japan’s second largest handset maker (after Sharp) but still only a minor player in the global market.

The FT reports that only three per cent of mobile phones are made by Japanese firms, despite companies from the country pioneering technologies used in most smartphones, such as web browsing and LCD screens.

Fujitsu and Toshiba have said that a decision has not been made yet on merging their smartphone businesses.