# Sharp Corporation

> Japanese electronics company

**Wikidata**: [Q53227](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q53227)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharp_Corporation)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/sharp-corporation

## Summary
Sharp Corporation is a Japanese electronics company founded in 1912 by Tokuji Hayakawa, known for pioneering innovations in consumer electronics, home appliances, and precision instruments. The company is notable for its long-standing contributions to technology, including early calculators, televisions, and its role in manufacturing components for Apple’s MessagePad and SLIM lunar lander.

## Key Facts
- Founded in 1912 by Tokuji Hayakawa in Osaka, Japan
- Headquarters located in Sakai, Japan
- Operates as a public company listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange
- Part of the Nikkei 225 stock index
- Employed approximately 50,253 people globally as of recent reports
- Annual revenue of ¥2.42 trillion (as of latest available data)
- Net profit of ¥70.225 billion in a recent fiscal year, following a loss of ¥24.325 billion the previous year
- Total assets valued at approximately ¥1.909 trillion
- Industry classification: Electronics and home appliances
- Notable products include the Sharp EL-8 calculator, Sharp X1 and X68000 home computers, Sharp Aquos TVs, and the Sharp Nintendo Television
- Collaborated with Apple Inc. in the 1990s to manufacture the MessagePad personal digital assistant
- Contributed solar arrays to the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) mission by JAXA
- Sharp is a subsidiary of Foxconn (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.) as of 2016
- Member of the Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA)
- Operates under the legal entity name SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
- Has a global presence with subsidiaries and operations in multiple countries
- Sharp has developed and contributed to open-source initiatives, including the CE Linux Forum
- The company’s stock is traded under the ticker symbol 6753 on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and SHP on the London Stock Exchange

## FAQs
**What is Sharp Corporation known for?**  
Sharp Corporation is known for its innovations in electronics, including early electronic calculators, home computers, LCD televisions, and contributions to space technology such as the SLIM lunar lander. It also played a role in manufacturing the Apple MessagePad.

**When was Sharp Corporation founded, and by whom?**  
Sharp Corporation was founded in 1912 by Tokuji Hayakawa in Osaka, Japan. Hayakawa initially established the company as Hayakawa Metal Works, which later evolved into Sharp Corporation.

**What industries does Sharp Corporation operate in?**  
Sharp operates primarily in the electronics and home appliances industry, producing a wide range of consumer and commercial products including televisions, air conditioners, refrigerators, and calculators.

**Is Sharp Corporation still independent?**  
No, Sharp Corporation became a subsidiary of Foxconn (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.) in 2016, after being acquired for approximately $3.5 billion.

**What are some notable products developed by Sharp?**  
Notable products include the Sharp EL-8 electronic calculator, Sharp X1 and X68000 home computers, Sharp Aquos LCD TVs, and the Sharp Nintendo Television. Sharp also manufactured the MessagePad in collaboration with Apple Inc.

**What role did Sharp play in space exploration?**  
Sharp manufactured the solar arrays used in the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM), a lunar lander developed by JAXA, which successfully landed on the Moon in January 2024.

**What is Sharp’s current financial status?**  
As of recent reports, Sharp had annual revenue of ¥2.42 trillion, with total assets of ¥1.909 trillion and approximately 50,253 employees. The company reported a net profit of ¥70.225 billion after a previous year loss.

**What organizations is Sharp a member of?**  
Sharp is a member of the Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA) and is part of the Nikkei 225 stock index.

## Why It Matters
Sharp Corporation has played a pivotal role in shaping the global electronics industry through its early innovations in calculators, home computers, and LCD technology. Its products have influenced consumer electronics and industrial applications, contributing to both everyday convenience and advanced technological systems. Sharp’s legacy includes pioneering the development of early personal computing devices and its collaboration with major tech firms like Apple. Additionally, its involvement in space technology through the SLIM lunar mission underscores its continued relevance in cutting-edge applications.

## Notable For
- Being one of the first companies to mass-produce electronic calculators, including the Sharp EL-8
- Developing early home computers such as the Sharp X1 and Sharp X68000, which were influential in Japan’s computing culture
- Creating the Sharp Nintendo Television, integrating gaming directly into TV sets
- Manufacturing the MessagePad for Apple Inc. in the 1990s, marking an early foray into personal digital assistants
- Contributing solar arrays to the SLIM lunar lander, aiding Japan’s first successful Moon landing
- Being acquired by Foxconn in 2016, marking a major shift in corporate ownership
- Being a longstanding member of JEITA and a component of the Nikkei 225 index
- Pioneering LCD and display technologies under the Sharp Aquos brand
- Producing a wide range of home appliances, from air conditioners to refrigerators, known for energy efficiency and innovation

## Body

### History and Founding
Sharp Corporation was founded in 1912 by Tokuji Hayakawa in Osaka, Japan. Originally named Hayakawa Metal Works, the company began as a small metal workshop and evolved into a global electronics giant. Hayakawa’s early invention, the Sharp mechanical pencil, became the namesake of the company. Over the decades, Sharp expanded into electronics, producing Japan’s first all-transistor calculator in 1964 and continuing to innovate in consumer electronics, home appliances, and industrial technology.

### Corporate Structure and Ownership
Sharp Corporation is a public company traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol 6753. It is also listed on the London Stock Exchange as SHP. In 2016, the company was acquired by Foxconn (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.), a Taiwanese multinational electronics contract manufacturer, for approximately $3.5 billion, making it a wholly owned subsidiary. This acquisition was part of Foxconn’s strategy to expand into display and smart home technologies.

### Products and Innovations
Sharp has developed a wide array of consumer and commercial products. Notable early innovations include:
- The Sharp EL-8, one of the first pocket-sized electronic calculators (1964)
- The Sharp PC-1211 and PC-1500 pocket computers and personal computers
- The Sharp X1 and Sharp X68000 series of home computers, popular in Japan during the 1980s
- The Sharp Nintendo Television, integrating the Nintendo Entertainment System into a TV set
- The Sharp Aquos brand of LCD televisions, known for high-quality displays

In the 1990s, Sharp collaborated with Apple Inc. to manufacture the MessagePad, an early personal digital assistant. Sharp’s involvement in space technology includes manufacturing solar arrays for the SLIM lunar lander, which successfully landed on the Moon in January 2024.

### Financials and Operations
Sharp reported annual revenue of approximately ¥2.42 trillion, with total assets of ¥1.909 trillion. The company employs around 50,253 people globally. In recent years, Sharp has experienced financial volatility, reporting a net loss of ¥24.325 billion in one fiscal year, followed by a net profit of ¥70.225 billion the next.

### Industry and Memberships
Sharp is a member of the Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA), which represents the interests of Japan’s electronics sector. The company is also part of the Nikkei 225 stock index, reflecting its significance in the Japanese economy.

### Subsidiaries and Collaborations
Sharp operates several subsidiaries, including Sharp Aquos (LCD televisions and displays) and Dynabook (personal computers). It has also been involved in collaborative efforts such as the CE Linux Forum, which promotes the use of Linux in consumer electronics.

### Headquarters and Locations
Sharp’s headquarters are located in Sakai, Japan. The company has a global presence with operations in multiple countries, including manufacturing and sales divisions in Asia, Europe, and North America.

### Legacy and Cultural Impact
Sharp’s legacy includes pioneering the development of early personal computing devices and LCD technology, which have had a lasting impact on consumer electronics. The company’s innovations in home appliances and energy-efficient technologies have made it a household name in Japan and beyond. Its contributions to space exploration, particularly through the SLIM lunar lander, highlight its ongoing role in advancing technological frontiers.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.sharp-world.com/corporate/ir/library/financial/pdf/2018/1/1803_4Q_Release.pdf)
2. [Source](https://disclosure2.edinet-fsa.go.jp/WZEK0040.aspx?S100OEYJ,,)
3. [Source](https://global.sharp/corporate/info/outline/)
4. CiNii Research
5. Google Knowledge Graph
6. MusicBrainz
7. [Source](https://www.wi-fi.org/membership/member-companies)
8. [Source](https://www.sdcard.org/about_sda/member_companies/index.html)
9. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
10. [Source](http://www.sharp-world.com/corporate/ir/library/annual/pdf/annual_2014.pdf)
11. [Source](http://www.linux-usb.org/usb.ids)
12. [Source](http://km.aifb.kit.edu/services/crunchbase/)
13. [Consolidated Financial Results for the Year Ended March 31, 2018. Sharp Corporation](http://www.sharp-world.com/corporate/ir/library/financial/pdf/2018/1/1803_4Q_Release.pdf)
14. GRID Release 2017-03-08
15. [Re-growth on Track. Sharp Corporation](http://www.sharp-world.com/corporate/ir/library/annual/pdf/annual_2014.pdf)
16. Quora
17. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
18. ROR release v2.5
19. [Source](https://golden.com/wiki/Sharp_Corporation-AKJBKE)
20. YouTube API