Hitachi is considering divesting its Japanese home appliance business in a transaction valued at approximately ¥100 billion ($679 million), according to reports from Nikkei. Samsung Electronics emerged as one of several potential buyers showing interest in the white goods operation.
The potential sale represents another step in Hitachi’s ongoing transformation toward social infrastructure and digital segments. The Japanese conglomerate has systematically shed consumer-facing businesses over recent years, including a $300 million sale of its overseas home appliance operations to Turkey’s Arçelik in 2020.
Hitachi’s domestic appliance division faces headwinds from Japan’s shrinking population, which has pressured sales across the white goods sector. The company’s strategic pivot reflects broader challenges confronting traditional Japanese manufacturers as they compete with lower-cost rivals while demographic trends erode domestic demand.
For Samsung, the acquisition would expand its appliance footprint in a premium market where brand recognition commands higher margins. The South Korean electronics giant has pursued strategic acquisitions in home appliances, including its 2016 purchase of luxury kitchen brand Dacor.
Hitachi has systematically restructured since recording a record ¥787 billion loss following the 2008 financial crisis. The company’s market capitalization has increased eightfold since 2010, driven by its focus on infrastructure and digital solutions.
The timeline for completing any transaction remains unclear, with Hitachi yet to make formal announcements regarding the potential divestiture.
