

Update #1: Nikon issued a statement denying any layoffs.

Update #2: Nikon to “re-assign” 1,550 employees in Japan, total headcount will be reduced by 1,000

This just in from Nikkei - "Nikon to cut 1,000 jobs in Japan":

Nikon plans to eliminate about 1,000 jobs in Japan, or 10% of its domestic workforce, as the company shifts resources away from once core businesses to medical devices and other growth areas.

The cuts over the next two to three years will mostly affect Nikon's money-losing semiconductor equipment operations and its shrinking digital camera business.

Nikon is seen missing its forecast of a 64% jump in net profit to 30 billion yen ($287 million) for the fiscal year ending in March. Its net profit has fallen from a peak of 75.4 billion yen in fiscal 2007 to 18.2 billion yen last year.