tokyo (afp) - japan's fujitsu group said it will end production of plasma evisions, a technology which it was the first in the world to introduce commercially, due to lack of profitability.
plasma evisions sales have been falling behind those for liquid crystal display (lcd), a rival high-definition technology.
fujitsu general ltd., a subsidiary of fujitsu ltd., has already stopped most production of plasma evisions. it currently produces only high-end models sold primarily at us and british boutique electronic stores.
during the past several years, the pricing and profitability of this segment has compressed beyond the point which our company could realise a satisfactory return on investment, fujitsu general said in a statement thursday.
it said it would get out of the business by march and focus on the fujitsu unit's cores business of heating and ventilation equipment.
fujitsu general was the first in the world to sell plasma evisions in the early 1990s after more than two decades of research in the united states and japan.
fujitsu already gave up its major plasma-evision operation in 2005, handing over control of a joint venture to partner hitachi ltd.
another japanese firm, pioneer corp., earlier this year suspended plans to build a new plant after running into the red over sliding sales of plasma displays.
the plasma evision sector, however, continues to have strong supporters including matsushita electric industrial co., maker of the panasonic brand.