Form 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the month of December 2004
Commission File Number: 001-06439
SONY CORPORATION
(Translation of registrant's name into English)
7-35 KITASHINAGAWA 6-CHOME, SHINAGAWA-KU, TOKYO, JAPAN
(Address of principal executive offices)
The registrant files annual reports under cover of Form 20-F.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports
under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F,
Form 20-F X Form 40-F __
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
Yes_ No X
If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in
connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):82-______
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
SONY CORPORATION
(Registrant)
By:__ /s/ Katsumi Ihara
(Signature)
Katsumi Ihara
Executive Deputy President,
Group Chief Strategy Officer
and Chief Financial Officer
Date: December 21, 2004
List of materials
Documents attached hereto:
i) A press release regarding Semiconductor Production Capacity
No.04-062E
December 21st, 2004
Strengthening production capacity to increase the in-house sourcing of
semiconductors, as the core of electronics products
Further enhancement in the vertical integration of products and semiconductors,
development of differentiation and value-adding devices
TOKYO, Japan, December 21st, 2004 - Sony Corporation today announces the
expansion of Sony Semiconductor Kyushu Corporation's Kokubu Technology Center
and Kumamoto Technology Center (hereafter Kokubu Tec. and Kumamoto Tec.). The
purpose is to enhance the production environment of core semiconductors which
are key in differentiating and adding value to electronics products. The
construction of new production wings is targeted to start in May 2005, with an
investment scale of approximately 60 Billion yen over 2005 and 2006.
The investment announced today is intended to proactively produce
semiconductors for integration into Sony electronics products; display related
devices, such as the reflection-type LCD projection device, "SXRD" and the LCD
driver, as well as imaging devices such as CCD and CMOS. This will further
enhance the Sony Group's overall semiconductor related production environment.
It will also contribute to the enhanced vertical integration of products and
devices as well as improved competitiveness.
In Kokubu Tec., approximately 10 Billion Yen* will be invested to construct a
new production wing, leading to the expansion of clean-room area by 5,000 m2.
This added production line will produce the LCD projection-use device "SXRD",
and LCD driver ICs to be used in LCD TVs, where the market is very much expected
to expand. Mass production is scheduled to start from Spring 2006.
* Investment for the production equipment is not included.
In Kumamoto Tec., approximately 50 Billion Yen will be invested to construct
a new production wing and introduce new production equipment. The new wing is a
2-layer structure clean-room with a total potential surface area of 20,000 m2.
The investment this time will result in the installation of 5,000m2 of
clean-room. The investment will also be used to introduce image sensor
production equipment, and operations in this new facility are targeted to start
from Spring 2006. In addition to CCDs, whose characteristics are high-resolution
and small size, CMOS image sensor with strengths such as low power consumption
and multi-function, will be added as production items, targeting expanded
business opportunities in the imaging device market. In addition, the
introduction of the LCD process for "SXRD" is also planned.
Outline of each of the facility, Kokubu Technology Center and Kumamoto
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Technology Center
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Company Name : Sony Semiconductor Kyushu Corporation
Representative : Kiyoshi Okubo, Representative Director(President)
Address : Headquarters -> Fukuoka-city, Fukuoka Prefecture
Kokubu Tec. -> Kokubu-Shi, Kagoshima Prefecture
Main products : Bi-polar IC, MOS IC, High-temperature
Poly-silicon LCD, CCD, etc.
Kumamoto Tec.-> Kikuchi-gun, Kumamoto Prefecture
Main products : High-temperature Poly-silicon LCD, CCD, etc.
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Corporate Communications, Sony Corporation Tel : +81-(0)3-5448-2200