The Life Care business is expected to grow on the basis of the global aging population and improving living standards in emerging countries. Also, in the Information Technology business, the market is expected to grow on the back of the progress in the miniaturization of semiconductors and the increase in data center demand, etc.; We will make growth investments to achieve higher performance in each business than the market’s growth potential.
Market growth, driven by global aging population and improving living standards in emerging countries
The aging global population is expected to boost demand for eyeglasses due to normal deterioration of vision by aging. Demand for medical flexible endoscopes is also anticipated to rise as a result of policies to restrain an increase in government medical expenditures, through preventive screening.
Middle-class populations, especially in Asia, are increasing on the basis of economic growth of emerging countries. More people will have opportunities to buy eyeglasses or receive medical treatment, which means expansion of business opportunities for HOYA.
Demand for eyeglass lenses is increasing worldwide, due to aging of populations, higher purchasing power supported by emerging countries’ economic growth, rising health consciousness, and deterioration of vision caused by longer screen times.
Medical expenses are increasing worldwide, along with aging of populations. Governments are promoting disease prevention and early detection of diseases, as well as minimally invasive medical treatment. In particular the importance of the latter is rising in popularity, as part of the trend of reducing invasive medical treatment. Medical flexible endoscopes, which allow physicians to diagnose and treat the patient in a less-invasive way help to fulfill such needs.
Market growth, driven by technological advancement and expansion of application areas
The market of the Information Technology business as a whole is in a matured stage, but a closer look at each of our products reveals potential growth sub-segments.
Extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography is a technology used to transfer semiconductor circuit pattern to a substrate using EUV light. It is a potential key for advanced miniaturization of semiconductor circuits. HOYA understands client needs accurately and precisely, and properly responds to technological requirements with the underlying objective of being a leader in the market of mask blanks for EUV lithography.
Nearline storage is used for backup and archiving purposes. The market for nearline storage has continued to undergo significant growth to accommodate the global surge in data volume. Memory capacity per storage unit needs to be increased to improve the efficiency of server space in data centers. HOYA will meet such needs by proposing an increase in the number of disks mounted per HDD to customers based on thinner disks in an effort to increase disk shipment volume.
The market for in-vehicle camera lenses is expected to grow, as they are expected to be used in sensors required for automated driving technology. We will absorb market growth by leveraging high-value-added glass materials and aspherical glass lenses, in which our strength lies.