Details
📈 Largest shareholder: EssilorLuxottica has increased its stake in Nikon to nearly 11%, becoming the Japanese company’s largest shareholder.
🛂 Clear view up to 20%: The Japanese government reviewed and approved the deal, allowing EssilorLuxottica to gradually raise its stake to as much as 20%.
🤝 Old partners, new plans: Nikon and EssilorLuxottica have jointly produced eyeglass lenses through their Nikon-Essilor venture since 2000. Now, new high-tech projects are in sight — including smart glasses with Meta.
💹 Shares up: Nikon’s stock jumped nearly six percent after the announcement. Investors see the move as a vote of confidence and a long-term strategic partnership with strong potential.
🔍 Strategic lens: The deal deepens the supply and development chain in precision optics. For EssilorLuxottica, it means more control over key components for high-end eyewear and wearables. For Nikon, it brings a stable anchor investor and potential new sales channels beyond cameras.
Big Picture
Japan’s high-tech sector is becoming increasingly attractive to Western investors but remains tightly regulated. EssilorLuxottica’s move shows how strategic stakes in key technology firms can succeed — as long as they align with national security goals. For both sides, the deal goes beyond money: it connects precision optics, the chip industry, and wearable tech into a global innovation model.
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