Mr. Kobe is the only subordinate left since the company was founded in 1973, and Mr. Nagamori calls him his “henchman.” In Mr. Nagamori's statement, it seems that there was also an aim to dodge criticism that a person who was one size older than the new president took office in an age where managers were rejuvenating.
However, the reason why the media and some investors criticize Mr. Nagamori, saying “it may be old age,” is not simply a matter of age, and even if succession candidates are adopted one after another, even though the times have changed, they impose their own successful experiences and do not try to nurture them carefully, and they litter management human resources in a short period of time.

The demand forecast for silicon wafers for semiconductor memory until 2026 was revised downward by about 3% from March. There is a widespread view that sales of consumer electronic devices such as smartphones and personal computers will slow down due to concerns about the deterioration of the world economy, such as the progress of inflation and soaring energy prices. The fact that SUMCO, a major semiconductor wafer company, has reviewed predictions seems to confirm the slowdown in memory demand.
A demand forecast is a numerical value that presupposes earnings forecasts. SUMCO estimates that demand for 300 mm diameter polished wafers used in NAND flash memory, DRAM, etc. will decrease by 100,000 to 150,000 sheets from the initial forecast on a monthly production basis. It is anticipated that surplus will not occur in the form of being absorbed by customers seeking additional supply, so it is our policy not to review production plans.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Masayuki Hashimoto emphasized that “it is unlikely that memory (production) adjustments will affect even wafers.” It shows the view that even if customer inventories begin to increase, steady demand will continue and supply and demand will not ease.
The memory wafer market grew at an average annual pace of 6.3% in 08-26, and monthly production exceeded 6 million sheets in '25...