Olympus plans to raise additional capital, which could happen after a late-April meeting of shareholders. According to revised financial statements, Olympus had an equity ratio of just 4.5 percent at the end of September, down from a pre-revision 15 percent in March 2011.
The meeting is intended to pick new management that will decide on these prospective partnerships and other matters. Several firms are showing interest in a capital tie-up with Olympus. Sony Corp. has proposed a capital and business alliance with Olympus, offering to take a of up to 20-30 percent in Olympus. Sony is looking to expand the use of its imaging sensors in endoscopes and grow sales of products such as high-resolution monitors for medical use. Fujifilm is also interested in capital and business collaboration with Olympus eyeing the latter’s endoscope business.
