Due to global financial
problems, Advantest Corp. is expecting to lose at least 21% of its job force. The Japan-based company that is responsible for electronic measuring
equipment and semiconductor test systems is also expecting loss of ¥78 billion, or US$805.7 million.
Since the start of 2009, the company’s work force has been reduced drastically, going from 4,300 to 3,400 by the end of March. Employees are also being offered voluntary retirement while salaries of directors are being reduced 50-60% and management class employees 5-20%.
The entire cost of the recent reallignments will be ¥25 billion, compared to the ¥16.5 billion profit Advantest Corp. experienced in last fiscal year.