Researchers from Toshiba and the Keio University in Tokyo have jointly created a 1TB SSD prototype the size of a small postage stamp, consisting of 128 NAND flash memory chips and one controller chip.

Toshiba will spend 800 billion yen (US$8.9 billion) to build a new microchip plant, reviving plans that it had put on hold amid sluggish sales, according to the Nikkei business daily. It may start construction of the new factory for NAND flash memory chips as early as this summer, aiming to begin operations in spring 2011.

Toshiba, which competes with Samsung Electronics in chips and with Areva and General Electric in nuclear power, is likely to miss the market consensus figure for its quarterly operating profit, according to the Nikkei business daily.

Toyota Motor aims to double its global output of gas-electric hybrid cars to one million units in 2011, as it fights to stay in the lead in the growing market for low-emission cars.

Elpida Memory plans to increase its stake in Rexchip Electronics to 71% by the end of 2009, Nikkei English News said, without citing anyone.

The Nikkei reported that Hitachi, Mitsubishi Electric and NEC are in talks to infuse a total of about 200 billion yen into Renesas and NEC Electronics to help smooth the way toward a merger. The merger has been delayed for the second time.

Elpida Memory may sign up today (August 7) with the Development Bank of Japan, becoming eligible for about 30 billion yen (US$314 million) in government aid, Nikkei English News said.

Electronic manufacturers, including Toshiba and Hitachi, are planning to consolidate flat-panel television factories outside Japan and expand outsourcing to cut costs, the Nikkei business daily reported.

Japan's Nikkei average rose 0.6% on Wednesday, lifted by exporters on a weaker yen. Pioneer was untraded due to a glut of buy orders after sources claimed the electronics maker is considering applying for state funds. Elpida Memory soared nearly 17% after a local paper said it may seek around 50 billion yen (US$507 million) in public money to shore up its capital.