The new company – which has not yet been named – will come into effect on April 1, 2010.

The joint venture, owned 80 per cent by Toppan Printing Company Limited and 20 per cent by Casio Computer Company Limited, will be engaged in research, development, manufacture and sale of TFT LCDs and OLED displays.

In a statement, Casio Computer said it will contribute its knowhow and facilities related to small-sized and medium-sized TFT LCDs – the technology which is relevant to the driving of OLED displays, too.

Toppan Printing Company, on its part, is to contribute fabrication technologies based on printing methods. And, both Computer and Toppan Printing consider these fabrication technologies crucial in making OLED displays, the statement from Casio explained.

The new firm, to be formed by Casio Computer Company, has been planned to include all the facilities and personnel in Casio’s OLED development as well as small-sized and medium-sized TFT LCD business.

As per the agreement, the joint venture will also take over ownership of all shares in Kochi Casio Company Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Casio Computer Company.

Accordingly, 80 per cent of the shares in the new company will be transferred from Casio Computer Company to Toppan Printing Company on April 1, 2010 – the target date.