Sony plans to invest about 50 billion yen ($623.5 million) in Olympus, forming a capital and business tie-up and becoming the top shareholder in the medical equipment and camera maker with a 10 percent stake. Sony and Olympus will discuss details of the alliance with an aim to reach an agreement by the end of July, the sources said. Olympus will also collaborate with the major Japanese electronics maker in the field of medical equipment and digital cameras.
Panasonic which had been seen as the leading candidate for an alliance with Olympus has apparently decided against investing in the firm.