TOKYO, Sep. 14, 2009 (Kyodo News International) --
(Editors: TO BE LED)

Hitachi Ltd., NEC Corp., and Casio Computer Co. said Monday they have agreed to integrate their mobile phone operations next April as they seek to raise their global competitive edge in the face of a saturated domestic market.

NEC will integrate its mobile phone business with a joint venture founded by Casio and Hitachi (NYSE:HIT) , called Casio Hitachi Mobile Communications Co., and invest 70.74 percent in the new merged entity. Casio will take a 20 percent stake while Hitachi will take the remaining 9.26 percent, the three companies said.