In an effort to increase its market share, Apple Japan Inc has reorganized itself into four groups across its five divisions, according to the Nikkei Daily News. The restructuring does not mean job cuts, though. Each of the four groups will target separate markets, such as consumers and businesses, with each division separately designing and marketing products. Of the five divisions, two will concentrate on marketing and customer support. The company has also closed an Osaka office and merged three Tokyo offices into its headquarters. On June 1, Apple Japan absorbed the Japanese unit of Next Software Inc which parent Apple Computer Inc completed the acquisition of back in February (CI No 3,098). Despite Apple’s announced cutbacks of 30% of its workforce (CI No 3,121), Apple Japan will maintain its 270 employees, considering that number necessary to support annual sales of about $1.8bn.
