April 21, 2025 /SemiMedia/ — Yageo has raised its offer for Japan’s Shibaura Electronics to ¥5,400 per share, a 25.6% increase from its previous proposal and higher than the ¥4,500 bid made by MinebeaMitsumi earlier this month. The move escalates a takeover battle for a key player in advanced temperature sensor technology.

Shibaura is a global leader in precision thermistors, essential for electric vehicles, industrial robots, wind turbines and hybrid cars — making it a strategic target in the semiconductor-adjacent sensor segment.

Yageo first announced its intent to acquire all of Shibaura’s shares in February and has expressed a willingness to proceed unilaterally if necessary, with a tender offer set to begin on May 7. Founder and Chairman Pierre Chen reiterated the company’s determination, despite Shibaura’s current support for the rival bid.

MinebeaMitsumi launched its competing tender on April 10, positioning itself as a white knight to keep Shibaura’s advanced sensor technology under Japanese ownership. Shibaura's board has endorsed that offer while rejecting Yageo’s.

Yageo said in a statement, “We believe we are the best partner to unlock Shibaura’s full growth potential, and we continue to seek approval from Shibaura’s board and special committee.”