Completes construction of TFT LCD plant in Tenri, Nara

Markets XH-L100, the world's first HDTV LCD projector

Markets 9E-HC1, the world's first wall-mount LCD TV

Markets RE-SE1, the world's first sensor microwave oven with one-touch cooking convenience

Markets CJ-A30/A31 pocket cordless phones

Markets ES-B750, the world's first washing machine to use air bubbles to wash clothes

Markets WD-SD70, the industry's first word processor with a pivoting large-screen LCD

Establishes Sharp Electronics Benelux B.V. (SEB) as sales base in the Netherlands

Constructs Makuhari Building in Chiba

Markets 36C-SE1, an HDTV at just a million yen, putting HDTV within reach of the average household

Develops world's largest 17-inch color TFT LCD

Markets WV-S200, a compact, high-performance word processor with pen-based operation

Establishes Shanghai Sharp Air-Conditioning Systems Co., Ltd. (SSAC) as joint manufacturing and sales company in China

Establishes Sharp Electronic Components (Taiwan) Corporation (SECT) as sales base in Taiwan

Establishes Sharp Thebnakorn Manufacturing (Thailand) (STTM) as manufacturing base in Thailand

Markets ES-BE65 fully automatic washing machine that uses approx. 30% less detergent and water than conventional units

Markets VL-HL1 LCD ViewCam, an innovative camcorder that allows the user to view images on the LCD monitor while shooting