Sony said it will “place the highest priority on curtailing risk and securing profits” in its Mobile Communications business, with reports indicating that a sale of the business is an option it would consider.

In a statement, the company indicated that this unit, along with its TV operation, “operate in markets characterised by high volatility and challenging competitive landscapes”.

Noting “intense competition and commoditisation”, Sony said it will “strive to further increase the added value of its products by leveraging its in-house technologies and component devices”.

It also said that it will look to “limit its capital investment and establish a business structure capable of securing stable profits” by “carefully selecting the territories and products areas it targets”.

In addition, it said it will “continue to explore potential alliances with other companies in these areas, in response to changes in the business landscape”.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Kazuo Hirai, chief executive of Sony, said that with regard to a potential sale of the Mobile and TV units, “I think we have to keep these possibilities in mind”.

The ailing Japanese giant has already announced a significant number of job cuts in its Mobile unit, as part of a reorganisation focused on achieving profitability.

This has seen it cutting its China-specific activities and rationalising its mid-tier portfolio.

Sony said that its Devices (components), Game and Network Services, Pictures and Music units will be “the segments that will drive its profit growth over the next three years”. It said its Imaging Products and “Video & Sound” units will focus on “steady profit and positive cash flow”, against a lack of overall market growth.