Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical Co., the Japanese manufacturers of globally acclaimed pain reliever brand 'Salonpas', announced their decision to go private. The company believes this stratagem will allow them to focus more on research & development, circumventing short-term profit pressure from public trade. While the timeline remains unclarified, the shift indicates a new chapter in Hisamitsu's governance.

In Japan, privatization is considered a tactical business move for companies seeking to negate public trading pressures. It generally ensues a backdrop of trust, as Japanese society highly esteems harmony and dedicated service. However, this switch can also trigger anxiety among investors and employees due to uncertainty about future corporate plans and job security.

In the US or EU, business privatization is quite common, particularly for evolving or restructuring firms. Oftentimes, companies view privatization as a means to concentrate on long-term strategic objectives rather than quarterly earnings. Reactions can be mixed depending on communication transparency, economic climate, and investor sentiment.