JAPAN’S Toshiba Corp. said yesterday it plans to hold an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders March 24 where it will seek initial approval to hive off its devices business.

The final vote to determine whether to break up the 146-year-old conglomerate won’t happen until next year but the meeting will be an important gauge of shareholder support for the board’s restructuring plan, which has been criticized by some foreign hedge funds that own stakes in Toshiba.

One of the hedge funds, Singapore-based 3D Investment Partners, has submitted a separate proposal for the meeting, calling on Toshiba to explore other options and solicit buy-out offers from private equity firms and potential strategic buyers. (SD-Agencies)