John,
as far as I have read at several websites and fora, it was Matsushita (who was the owner of Technics Electronic Musical Instruments) who decided to close down that part of the factory.
Due to the less sales in the global market and probably by see further continue of this trend, they desided to close the division down.
Matsushuta is a big company that also is tghe owner of Panasonic brand.

Several topics about it during the years, also this one:
http://www.synthzone.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/319852/Why_did_Panasonic_pull_out_of_