Heartbreaking, but they are a "survivor" company. They have lasted over 100 years, through a world war (including firestorm bombing), earthquakes, fires and tsunamis.
They had never been particularly big, until the 1990s, with the advent of point-and-shoot digital cameras.
That gravy train ended when the iPhone came out. They are probably contracting to their more traditional role, of Big Black Cameras, as well as some very good scientific optics.
They have some of the finest scientists and engineers in the world, as well as a gigantic portfolio of patents. They aren't going away.
From what I hear, the Thai do a great job, but it's still a big psychological shock to leave Japan. Their Japanese plants were considered the "top shelf" production facilities.