TOKYO: Japan's Hitachi Ltd plans to buy US software company Global Logic for $9.6 billion, the Nikkei business daily reported on Wednesday.

Shares in Hitachi fell 4% after the report, which came after a series of divestitures by the conglomerate, including sales of its chemical unit and a diagnostic imaging business.

Recent media reports have also said it is discussing a sale of Hitachi Metals Ltd.