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History of Fujitsu 1923-1949
First Steps: Telecommunications (1923-1949)
"Computers" is the first thing that comes to mind for many people when they think of Fujitsu. But since its foundation, Fujitsu has striven to strengthen the very fabric of society with its innovative information and communications technologies.
1923
Historical Events
- Great Kanto Earthquake destroys much of Tokyo's public infrastructure
Fujitsu Milestones
- Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd. and Siemens AG of Germany establish Fuji Electric Co., Ltd. to spur domestic production of generators and electric motors in Japan
1925
Historical Events
Fujitsu Milestones
- Fuji Electric begins importing and selling telephones and"step-by-step" automatic switching systems made by Siemens AG
1929
Historical Events
- Start of Great Depression
Fujitsu Milestones
1931
Historical Events
- Japan's Ministry of Post promotes domestic production of switching equipment
Fujitsu Milestones
1933
Fujitsu Milestones
- Fuji Electric delivers its first self-developed"step-by-step" automatic switching system to Ministry of Post
1934
Historical Events
Fujitsu Milestones
- Fuji Electric recognized by Japan's Ministry of Post as official manufacturer of"step-by-step" automatic switching systems
1935
Historical Events
Fujitsu Milestones
- Fuji Tsushinki Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (currently Fujitsu Limited) established as an offshoot of Fuji Electric's Communications Division (capitalized at 3 million yen with 700 employees)
Telephone advertisement in the 1930's
1937
Historical Events
Fujitsu Milestones
- Recognized by Japan's Ministry of Post as official manufacturer of non-loaded cable carrier devices
1938
Historical Events
Fujitsu Milestones
- Completes new plant in Kawasaki (now site of Kawasaki Research & Manufacturing Facilities). Relocates company from Fuji Electric's Kawasaki plant
New plant is completed in Kawasaki
1939
Historical Events
- Outbreak of Second World War
Fujitsu Milestones
- Ventures into radio transmission field
1940
Historical Events
Fujitsu Milestones
- Delivers Japan's first domestically produced"T-type" automatic switching system to Japanese Ministry of Post
- Starts production of power-line carrier devices
1942
Historical Events
Fujitsu Milestones
- Opens Suzaka plant for mass production of telephones and telecommunications devices
1945
Fujitsu Milestones
- At the end of WWII, Fuji Tsushinki's type 3 telephone set was approved as official telephone by Ministry of Post, and it helped restore Japan's telecommunications infrastructure devastated by the War.
Fuji type 3 telephone set (1945)
1946
Historical Events
- ENIAC, the world's first electronic computer, completed in U.S.A.
Fujitsu Milestones
- Establishes Tokyo Office as sales organization
1949
Historical Events
- Dodge Line
- Exchange rate is fixed at 360 yen to the dollar
- Hideki Yukawa is the first Japanese to win the Nobel Prize
Fujitsu Milestones
- Lists company's stock on the newly reopened Tokyo Stock Exchange
Related Topics
Product milestones
Fujitsu has inspired many of the enabling breakthroughs in information and communication technologies over the last century or so. Here you can find out more about the major product and development milestones that shaped company history.