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FUJIKURA ODYSSEY

In the 120 years since its foundation in 1885,
Fujikura has been constantly challenging itself technically, introducing a host of original products to markets throughout the world.
The success of its engineers has represented great achievements in the history of technical development, realizing global-scale feats one after another.
Here we explore the background of the technological capabilities that Fujikura has inherited to date.

FUJIKURA ODYSSEY vol.01

Mariana Trench Roman

Development of Cable for 10,000 m-class Remotely Operated Vehicle "KAIKO"

For more than 120 years, Fujikura has been manufacturing wires and cables that make up the main artery of energy transmission. In particular, the "undersea cable," a key component in the stable supply of electricity, continues to attract attention as a major project due to its scale, high level of technical difficulty, laying complexity and, above all, its significance as a mission to assist society. Fujikura has also played a leading role in a number of other major projects at home and abroad. Being highly valued for such experience, Fujikura participated in the development project for "KAIKO" ("trench"), an unmanned deep-sea research vehicle that enables underwater depths of 10,000 m (the deepest location on Earth). We were responsible for the development of the primary cable that connects the mother ship and the launcher and the secondary cable that connects the launcher and the child vehicle, and other such cables for marine development. Here, we trace Fujikura's Mariana Trench Roman story, looking at the technological challenges of an unprecedented realm.

FUJIKURA ODYSSEY vol.02

NO.1 World Market Share

"Optical Fiber Fusion Splicer" Development Story

As the optical fiber network continues to spread on a global scale at a rate unsurpassed, Fujikura has played the leading role in the area of various optical-related devices, including optical fiber. In particular, as with the "fusion splicer" essential for connecting optical fibers, the Company maintains the No. 1 market position with its share exceeding 50%. Our efforts toward the development of the "fusion splicer" started at almost the same time as research & development of optical fibers and was truly a decision symbolizing the challenging sprit of Fujikura. While the trials to create from zero an unprecedented device presented an incessant series of hardships, we at last completed a machine that could be called an invention of Fujikura. Here, we would like to trace the challenges in the Company's survival … going back to a time before Fujikura achieved the No. 1 world market share.

FUJIKURA ODYSSEY vol.03

A Gift From God

Development of "Ultra Low Attenuation Optical Fiber", the Symbol of Fujikuraism

Development of "Ultra Low Attenuation Optical Fiber", the Symbol of Fujikuraism Now, the world is in the midst of building a notable change in history with the IT revolution. We can no longer stop the flow of such history, one that has greatly changed people's daily lives, not to mention the industry. What ignited this IT revolution was the development of optical fiber. Fujikura contributed a great deal to the technological evolution of optical fiber cables that enable large volume transmissions of data. Its progress was filled with incessant challenges and creation. And finally, Fujikura achieved a global accomplishment that later motivated the IT revolution. Here, we trace the development of an optical fiber developed by Fujikura that has been so highly praised as being described as a "A gift from God."

FUJIKURA ODYSSEY vol.04

A Microcosm of Technological Innovation

The story behind the development of flexible print circuits, the key driver of the evolution of electronics

「The story behind the development of flexible print circuits, the key driver of the evolution of electronics」 Within the interior of electronic devices such as digital cameras, computers and digital home appliances, dramatic technological improvements are constantly taking place. Electronic circuits are becoming finer and finer pitched and more able to perform an ever-widening range of functions. They are a microcosm of technological development. The key enabler of this technological advancement is the flexible print circuit (FPC). Fujikura entered the FPC market in 1979. Although a relative late- comer, in the intervening time Fujikura has grown, overcoming many challenges and obstacles to realize a number of big FPC-related projects. Fujikura has been on a journey of striving to create a new core technology. What follows is the story behind Fujikura's development of FPC products, which is also the story of the growth of one of the main players in the history of technological development and an emerging powerhouse that may well redefine the future of electronics.

FUJIKURA ODYSSEY vol.05

Superconductivity Revolution

World's First "Yttrium-based Oxide Superconducting Wires" Development Story

It will soon be 100 years since the phenomenon of "superconductivity" was first discovered. Attempts to put superconductivity to practical use began in the 1960s, and the competition in development of superconductivity materials has been fought around the world since then. Fujikura joined in the development of superconducting wires in the late 1980s. Since then, Fujikura has produced a succession of epochal results and contributed to the technological evolution of superconductivity, although the company started late. The following pages reflect the progress of the attempts and creation by Fujikura, which has made an imprint on the history of the superconductivity revolution with many miraculous breakthroughs.

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