The Life of Zenpachi

Watermill era (hometown: Sano, Tochigi Prefecture)

Zenpachi was born in Ueno Village, Tochigi Prefecture (now Sano City), in the Funatsu River, a triangular area between the Watarase River and its tributary, the Akiyama River. The Fujikura family owned a large amount of farmland, but due to frequent floods, the harvest decreased year by year. His father, Kumakichi, sales timber and worked in the shipping business in addition to farming, but the family fortunes did not improve.
Zenpachi eventually started a rice milling business using a waterwheel in "Numabata", but the business was not as profitable as it was prosperous, and he was hit by disasters. Zenpachi made up his mind, and when the contract for the waterwheel rights expired, he moved to Tokyo in search of a new life. It was 1875 (Meiji 8), and Zenpachi was 33 years old.

Moving to Tokyo - Founding

Since his arrival in Tokyo in 1875 (Meiji 8), Zenpachi's life has been a series of struggles. The steam engine purchased with the intention of using steam power in the rice milling industry was defect, and the lawsuit took three years, and business failed. The next few business didn't work either.
In 1881 (Meiji 14), he moved to 1-1 Kanda-Awaji-cho, which brought him good luck. Zenpachi's wife, Ine, receives instruction from a craftsman in a neighboring house to help the family and begins to make "nekake" as a handmaiden. Eventually, it became the work of the Zenpachi family. At first, one braiding machine was operated by his wife Ine from morning until 10 o'clock at night, and then Zenpachi ran it all night and handed it over to Ine the next morning. After that, the number of craftsmen increased, and the rented house on 2-chome was used as a factory, and it was operated day and night.
In 1884 (Meiji 17), Zenpachi devised a round-shaped netkake. The new product was named "Ichikawa Kake" and asked Danjuro Ichikawa, the ninth generation of famous kabuki actors at the time, to scatter hundreds of them every day in the audience. It became popular, and orders flooded in from all over the country. And the profits became the financial background for Zenpachi's Electric Wire business.

Electric Wire manufacturing- Eyes Gazing at the Arc Lamp -

"Kaku Shrine"- Fujikura's guardian deity -

Fujikura regards Kaku Shrine as the company's guardian deity. The origin of this legend is that the Ogyu residence was located in Kanda Awajicho 1-chome, where Zenpachi lived, and Kaku Shrine was enshrined there. In 1872 (Meiji 5), the shrine was moved to a villa in Hongo, and the sacred coral tree was given to a nearby construction worker.
Zenpachi became deeply reverent of Kaku Shrine, and as Kanda-Awajicho was the birthplace of the company, he requested that the shrine be separated and made the guardian deity of Fujikura. At the same time, he also received a coral tree, which he transported in a decorated oxcart to the Sendagaya Plant and made it a sacred tree.

The history of Fujikura begins

Fujikura's history began in February 1885, when the company's founder, Zenpachi Fujikura, embarked on manufacturing silk and cotton winding lines, just as the dawn of Japan's electric wires business was breaking. In his hometown of Funatsugawa, Ueno-mura (now Sano-shi), Tochigi Prefecture, he was engaged in rice milling using a water wheel in addition to farming, but in 1875 (Meiji 8), he moved to Tokyo and settled in Kanda Myojinshita. Zenpachi was 33 years old. He moved to 1-1 Awaji-cho, Kanda, and in 1881 (Meiji 14), he started manufacturing a company called "Nekake" from a cottage industry started by his wife Ine. Zenpachi was a progressive and enterprising man with a strong entrepreneurial spirit, and his ingenuity and ingenuity resulted in a rush of orders for "nekake" from all over the country.
The common people of Tokyo saw electric lights when the first demonstration was held in Ginza in 1882 (Meiji 15). The second demonstration was held on Nihonbashi-dori in November of the following year, 1883, and attracted a record number of spectators. Among the large crowd were Zenpachi Fujikura and his 16-year-old brother Tomekichi, who had just arrived in Tokyo. Zenpachi's experience that night sparked his interest in electricity, and he later embarked on electric wire business because of the similarity between netsuke and wire sheath braiding techniques.

Tomekichi Fujikura (later the first president) travels to the United States

He moved to Tokyo in 1883 (Meiji 16). He settled in his older brother Zenpachi's home and helped out at the busy factory while attending Chinese and English schools. In July 1886 (Meiji 19), Tomekichi left for the United States at the age of 19, determined to learn about new cultures overseas. In the United States, he worked during the day and studied English at night. He returned to Japan in July 1890 (Meiji 23). In 1890 (Meiji 23), he was adopted into the Matsumoto family.

Kanda Awajicho Factory

In February 1885 (Meiji 18), they started manufacturing silk and cotton-wrapped wire at 1-1 Awajicho, Kanda. They had 12 employees, including Fujikura Zenpachi, his wife Ine, and Fujikura (later Nakauchi) Harukichi. Their home and factory had three rooms (10, 8, and 6 tatami mats), of which the factory section was a 10-tatami mat room with wooden flooring, which was later expanded to three rooms. They also rented a house in 2-chome, which they called the "2-chome Factory." The braiding machines were operated by hand, so one person was assigned to each machine.
Soon the factory became busy and was operating day and night. The equipment consisted of one large wooden braiding machine measuring 60cm square, and five small iron braiding machines. manufacturing silk and cotton-wrapped cords, roots, and cords for haori.

Shinjuku Factory

In April 1888 (Meiji 21), the company leased a silk mill on the Imperial Household Ministry grounds (Shinjuku Gyoen) and opened the Shinjuku Factory. A waterwheel was located in a small stream drawn from the Tamagawa Canal, and the factory used its power. The factory consisted of two wooden, tiled, brick-paved buildings (15m x 32m) on either side of the waterwheel. The company had eight braiding machines, 20 electric wire braiding machines, and five to six employees. The company began manufacturing Tokyo wire and paraffin wire lamp cord. The company also began research into rubber wire.

Sendagaya Factory

Sendagaya Factory ①

In September 1890 (Meiji 23), the company purchased land owned by the Kishu Tokugawa family at 900 Sendagaya and built a new factory. There was also a waterwheel that used the Tamagawa Aqueduct, and it was larger and more powerful. The waterwheel powered rubber rollers, and manufacturing of rubber wire began. At the time, there were no domestically produced rubber wires, and expensive foreign products were the only ones used. It was said that "he who controls rubber controls electric wires," and the perfection of rubber-coated wires was the long-cherished wish of electric wire companies. The factory site was 330 sq. m, and the waterwheel was 5.4 m in size.

Sendagaya Factory②

Zenpachi needed to quickly begin mass production of rubber wire, but did not have a steam engine for mass production. Fortunately, within the same address, there was a silk reeling factory that had been closed due to poor business performance, but which had a steam engine and a powerful waterwheel. The factory site was 3,200m2, which was too large for the time, but Zenpachi decided to purchase it, anticipating the future. This made it possible to carry out all processes for rubber wire production within one factory, and manufacturing capacity increased dramatically. The main products were Tokyo wire and paraffin wire, and the company was struggling to improve the quality of rubber-coated wire. The following month, in July, Zenpachi sent his nephew, Okada Kenzo, to the United States to learn rubber-coated wire technology. Okada Kenzo returned to Japan in August 1900 (Meiji 33), and played a crucial role in terms of technology. In 1901 (Meiji 34), the Fujikura Electric Wire and Rubber Partnership Company was established. In 1910 (Meiji 43), due to the need to expand the scale of the electric wire business, the company was renamed Fujikura Electric Wire Co., Ltd.

Tomekichi Matsumoto, first president

Born on November 28, 1868 (Meiji era) in Ueno Village, Tochigi Prefecture (now Sano City) Funatsu River. He is the youngest brother of the founder, Zenpachi Fujikura. In 1890 (Meiji 23), after returning from the United States, he inherited the "Matsumoto family" and ran a Western-style furniture store in Yokohama, while moving to Tokyo to help his brother Zenpachi in research on rubber-coated wires. Later, Zenpachi asks Rukichi to devote himself to the business of electric wires. In May 1901 (Meiji 34), Ruyoshi disposed of the Western-style furniture store, accepted Zenpachi's request, and moved to Tokyo. In October of that year, Zenpachi died. As his successor, Ruyoshi made Zenpachi's private company a company organization, and on October 25, 1901 (Meiji 34), he established the Fujikura Electric Wire Protection Partnership Company and became its representative Fujikura employee. Thanks to Ruyoshi's energetic efforts after that, the electric wire business continued to develop, and the "Fujikura of technology" was established. On March 18, 1910 (Meiji 43), the electric wire business was separated due to the need to expand the electric wire business, and Fujikura Electric Wire Co., Ltd. was born. Ruyoshi is 43 years old. In 1903 (Meiji 36), the factory was completely destroyed by a whirlwind, and in 1923 (Taisho 12), the Fukagawa factory was burned down by the Great Kanto Earthquake. In 1938 (Showa 13), there were 45 companies related to President Matsumoto Rukichi. On March 24, 1938 (Showa 13), Rukichi Matsumoto died, aged 71.

The four people who supported President Tomekichi Matsumoto

Fukagawa factory burned down

On September 1, 1923 (Taisho 12), the Great Kanto Earthquake struck the newly completed Fukagawa Factory. The damage was minor, with only the chimney being broken, but that night a fire broke out in Susaki Bentencho and spread, completely burning down the Fukagawa Factory.

Fukagawa Factory Renovation

President Matsumoto Tomekichi responded quickly. Using the facilities of the undamaged Sendagaya Factory, the company was able to quickly restore operations, with three machine tools up and running by the second day. Electric wires in stock were sold like hotcakes as emergency supplies, raising funds for the restoration.

Shinta Matsumoto, 2nd President

In March 1938 (Showa 13), upon the death of President Tomekichi Matsumoto, his eldest son, Shinta Matsumoto, became the second president. Soon after assuming his position, the new president established Fujikura Chemical Industries (now Fujikura Kasei) and Fujikura Aviation Industries (now Fujikura Air Equipment), while also making many improvements to employee welfare. He was generous in his support and understanding of the cultural and physical education activities of his employees. He especially loved baseball, and led the baseball team he founded to evolve from amateur baseball and win the 12th (1938) and 13th (1939) Intercity Baseball Tournament. This was also a time when the shadow of war was growing stronger.
On March 10, 1945 (Showa 20), as Japan was losing the war, the Fukagawa Factory was completely destroyed in the Great Tokyo Air Raid, resulting in many casualties. After that, President Shinta resumed production in September, despite the severe shortage of copper and other materials, and achieved postwar reconstruction.

Baseball club launched

It was created in 1923 (Taisho 12) by President Arata Matsumoto, who was then General Affairs Manager. The newly created uniform was burned in the earthquake.
In 1925 (Taisho 14), a field was built next to the factory. Practices were held from 4:00 p.m. after work, and games were only held on holidays.

Intercity Baseball Championship

As a representative of Tokyo City, the team won the 12th tournament in 1938 (Showa 13) thanks to pitcher Doi's outstanding performance. The following year, the team participated in the 13th tournament and won consecutive championships thanks to pitcher Yoshida's excellent pitching. This period was the golden age of the baseball team.

Numazu Factory (Numazu, Shizuoka)

The Fuji Factory, which was established in 1944 (Showa 19) as a war evacuation factory, moved surviving machinery from the Fukagawa Factory, which was destroyed in the Great Tokyo Air Raid, and operated as a rubber wire factory. However, as it was originally housed in a rented paper mill, there were many problems with both layout and efficiency as an electric wire factory. Therefore, the Fuji Factory was relocated to Numazu, and began operations as the Numazu Factory in July 1953 (Showa 28). Initial products included bare copper wire, aluminum wire, rubber-insulated wire, and plastic wire. The Numazu Factory would go on to produce a variety of technologies and products that continue to support business foundation.

Sakura Factory (Sakura City, Chiba Prefecture)

The idea of building a third factory after the Fukagawa and Numazu factories came about in 1960 (Showa 35), during the height of the Iwato boom. With the expansion of product types and increasing orders surging, the construction of a modern factory to cope with this was an urgent need. Trial runs began in 1964 (Showa 39), and the Sakura Factory began full-scale operation the following year in 1965 (Showa 40), and during the period of high economic growth, it grew rapidly as a modern factory primarily focused on communication cables. The Sakura Factory continued to gain momentum thereafter, and the mass production of Optical Fiber, FPC (flexible printed circuit board) and electronic wire was added, as well as the development and manufacturing of Fusion Splicer, becoming the backbone of Fujikura.

Suzuka Factory (Suzuka City, Mie Prefecture)

In order to respond to the rapid increase in demand for electricity that occurred against the backdrop of the Izanagi boom that began in 1965, the company planned to build a factory dedicated to producing electric CV cables. At the time, Suzuka City in Mie Prefecture was eager to attract a factory, and the company negotiated with them, leading to the construction of the Suzuka Factory, its fourth factory, in 1970. manufacturing equipment was the most advanced at the time, and it was an advanced CV cable factory. Soon after the Suzuka Factory began operations, it received a succession of large orders and continued to operate at full capacity. It grew rapidly as a major base supporting Fujikura's electric power business.

Head Office Kasumigaseki Building

Japan's first skyscraper, the Kasumigaseki Building (36 floors above ground and 3 floors below ground), was completed in April 1968. Fujikura Electric Wire decided to move its head office to the Kasumigaseki Building and began operations on the 11th floor of the building.

Oil Crisis and Low Growth

In October 1973 (Showa 48), the Fourth Middle East War broke out. Arab oil-producing countries cut oil supplies to unfriendly countries, including Japan. The subsequent price surge subsided, but the economy slumped, and this had a major impact on the electric wire industry. The production environment changed drastically with raw material shortages, plummeting prices, and restrictions on electricity use, and demand for electric wires also plummeted. President Kino Arata declared a state of emergency at the beginning of 1974 (Showa 49) and proposed measures such as cost-cutting. Fujikura Electric Wire also sought to expand exports, and established two new business divisions, "Electrical Equipment and Materials" and "Overseas," to expand business related to electric wires.

Gotanda Fujikura Building

In October 1977 (Showa 52), the head office was moved from Kasumigaseki Building to Gotanda Fujikura Building (9 floors above ground, 1 floor below ground). Initially, it was built for rental buildings, but due to the recession, the expected tenants could not be found, so it was used as the head office of Fujikura.

Optical Fiber development

Fujikura has been working on Optical Fiber since 1970, and began joint development with Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Public Corporation in 1975. In 1976, they developed an extremely low-loss fiber using the MCVD method, and discovered that there was an extremely low-loss region on the long wavelength side (receiving the IEEE Best Paper Award). In 1980, they pioneered the development of an extremely low-OH fiber using the VAD method, a domestically developed technology, and the realization of this wide low-loss region led to the development of today's wavelength division multiplexing communications.

Fujikura Thailand Co., Ltd. established

Fujikura Thailand was established in Kingdom of Thailand in August 1984. It was the first locally incorporated company in Kingdom of Thailand. The following year, in 1985, the Plaza Accord led to a strong yen, which gave the company a boost, and the company benefited from the wave of a boom in investment, primarily from foreign capital. The company also experienced rapid growth as production shifted to electronic materials and optical-related components, and remains a central presence in Fujikura Group in Kingdom of Thailand to this day.

100th Anniversary business

To mark the 100th anniversary of the company's founding, the company adopted the new name "Fujikura" and establishment a new company emblem in an effort to create a corporate image that was not limited to electric wires. In addition, the company published its 100-year history, "Fujikura's 100-Year Journey," and establishment a new basic policy.

New Fukagawa head office building completed

In 1990, the head office building was completed. The head office was consolidated in Fukagawa, and a system was established whereby sales, technology, head office functions, etc. could be integrated to carry out business operations.

Company name change

On October 1, 1992, the company name was changed from Fujikura Electric Wire to Fujikura Ltd. Fujikura Electric Wire, which had been solely focused on electric wires for many years, was expanding into new business fields such as electronic materials and optical systems, and was gradually shedding its roots as an electric wire manufacturer. Under these circumstances, while strengthening its electric wire business, the company was also actively working to expand into new fields, marking the start of a new Fujikura that promoted a corporate image that was not limited to electric wires.

Futtsu Factory (Futtsu City, Chiba Prefecture)

In October 1992, the Futtsu Factory was constructed as a new base for manufacturing and development of power cables to replace the Fukagawa Factory, and began operations on the same day as the company name was changed. As power cables continue to become increasingly high voltage, large capacity, and long, the Futtsu Factory is a cutting-edge factory built to fully meet user needs as a manufacturing base for world-class ultra-high voltage CV cables, OF cables, and submarine cables.

The complex city "Fukagawa Gatharia" is born

The former Fukagawa factory site was redeveloped, and a new city called Fukagawa Gatharia was born in 2000. The historic area of Fukagawa is being redeveloped to create a vibrant town, with a complex that combines three functions: business, shopping, and amenities.

Fujikura to become a top global brand

We supplied Optical Fiber to the world, and our Fusion Splicer became the world's top brand. We also expanded into the electronics and electrical equipment field around the world, and our corporate structure changed from "Fujikura of Japan" to "Fujikura of the World."

120th anniversary since founding

The company celebrated its 120th anniversary in 2005. It establishment a new Corporate Philosophy, "MVCV (Mission, Vision, Core Values)."
A picture book titled "Flying Elephant" was produced as part of the commemorative business, and the company is using the book to communicate its new Corporate Philosophy to Fujikura employee.