History

The Murata story began in 1944, when Akira Murata (1921-2006) started Murata Manufacturing as a personal venture in Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi. A small factory of 150 m2 was opened in the center of Kyoto City starting the production of titanium-oxide ceramic capacitors, with heterodyne radios being the primary application for these products.

敏感地对应并超越时代的要求

1940s

Popularization of communication equipment following the commencement of public radio broadcasting

Electronic parts that age requested

In the chaotic period immediately following WWII, radio was about the only form of entertainment and information source available.
Super heterodyne radio with far superior performance compared with the conventional super-regeneration system rapidly became popular.

Murata’s tubular ceramic capacitor was used for temperature compensation in those radios.
Its dielectric material was titanium oxide. The electrode material was brushed on the surface. Its capacitance was 500 pF.

Temperature compensating capacitor

Temperature compensating capacitor


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left: In 1944, Murata Manufacturing was founded in Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City. Original headquarters building.
right: The poster of Murata in the early 1950's.
The logo on this poster seems to have been the prototype of our current logo.

right: The poster of Murata in the early 1950's. The logo on this poster seems to have been the prototype of our current logo.  left: In 1944, Murata Manufacturing was founded in Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City. Original headquarters building.

1950s

Popularization of black and white TVs, and expansion of the telegraph and telephone market

Electronic parts that age requested

A food shortage after the WWII prompted increased exploitation of marine resources. Thus, Japan became a fishery capital of the world.
Fish finders played a large role in this trend.

The piezoelectric resonator for the fish finder had the Langevin structure, where a piezoelectric disc type resonator made with barium titanate was sandwiched between two thick steel plates. It provided good response underwater up to a depth of 90 m.

Piezoelectric transducer for fish finders

Piezoelectric transducer for fish finders

The first transistor radios hit the market in 1955.
The basic trend of seeking downsizing and portability for household electronic equipment was set by this event.

Murata commercialized AM radio ceramic filters, using lead zirconium titanate, an excellent piezoelectric material. It took 10 more years for this product to penetrate the market, however.

Ceramic filter(SF455)

Ceramic filter(SF455)


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In 1952, the head office and plant were moved to Yamashina, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City.

In 1952, the head office and plant were moved to Yamashina, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City.

In 1955, Murata’s research division became Omiya Technology Research Laboratory Company.
(Later, it was moved to Nagaokakyo City as Murata Technology Research Laboratory Co.)

In 1955, Murata’s research division became Omiya Technology Research Laboratory Company. (Later, it was moved to Nagaokakyo City as Murata Technology Research Laboratory Co.)

1960s

The commencement of color television broadcasts and the economic boom experienced during the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo led to an expansion of demand for electronic components

Electronic parts that age requested

Color TVs appeared in the market right before the largest post-war event, the Tokyo Olympics.

A PTC thermistor was used in the degaussing circuits of color TVs.
When the switch is turned on, a strong surge of electric current activates degaussing, directly followed by self-generation of heat, limiting the current flow.
Ceramic filters were also improved by having higher frequency and integration, and became a hit.

Degaussing POSISTOR,

Degaussing POSISTOR,

Ceramic filter(SFC4.5)

Ceramic filter(SFC4.5)


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In 1962, Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress Showa visited Fukui Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

In 1962, Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress Showa visited Fukui Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

1970s

CB transceiver boom in the United States, domestic AV equipment and car phones, and expansion of the information equipment market

Electronic parts that age requested

It used to be a status symbol to make a phone call from a car.
However, the initial car phone systems were incredibly large.

When it was first developed, the main component of the system, the cavity resonance filter, filled up the trunk of a car. Introduction of GIGAFIL enabled considerable size reduction contributing to the future development of today`s mobile phones.

GIGAFIL, an antenna duplexer for Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Public Corporation’s (currently NTT) first generation mobile phone

GIGAFIL, an antenna duplexer for Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Public Corporation’s (currently NTT) first generation mobile phone


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In 1973, Murata Manufacturing Co., Inc. was established in Georgia, U.S.A.

In 1973, Murata Manufacturing Co., Inc. was established in Georgia, U.S.A.

1980s

Expansion of the AV equipment and information equipment market

Electronic parts that age requested

Since the advent of PCs, the boundary between office equipment and personal equipment became blurred. The world of communications continues to expand today.

As PCs gain popularity, Murata’s CERALOCK, ceramic resonator to determine a PC’s processing speed, and noise suppression component, ferrite beads, became big hits.

Three-terminal capacitor

Three-terminal capacitor

Ferrite beads

Ferrite beads

CERALOCK

CERALOCK

Headphone stereos became a fad. The downsizing of electronic components allowed full-scale stereo sound to fit in a pocket-sized player.

Chip multilayer ceramic capacitors became the mainstream, as surface mounted devices (SMD) on the substrate of equipment with downsizing demand, such as mobile audio equipment and video cameras.

Chip multilayer ceramic capacitor

Chip multilayer ceramic capacitor

Digitalization of audio equipment became complete through CD technology.

Murata’s active filter for audio equipment removes folding noise inherent in PCM audio.
It became indispensable for digital-age music.

Active filter

Active filter

The home video camera was another item that followed the downsizing trend.

Image stabilization function with piezoelectric vibrating gyroscope became essential in filming equipment.

Piezoelectric vibrating gyroscope

Piezoelectric vibrating gyroscope


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In 1983, Izumo Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. was established.

In 1983, Izumo Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. was established.

The Yasu Plant in Yasu-cho, Yasu-gun, Shiga in 1987 and the Yokohama R&D Center in 1988 were established to fortify Murata’s R&D capability.

The Yasu Plant in Yasu-cho, Yasu-gun, Shiga in 1987 and the Yokohama R&D Center in 1988 were established to fortify Murata’s R&D capability.

In 1988, Murata Electronics (Thailand), Ltd. was established in Thailand.

In 1988, Murata Electronics (Thailand), Ltd. was established in Thailand.

1990s

The miniaturization of mobile phones and popularization of personal computers led to the rapid expansion of the internet

Electronic parts that age requested

Downsizing and multiple functionalities were in especially strong demand for mobile phones.

To offer smaller size and more functions for mobile phones, it was essential to have compact handling of radio frequencies. This is where Murata’s GIGAFIL plays a significant part.

GIGAFIL, an antenna duplexer for digital mobile phone

GIGAFIL, an antenna duplexer for digital mobile phone


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Established production and sales company, Wuxi Murata Electronics Co., Ltd. at Wuxi, Jiangsu, China in 1994

Established production and sales company, Wuxi Murata Electronics Co., Ltd. at Wuxi, Jiangsu, China in 1994

2000s

Development of wireless technologies accelerated personal computer communications

Electronic parts that age requested

PC communication is quickly becoming more rapid and wireless.
The PHS card is a module to compactly congregate communication functions.

Bluetooth® technology is projected to become the key to a ubiquitous network society.
Murata pioneered the development of dedicated Bluetooth® modules.

PHS card

PHS card

Bluetooth RF module

Bluetooth® RF module


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MURATA BOY was demonstrated at “CEATEC JAPAN 2005” and received high acclaim in and out of Japan.

MURATA BOY was demonstrated at “CEATEC JAPAN 2005” and received high acclaim in and out of Japan.

2010s

Expansion of telecommunications field centered on smartphones

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Muluti-functionalization of smartphones

Development of multilayer ceramic capacitor in 0201 (0.25×0.125mm) size

Development of the world’s first inductor in 0201 size

Commercialization of hybrid multiplexer for smartphone wireless circuits


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2014 Development of Murata Cheerleaders

2017 Enhancement and reinforcement of battery business

2020s

Arrival of the 5G era and progress in vehicle electrification

Murata will continue to contribute to the growing trend toward multifunctionalization of electronic devices and the development of society as a result of such trends.