Early 1960s
Japan became the world's largest producer of transistors
*** Industry Trends ***
Japan, which became the world's leading producer of germanium transistors in 1959 [1], introduced silicon transistor technology from the United States in the late 1950s and began production in 1960. Japanese companies, possessing an application market for consumer electronics like transistor radios, refined the quality control methods honed in germanium transistor production [2]. Toshiba, Hitachi, NEC, and Fujitsu expanded or built new factories, solidifying Japan's position as the world's top transistor producer. Combined with Japan's 1964 accession to the OECD, this further enhanced the international competitiveness of Japanese semiconductors.
【References】
- Semiconductor History museum of Japan, Industry Trends, "1959: Japan reaches No.1 in the production of germanium transistors"
https://www.shmj.or.jp/english/trends.html - Semiconductor History Museum of Japan, Industry Trends, "1960s: Japanese semiconductor manufacturers rigorously implemented quality-focused management"
https://www.shmj.or.jp/en/industry-trends/it196001e.html
Ver.001: 2026/2/1