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Japanese Pioneers

Tadayuki Takei

Tadayuki Takei

Tadayuki Takei was born in Tokyo in 1910. After graduation from Tokyo College of Commerce (presently Hitotsubashi University), he went to work for Wakabayashi Shohten in 1933. Moving to Hitachi, Ltd. in 1937, he subsequently served as manager of the electron tubes department in the communications business division (1954), general manager of the electronic components business group (1962), executive managing director and general manager of the electronics business division (1969), and president of Hitachi Kiden Kogyo, Ltd. (1972). He was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, fourth class, in 1980.

With transistors entering mass production in Japan in the 1950s, he led the sales campaign of Hitachi’s semiconductor group and guided Hitachi to a top position within the field in Japan. Always placing great emphasis on the concept of “market-orientation,” he exercised his leadership in development, mass production and sales whenever a new market was opening. Hitachi preceded its competitors in commercializing dot–mesa transistors for FM radios, transistors for operation at ultra-high frequencies and power transistors for use in the fully transistorized color TV (nicknamed “Pompa”), LSI circuits for electronic calculators, and more. Hitachi is highly indebted to Takei’s managerial skills for the large market shares won by these products.

By playing a vital role as a representative of the semiconductor industry in promoting joint initiatives between the Ministry of International Trade and Industry and the private sector of the day, he made a very substantial contribution to the development of semiconductors in Japan. His character was described as dynamic, compassionate, and strict, the combination of qualities needed to educate the young and produce lots of talented personnel. He passed away at the age of 96 with the admiration of many, naturally among colleagues from the company, but extending well beyond this.

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