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Suwa Precision Instruments and Devices Industry

For more than 60 years since 1940s, Suwa region has seen the growth of its precision engineering industry.

• Suwa region was well-known in Japan up to 1910 for contributing 20% of Japan`s domestic silk spinning production.
• Suwa developed precision instruments and devices industry after WWII. From the innovative labs in Suwa, global manufacturers such as Seiko, Epson and Olympus grew followed by their many strong precision component and assembly suppliers such as Sankyo Seiki (now Nidec Sankyo world`s largest spindle motor manufacturer).
• Olympus Corporation (then Takachiho Optical Co., Ltd. established in 1919 Tokyo) established Suwa factory and Ina factory in Nagano in 1943 to make cameras. It has capitalized on its optical, precision manufacturing and supplier expertise to become a world leader in high tech endoscope manufacturing today.
• Seiko Epson (then Suwa Seiko-sha) was established in 1942 to make Seiko watches by Seiko Corporation (then Seiko-sha established in 1881 Tokyo). Seiko Epson and Epson (then Shinshu Seiki established in 1961) created many breakthrough precision manufacturing technologies to be a global leader in printer, semiconductors, LCD, precision component and optical products.
  • 1963 - Epson developed a thermo-variable condenser to control the crystal resonator temperature and a small low-power synchronous motor to successfully launch the world`s first portable, high-accuracy (+-0.2sec/day), battery-operated timer as official timekeeper for the Tokyo Olympic Games. 1969 - Seiko Epson introduced the world`s first quartz watch in 1969 by developing a miniature hybrid IC for wristwatches.
  • Applying the same watch-making technology, Epson developed a small high efficiency long-life motor and successfully built the world`s first compact lightweight digital printer EP-101 in 1968. Epson printer later captured 90% of the world`s printer market until the 1980s. Today, Epson dot-matrix printer, Epson inkjet printer, Epson laser printer and Epson scanner are industry leaders in terms of function, quality and speed.
  • Epson further developed its crystal resonator, CMOS IC and stepper motor technology which form the backbone of its quartz device and semiconductor business.

Suwa - The Oriental Switzerland

Within Japan, Suwa is called "The Oriental Switzerland" due to its Swiss resemblance for rich watch-making industry and its mountainous terrain. This miniature precision component making industry has indeed made many Suwa manufacturers important partners in product development and manufacturing for Japanese computer & electronic components, LCD, automotive parts, semiconductor process equipment, and optical devices.

Suwa has over 1000 precision manufacturing and research manufacturers supporting international Japanese manufacturers with ultra precision machining, optics, and other super-micro technological capabilities.

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Suwa is an excellent viewing point for Mt. Fuji, the Yatsugatake range, and the Japan Alps, and also boasts Kirigamine plateau, Takashima castle, Suwa Taisha Shrine and numerous other sightseeing spots that attract over 6,400,000 tourists every year.