Koden

Dawn of Koden and "Radio Direction Finders"

Koden Electronics was founded in 1947, two years after World War II, by Yoji Ito, Doctor of Engineering, whose position was pivotal at the Naval Technical Research Department as a captain of the former Japanese Imperial Navy, with his hope to make a peaceful contribution in superb technologies cultivated in his naval days to the world. For Japan and its people, this new era was a restart from "nothing". The whole country was suffering from shortages in practically everything, and the most crucial of all, obviously, was the shortage of food. Koden's unique radio direction finders were welcomed as an epoch-making modern equipment enabling an increased catch, at the same time providing safer navigation. It spread quickly through the fishing industry and beyond. It is said that this equipment has made a considerable contribution to the modernization of the Japanese fishing industry.
A great number of researchers and engineers gathered in pursuit of room for free research and development around the founder and president of the company who had studied in Germany in his young days, bringing about a lot of creative products.

Marine Electronics Products

Koden introduced persistent technical innovation, such as transistors, integrated circuits, computers, and color visualization, into its products ahead of competitors, releasing a large number of epoch-making products one after another on the market. These products include CRT-type automatic radio direction finder; Japan’s first, all-Japanese made, Loran A receiver; synchronized sonar; the world-first color echo sounder and marine color radar; and Loran C receiver which achieved domination of the Japanese market as well as the U.S. market. Koden's products are also highly evaluated in the seas of the world. 
The company has received many national and public grants as well as medals and citations for its outstanding achievement. Koden's radar was the first marine electronics product to be given "G-Mark" certificate for good design in Japan. In addition, Koden had been developing GPS devices for marine use even before the full number of satellites were launched into orbit.

Industrial Electronics Products and Network Products

Koden has placed its name in the history of computers in Japan. As early as in 1957, Koden had constructed a prototype computer that incorporated Parametrons, instead of vacuum tubes. In 1960, it developed a scientific computer, model KODIC-401. This traditional digital technology has also borne fruit in the field of communication network.
Koden's years of experience in both technology in information signal processing and technology in measurement of position, distance, and depth being used in the harsh oceans are now being combined. To name a few, "Ground Penetrating Radar" has become well-known for examining pyramids in Egypt, and "Ultrasonic Drilling Monitor for Construction" is being used in hi-tech construction sites. "Laser Docking Ranger" and "Land Based Radio Monitoring System" are also created in exchange and combination with "SWAT".

Roles and Responsibilities Imposed on "Technology"

It seems to be quite difficult to estimate whether the 21st century will be an era of continual advancement and development or a time of chaos and indecisiveness. What is clear, however, is that the mistakes of the 20th century must not be repeated. In order to avoid situations which can cause ecological disasters as soon as possible and to coexist with nature, "Technology" should be governed with assured intelligence and sensibility. Currently, it is believed that the roles imposed on "Technology" are greater than ever and responsibilities are much heavier. 

Koden, a company "born and bred" in the ocean, is now moving energetically forward with fulfillment of the roles and the responsibilities imposed on "Technology" as an electronics firm having rich contact with the earth and communication with satellites.