In response, Fuji Photo implemented management reforms aimed at drastic transformation of its business structures. The new millennium witnessed the rapid spread of digital technology, and demand for photographic films plunged in line with the growing popularity of digital cameras. On January 30, 1998, the WTO announced a "sweeping rejection of Kodak's complaints" about the film market in Japan. The complaint was lodged by the US with the World Trade Organization. In May 1995, Kodak filed a petition with the US Commerce Department under section 301 of the Commerce Act arguing that its poor performance in the Japanese market was a direct result of unfair practices adopted by Fuji. By becoming one of the title sponsors of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics (an opportunity that Kodak passed on), offering cheaper camera film, and establishing a film factory in the US, Fuji gained considerable market share there, while Kodak had little success in penetrating Japan. Like its rival Eastman Kodak which dominated in the US, Fuji Photo enjoyed a longtime near-monopoly on camera film in Japan. Fujifilm's systems were marketed and sold under the FCR brand. As a result, it invented computed radiography (CR), which solved a number of issues of traditional radiography, resulting a decrease of radiation exposure to both technician and patient. Meanwhile, Fuji Photo developed digital technologies for its photo-related, medical and printing businesses. In the 1980s, Fuji Photo expanded its production and other bases overseas, stepping up the pace of its business globalization. through a joint venture.įrom the mid-1950s, Fuji Photo accelerated the establishment of overseas sales bases.
In 1962, Fuji Photo and UK-based Rank Xerox Limited (now Xerox Limited) launched Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. After the Second World War, Fuji Photo diversified, penetrating the medical (X-ray diagnosis), printing, electronic imaging and magnetic materials fields. In the 1940s, Fuji Photo entered the optical glasses, lenses and equipment markets. Over the following 10 years, the company produced photographic films, motion-picture films and X-ray films. was established in 1934 as a subsidiary of Daicel with the aim of producing photographic films. Both were replaced with the current logo in 2006.įuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
The "Fuji" logo on the left was introduced in 1980, while the "Fujifilm" wordmark on the right was introduced in 1992.