Prøve GULL - Gratis
My battery is smaller and more powerful than yours: TDK's chief is chasing the ultimate power brag
The Straits Times
|August 24, 2025
Wearables set to power next growth surge for world's largest maker of smartphone batteries.

If you came across the name Tokyo Denki Kagaku Kogyo KK, chances are it would mean nothing to you unless you were Japanese, or had a special interest in the country's industry. Say "TDK" though, and your eyes would light up if you are of the right age. In the pre-digital era, TDK dominated the market for recording cassettes.
Odd things happen in the technology world. Ajinomoto was once known for its monosodium glutamate, a taste-enhancing chemical compound better known as MSG. These days, it is applying aminoscience to innovate faster semiconductors with lower environmental impact.
TDK is on a similar track. It still has world-leading magnetic technology - a legacy of the recording cassettes, which used a magnetic coating on a film base. But where once its principal clients were secretaries taking dictation, journalists chronicling comments from sources and the general public storing music, TDK, believe it or not, is today the world's largest maker of batteries for smartphones. It also is a top sensor producer and a significant player in the electric vehicle industry.
In its own way, therefore, the company has come to be as vital to modern manufacturing as American multinational 3M, the maker of Scotch tape and industrial adhesives. In the year to March 31, TDK Corp reported a record operating profit of 173 billion yen (S$1.5 billion) on net sales of 2.1 trillion yen.
I recently had the opportunity to meet Mr Noboru Saito, TDK's president and chief executive officer since 2022 and a law graduate who as a college student applied to join the then cassette maker after watching a commercial starring music legend Stevie Wonder.
With TDK slated to spend 254 billion yen on research and development in its fiscal year 2025, I was curious to hear from the 36-year company veteran about what lay ahead as the firm approached its centenary year.
Denne historien er fra August 24, 2025-utgaven av The Straits Times.
Abonner på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av kuraterte premiumhistorier og over 9000 magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
FLERE HISTORIER FRA The Straits Times

The Straits Times
Monster: The Ed Gein Story unmasks killer who inspired Psycho
Back in the 1970s, when American writer and producer Ryan Murphy was eight, his parents left him to babysit his little brother.
4 mins
October 15, 2025

The Straits Times
JUMBO LEGEND SECOND TO NONE
Oct 15 Hong Kong Happy Valley) form analysis
5 mins
October 15, 2025
The Straits Times
MRT, bus fares for adults to increase by up to 10 cents from Dec 27
Train and bus fares for adult passengers will increase by nine or 10 cents a journey, depending on the distance travelled, as overall public transport fares climb by 5 per cent.
8 mins
October 15, 2025

The Straits Times
TACKLING HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
Aerobics, strength training and isometric exercises can help manage hypertension if done safely
7 mins
October 15, 2025

The Straits Times
S'pore firms have invested $5.5b in Johor since SEZ pact
Economic zone complements Republic's industrial transformation efforts: DPM Gan
3 mins
October 15, 2025
The Straits Times
IS THERE TOO MUCH SPORT?
In this series, The Straits Times takes a deep dive into the hottest sports topic or debate of the hour. From Lamine Yamal’s status as the next big thing to the burgeoning popularity of pickleball, we'll ask The Big Question that will set you thinking, and talking.
7 mins
October 15, 2025

The Straits Times
Princess Sirivannavari designs gown for Mariah Carey's Bangkok concert
American music diva Mariah Carey concluded her Bangkok concert in spectacular fashion, blending musical grandeur with the promotion of Thailand's soft power.
1 mins
October 15, 2025
The Straits Times
Statement has to be made in country's interests: Shanmugam
cause PAS cares for Singaporeans?
4 mins
October 15, 2025
The Straits Times
Insurance claims • Balance of power skewed in insurers' favour
The court's award of damages to Mr Jonathan Ko is a triumphant victory for an ordinary person against a corporate giant that had acted unreasonably or even callously to deny its obligations. (Court awards over $417k in accident claim, lashes NTUC Income for 'wholly unreasonable' conduct; Oct 1).
1 min
October 15, 2025

The Straits Times
What's coopetition? German lessons for Singapore's start-up scene
A university study trip offers insights into creating research and innovation hubs, and leveraging Al.
5 mins
October 15, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size