The Journey of FUJIGEN
1960 – Early Days
From a Cowshed to the World Stage
In May 1960, FUJIGEN was founded in the quiet countryside of Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture. With a modest capital of just one million yen, the company—originally named Fuji Gen Gakki Seizo Co., Ltd.—was established by Yutaka Mimura and Yuichiro Yokouchi. At the time, Yokouchi was a dairy farming advisor who sold three of his own cows to raise funds for the company. The first factory? A repurposed cowshed, where ten skilled craftsmen began building violins.
However, the founders soon recognized the greater potential of classical guitars and shifted the company’s direction. The name “Fuji” symbolized their strong ambition: to become the number one instrument maker in Japan.
In 1961, rising demand for classical guitars led to the construction of a new factory in Chikuma, Matsumoto. The company made a bold move into the electric guitar market in October 1962—just as the popularity of rock music was beginning to grow in Japan.
In 1964, Yokouchi traveled alone to the United States in pursuit of new sales channels. His visit proved timely. A year later, the American instrumental band The Ventures toured Japan, igniting an electric guitar boom across the country. Riding this momentum, FUJIGEN opened a new headquarters and factory in Yoshikawa-Hirata, Matsumoto in 1966, establishing a fully integrated in-house production system.
1970 –
After returning from the U.S., Yokouchi became president in 1969. The following year, he made a critical strategic decision: rather than pursue direct export, FUJIGEN would pivot to OEM manufacturing. This shift positioned the company as a trusted builder for some of the world’s leading guitar brands.
In the early 1970s, FUJIGEN expanded its lineup to include flat mandolins and banjos. In 1978, a joint venture with Roland Corporation led to the founding of Fuji Roland Co., Ltd., and the release of the world’s first guitar synthesizer.
1980 –
Throughout the 1980s, the company stayed at the forefront of innovation. In 1981, FUJIGEN became the first guitar manufacturer in the world to introduce CNC routers, dramatically enhancing production precision and efficiency. In 1982, the company entered an OEM agreement with CBS Fender and began producing Fender and Squier guitars. By 1983, monthly production reached 14,000 guitars—then the highest volume in the world.
In 1989, the company name was officially changed to FUJIGEN, signaling a broader vision that included ventures beyond musical instruments, such as home fixtures and outdoor equipment. Still, FUJIGEN’s passion for guitars remained steadfast.
1990 –
In the 1990s, FUJIGEN launched its own original brands, such as Heartfield and Anboy, which would eventually evolve into the flagship FGN Odyssey Series. The company also began producing wood components for luxury car interiors and high-end audio panels, creating a dual-division structure: M.I. (Musical Instruments) and C.A. (Car Parts & Audio).
In 1999, FUJIGEN guitars were officially released under the company’s own name. The following year, the proprietary Circle Fretting System (C.F.S.) was introduced, and the FGN brand was officially launched—blending tradition with cutting-edge technology.
Heartfield
Anboy
Fujigen
2000 –
In 2001, FUJIGEN opened its flagship store Custom House in Ikebukuro, Tokyo. This was followed by the establishment of a dedicated Service Division in Matsumoto, offering inspection, repair, and logistics tailored for stringed instruments. In 2006, the company launched its official online store and introduced a semi-custom order system—pioneering e-commerce in the Japanese guitar market.
In 2008, the M.I. Division was consolidated at the new Ōmachi Main Factory. The following year, FUJIGEN made its European debut at Musikmesse Frankfurt, and later expanded to Asia. In 2012, the FGN brand was unveiled at NAMM in the United States.
In 2020, FUJIGEN proudly celebrated its 60th anniversary. What began in a humble cowshed had grown into a globally respected guitar manufacturer—trusted by musicians all over the world.
In July 2023, the next chapter began as Fumiaki Yokouchi, carrying on the vision of his father and co-founder Yuichiro, was appointed President and CEO. Today, FUJIGEN remains committed to crafting world-class instruments with a spirit of innovation, tradition, and pride.
