Akira Murata, the founder and honorary chairman of major electronic component maker Murata Manufacturing Co., died of pneumonia at a Kyoto hospital Friday, the company said Monday. He was 84.
Murata, a native of Kyoto, started developing ceramics materials after dropping out of high school. In 1944, he set up the company's predecessor, a one-man venture.
The business became a joint-stock company in 1950.
Murata expanded business mainly in electronics parts for television sets and communication devices. He then made the company the world's top components maker in the field of ceramics condensers for mobile phones and digital cameras.
Murata became chairman when his son, Yasutaka, replaced him as president in 1991. Murata stepped aside to take the post of honorary chairman in 1995.