In the middle of the North Atlantic in 40-foot seas thousands of nautical miles from habitation, life can get rather lonely. Every ship navigating the oceans and seas, however, is required to carry advanced global communications equipment. Experienced mariners more often than not choose products from the technological and market leader in marine electronic communication and navigation equipment, Japan Radio Company (JRC).

Whether for the high seas, light marine, or fishing, JRC has a wide range of radars, GMDSS radio systems, Inmarsat communications systems, GPS navigators, fish-finders, and sonar systems.

The Tokyo-based publicly traded enterprise is located in key markets around the world.

JRC started developing and manufacturing communication equipment in Tokyo in 1915. From then on the Japanese enterprise has distinguished itself as an innovation leader.

In 1932, it developed a 500W-high-powered radio transmitter for communication from shore to ship.

Seven years later, it was the first to use microwaves for radar system. The basis of this technology is still used today. It is also the same technology used in the microwave oven, which we were the first to introduce to the market.

In the 1950s, it launched its weather radar system. Even through it was introduced back in 1969, it’s Echolot, a long-range acoustic system, it still prevalent in the market. On the basis of high-tech products like its Inmarsat communication system for ships, which it debuted in 1975, JRC became the no. 1 in ships communication in 1985.

Today, JRC has not relinquished its position as a market leader. More than 3000 employees work at the Tokyo-based marine communications and navigation specialist.

The headquarters and R&D department are located, however, back in Japan. By centralising R&D in one place, all of our divisions can take advantage of the resources and synergies we have in place in Japan. JRC’s efforts in R&D have paved the way for some of the most advanced products on the water.

One example is the extremely popular 26 GHz wave microwave communication system. Using the same microwave technology, the Japanese electronics company also makes a wide range of systems for measuring and testing the effectiveness of cell phones.

Another area where it excels is in the production of GPS receivers. In marine electronics, we have developed a parabolic antenna that takes into consideration the movement of a ship in order to maintain contact with satellites.

This is crucial for ensuring the ease of communication. We also hold the largest market share worldwide for ships’ black boxes.

One of the top sellers in the program is the new radar system that places the ship in its location on a sea chart.

This system is also included in its Integrated Navigation System (INS) which provides an ergonomic workstation and man-machine interface.

For professional fishing boats and ships, it has introduced high-definition radar that provides greater accuracy and clarity.

While JRC invests heavily in R&D, it invests even more in quality assurance because it understands that defective systems at the wrong time can have terrible consequences.

In terms of quality, we set the bar exceptionally high. This is why we only produce our equipment in Japan. Here we have the most control over the final products.