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The past: The unsung story of Tokeshi Godai

Onkyo founder, Takeshi Godai embarked on his journey towards greatness amidst the oil-stained floors and tinkling of tools at his family’s humble bicycle shop. Watching his father closely, a young Takeshi not only mastered the art of engineering but also developed the skills of running a successful enterprise.

It was within those formative years that his eagerness for crafting impeccable, Japanese-made products first took root.

Fate wove another strand into Takeshi’s destiny.

The Godai family bicycle company employed a young Konosuke Matsushita, another young entrepreneurial spirit, as an apprentice to Takeshi’s father, Otokichi Godai. Little did they know at the time, Takeshi and Konosuke’s paths would intersect again in the annals of history—shaping the course of Japanese industry forever.

Konosuke went on to build his own company, the Matsushita Electric Industrial Company, where he would later employee his mentor’s son, Takeshi. Working alongside Konosuke, Takeshi honed his skills over the years and eventually was head of the speaker manufacturing factory.

Matsushita Electric Industrial Company would later become an international household name and the consumer electronics powerhouse known as Panasonic.

Takeshi’s tenure there was marked by relentless innovation and an unwavering commitment to excellence. However, within Takeshi stirred a deeper yearning—a vision to forge his own legacy, a beacon of hope and progress in a nation grappling with the aftermath of war.

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Onkyo Takeshi Godai 2000x1333

Thus, in 1946, Takeshi Godai founded the Osaka Denki Onkyo Company— and embarked on a mission to elevate Japanese craftsmanship, stimulate economic growth, and foster employment opportunities in a recovering Japan.

The journey of the Osaka Denki Onkyo Company was one fraught with challenges, yet illuminated by countless moments of triumph and innovation. On the eve of its 25th anniversary, Takeshi bestowed a shorter name for the company that would resonate world-wide for decades to come—Onkyo.

With ’Onkyo’, meaning ’sound harmony’ in Japanese, Takeshi encapsulated his unwavering dedication to crafting audio solutions that transcended mere functionality. It embodied a philosophy—an unwritten pact with enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike—that every product bearing the Onkyo name would exude precision, elegance, and an unrivaled passion for recreating sound with accuracy.

And since then, Onkyo has held its research and development here in Osaka—and remained a leader in consumer electronics innovation.

The future: Onkyo hub for innovation

The Premium Audio Company Technology Center

Our goal for Onkyo is to create a global center of technology.

At our offices in Japan, we proudly bring together a team of 59 dedicated employees, collectively boasting over 1,300 years of industry experience. With an average of 22 years of service among our team members, we are leveraging deep knowledge and expertise to drive excellence in product development.

PACTCKK Team Meeting 2000x1333
PACTCKK Team Meeting 2000x1333

This wealth of experience ensures that we are not only building upon our legacy but also pushing the boundaries of audio engineering.

Thus, within the walls of Onkyo, we have developed the Premium Audio Company Technology Center.

The establishment of PACTC is more than just a facility; it’s a hub for innovation where our engineers and technicians collaborate to develop the next generation of audio products. By combining our rich history with cutting-edge technology, we aim to set new benchmarks in sound quality and performance.

In this new center, we are not just maintaining our legacy; we are enhancing it. The Premium Audio Company Technology Center in Osaka will play a pivotal role in our strategy to deliver high-performance audio solutions to consumers around the world, ensuring that we remain at the forefront of the audio industry.

Join us as we explore new possibilities in sound.