Murata develops world’s tiniest capacitor for big business amid Japanese electronics struggle

TOKYO – Japanese electronics maker Murata Manufacturing Co. has developed the world’s tiniest version of a component known as the capacitor.

That’s potentially big business. Capacitors, which store electric energy, are used in the dozens, even hundreds, in just about every type of gadget — smartphones, laptops, parts for hybrid cars, medical equipment and digital cameras. Smaller componentry allows for innovations and improvements from thinner devices to longer battery life.

The latest capacitor, measuring just 0.25 millimeter by 0.125 millimeter, is as tiny as the period at the end of this sentence.

Murata’s focus on technological breakthroughs, such as the one announced Wednesday, underlines the challenges confronting Japan’s electronics industry, taking a beating from cheaper Asian rivals. Murata is the world No. 1 in market share and production capacity in ceramic capacitors.