Knocking Down the Bone Pile: Revamp Your Components with BGA Reballing
SMT Perspectives & Prospects: Artificial Intelligence Part 6: Data Module 1
Standard of Excellence: Overcoming Service Failures—The Art of the Apology
Japan’s Thermosetting Plastics Association Represents at IPC APEX EXPO 2015
March 19, 2015 | Pete Starkey, I-Connect007Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
At the International Reception, held opening night of IPC APEX EXPO 2015, I-Connect Technical Editor Pete Starkey made the rounds and found some visitors from Japan, namely, Kazutaka Masaoka, from Thermosetting Plastics Association (JTPIA). In this brief interview conducted amongst the reception attendees, Masaoka-san and Starkey discuss Japanese vs. North American circuit board quality and business trends.
Pete Starkey: Masaoka-san, it's a pleasure to meet you here.
Kazutaka Masaoka: Nice to meet you.
Starkey: Could you give me what brings you to San Diego for IPC APEX EXPO, and also some idea of your first impressions?
Masaoka: Yes, thank you. Originally, I'm from Hitachi Chemical. I was 60 years old when I retired, and then I moved to the Association. Before that, I worked in R&D, on the development of dry film photoresist—for a long time. So I've been interested in this kind of exhibition for many years, and I’ve enjoyed seeing the technical trends moving and changing year by year, generation by generation. For example, at the start of developing my product, the focus was how many lines can fit between through-holes? When I started to work, in terms of that, it was just two lines between through-holes, but the technology today is changing so much. It’s very impressive.
Starkey: We have always looked to Japan for the leading edge in technology. How do you see the comparison between the technical capability now in Japan and the technical capability now in North America?
Masaoka: Basically, previous circuit boards in the West were based on the military application. They were known for their polymer substrate, and you know that type of substrate has to have high temperature resistance and be of very high quality. But at that moment, 20 or 30 years ago, the U.S. technology level was very high, and our Japanese quality of the previous circuit board not. Since then, the Japanese people have made a lot of effort to improve the capabilities of their circuit boards. But the U.S. is moving as well, and changing and developing year by year. So perhaps quality of the previous Japanese circuit board is very close to yours, but still competing. I think we need to have some impact or stimulation from technology or market or people.
Starkey: So what would you say is your main purpose coming here to this convention?
Masaoka: To look at the typical trends and observe the markets.
Starkey: Masaoka-san, thanks for your time and best of luck this week.
Masaoka: Thank you.
Share on:
Testimonial
"In a year when every marketing dollar mattered, I chose to keep I-Connect007 in our 2025 plan. Their commitment to high-quality, insightful content aligns with Koh Young’s values and helps readers navigate a changing industry. "
Brent Fischthal - Koh YoungSuggested Items
LPKF Joins productronica’s 50th Anniversary, Showcasing Laser Technology for Electronics Manufacturing
10/10/2025 | LPKF Laser & ElectronicsLPKF Laser & Electronics invites visitors to productronica 2025 in Munich from November 18 to 21. At booth 305 in hall B2, the company will present its portfolio of modern laser technologies for the electronics industry live – from prototyping systems and high-performance depaneling to laser plastic welding for electronic housings and thin glass processing for advanced packaging.
Marco Pieters Appointed ASML Chief Technology Officer
10/09/2025 | ASMLASML Holding NV (ASML) announced the appointment of Marco Pieters as Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, reporting to President and Chief Executive Officer, Christophe Fouquet.
Advanced Rework Technology Inspires Students at National Manufacturing Day 2025
10/08/2025 | A.R.T. Ltd.Advanced Rework Technology Ltd. (A.R.T.), a leading independent IPC-accredited training provider, joined forces with Jaltek, a UK-based electronics manufacturer with over 35 years’ experience in designing and producing high-quality electronic products, to deliver hands-on workshops for students during National Manufacturing Day 2025.
I-Connect007 Releases Episode 5 of Groundbreaking Ultra HDI Podcast Series
10/10/2025 | I-Connect007In Episode 5 “Via Structures,” host Nolan Johnson welcomes back John Johnson, Director of Quality and Advanced Technology at American Standard Circuits. Together, they explore the designer’s perspective on UHDI’s impact on via structures, diving into the metallurgy, chemistry, mechanical considerations, and stackup reduction that provide greater design flexibility and fewer constraints than ever before.
EDADOC Ushers in a New Era of Robotics Innovation
10/07/2025 | Edy Yu, Editor-in-Chief, ECIOOn Sept. 11, Shanghai Zhiyuan Technology Co., Ltd. (MScape) made a stunning debut at Shanghai’s 2025 Fourth North Bund Cybersecurity Forum and Cyber Intelligence Security Frontier Technology and Equipment Exhibition. The company presented the world’s first Dvorak super heterogeneous architecture and the Zhijing T-series-embodied intelligence (robotics) edge computing power platform. This has been a game-changer in the cybersecurity technology field, filling the gap in the domestic robotics core computing power platform.