FUJIGEN
Corporate brand
UnclaimedJapanese musical-instrument manufacturer known for electric-guitar OEM production and its FGN brand.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
FUJIGEN is a Japanese musical-instrument manufacturer headquartered in Matsumoto, Nagano. Established in 1960 as Fuji Gengakki Seizō, the company initially made violins and classical guitars before moving into electric-guitar production in 1962. Its name refers to Mount Fuji, while the company’s modern corporate identity is written as FUJIGEN. Alongside its own FGN-branded instruments, FUJIGEN has built a substantial business manufacturing guitars for other companies and music-industry brands. The company became particularly influential in the development of Japan’s electric-guitar manufacturing sector during the 1970s and 1980s. It produced instruments for Hoshino Gakki’s Ibanez operation, Greco, Yamaha, Antoria, and several British import and distribution businesses. In the late 1970s it also entered a joint venture with Roland connected with guitar-synthesizer production. This combination of contract manufacturing, tooling capability, and export orientation helped FUJIGEN become one of the better-known Japanese OEM factories serving international guitar markets. FUJIGEN concentrated more heavily on solid-body instruments from 1981, when it reduced its involvement in acoustic-guitar production. The company invested in computer-controlled manufacturing equipment and began making its own pickups during the same period. It subsequently obtained the Fender Japan manufacturing contract, which ran from the early 1980s until the mid-to-late 1990s. During the peak of this period, the factory was reported to be producing approximately 14,000 guitars per month, with most output destined for export markets. After adopting the FUJIGEN name in 1989, the company continued to diversify its OEM relationships. It produced part of the Orville by Gibson range from the early 1990s until 1998, and later manufactured Epiphone Japan solid-body guitars, selected Gretsch models, and instruments for other established brands. Its OEM work continued, although at lower volumes than during the company’s earlier peak. FUJIGEN also developed and sells instruments under its own FGN brand, offering electric guitars, basses, and related models positioned around Japanese manufacturing, detailed construction, and consistent quality. The company operates manufacturing facilities associated with Matsumoto, Omachi, and Hirooka in Nagano Prefecture. Its capabilities extend beyond musical instruments: in the mid-2010s, FUJIGEN began producing rosewood interior components for certain Mazda vehicles. This activity reflects the company’s broader use of woodworking, finishing, precision machining, and production-engineering expertise. FUJIGEN is therefore both a consumer-facing instrument brand through FGN and a behind-the-scenes industrial manufacturer for global instrument companies.
History
FUJIGEN began operations in 1960 under the name Fuji Gengakki Seizō, a Japanese name meaning Fuji Stringed Instrument Manufacturing. Its original output consisted of violins and classical guitars. The company entered electric-guitar production in 1962, establishing the technical and commercial foundation for the business it would later become known for. During the 1970s, FUJIGEN expanded into contract manufacturing for domestic and overseas instrument businesses. Its customers and associated brands included Hoshino Gakki, whose Ibanez instruments were made in Japan, as well as Greco, Yamaha, Antoria, and a number of British importers and distributors connected with brands such as Ibanez, CSL, Cimar, Sumbro, and Antoria. This OEM model allowed FUJIGEN to serve multiple brand identities while building expertise in tooling, finishing, assembly, and export-oriented production. In 1977 and 1978, the company entered a joint venture with Roland to produce guitar synthesizers. Although guitar synthesizers represented a different product category from conventional electric guitars, the project illustrated FUJIGEN’s willingness to apply its manufacturing capabilities to emerging electronic-instrument formats. The company changed its production priorities in the early 1980s. In 1981 it largely withdrew from acoustic-guitar production and concentrated on solid-body instruments. Around the same period, FUJIGEN acquired a CNC router for guitar-part production and began manufacturing its own pickups. These investments improved repeatability and expanded the company’s control over important components. Between 1981 and 1982, FUJIGEN secured the Fender Japan manufacturing contract. The relationship continued until approximately 1996 or 1997 and became one of the most important chapters in the company’s international manufacturing history. In 1983, the factory was reported to be producing about 14,000 guitars each month. Approximately four-fifths of production was exported, demonstrating the scale of FUJIGEN’s role in the global guitar supply chain during that period. In 1989, Fuji Gengakki Seizō formally adopted the FUJIGEN name. The company continued developing its OEM business in the 1990s. From the middle or latter part of 1992, it held part of the Orville by Gibson production contract, which ended in 1998. It subsequently manufactured Epiphone Japan solid-body instruments and some Gretsch models, while continuing OEM work for companies including Ibanez. The scale of this work later became smaller than during the company’s 1980s peak, but OEM production remained central to its identity. FUJIGEN also maintained an own-brand business under the FGN name. These instruments allow the company to present its manufacturing standards directly to players rather than only through third-party labels. The FGN range is associated primarily with electric guitars and basses, supported by FUJIGEN’s experience in neck construction, body shaping, finishing, electronics, and quality control. The company’s manufacturing footprint includes its head-office factory in Matsumoto, the Omachi factory in Omachi, and the Hirooka factory in Shiojiri, which was established around 1992. In the mid-2010s, FUJIGEN broadened its industrial activities by producing rosewood interior elements for some Mazda vehicles. This extension used capabilities developed through decades of precision woodworking and finishing work. FUJIGEN consequently operates as both a specialist guitar manufacturer and a diversified Japanese production company with expertise applicable beyond musical instruments.
- 2010
Expansion into automotive wood components
[1]In the mid-2010s, FUJIGEN began producing rosewood interior components for selected Mazda vehicles.
- 1998
End of Orville by Gibson contract
[1]The Orville by Gibson manufacturing arrangement concluded, after which FUJIGEN continued with other OEM work and its own FGN instruments.
- 1992
Orville by Gibson production
[1]FUJIGEN obtained part of the Orville by Gibson manufacturing contract in the mid-to-late 1992 period.
- 1989
Adoption of the FUJIGEN name
[1]Fuji Gengakki Seizō officially rebranded as FUJIGEN.
- 1983
High-volume production period
[1]The company was reported to be producing approximately 14,000 guitars per month, with most output exported.
- 1982
Fender Japan manufacturing relationship
[1]FUJIGEN obtained the Fender Japan contract in the 1981–1982 period; the relationship continued until approximately 1996–1997.
- 1981
Shift toward solid-body instruments
[1]FUJIGEN reduced its acoustic-guitar activity and focused primarily on solid-body guitars. It also acquired CNC routing equipment and began producing its own pickups.
- 1977
Roland guitar-synthesizer joint venture
[1]FUJIGEN entered a joint venture with Roland in the 1977–1978 period to manufacture guitar synthesizers.
- 1970
Expansion of OEM guitar manufacturing
[1]During the 1970s, FUJIGEN began producing guitars for multiple Japanese and overseas brands and importers, including Ibanez-related operations, Greco, Yamaha, and Antoria.
- 1962
Entry into electric-guitar production
[1]The company started producing electric guitars, establishing the product category that later became central to its business.
Products and positioning
A Japanese mid-to-premium musical-instrument manufacturer combining high-volume OEM production with its own FGN-branded guitars and basses. Its market reputation is associated with Japanese craftsmanship, solid-body electric-guitar expertise, production consistency, and the ability to manufacture instruments for internationally recognized brands.
Electric guitars
FGN electric guitars
FGN electric guitars are FUJIGEN’s principal own-brand instruments. They draw on the company’s long experience in solid-body construction, neck and body woodworking, finishing, electronics, and factory quality control. The range gives FUJIGEN a direct consumer-facing identity in addition to its OEM role, and is positioned around Japanese manufacturing, careful workmanship, and dependable playability.
Bass guitars
FGN bass guitars
FGN basses extend the company’s own-brand manufacturing approach into electric bass instruments. They use the same broad production capabilities that support FUJIGEN’s guitar work, including precision woodworking, finishing, hardware installation, and electronics assembly. Specific model histories and launch dates are not established in the supplied references.
Contract-manufactured guitars · 1970
OEM electric guitars
OEM electric guitars are instruments manufactured by FUJIGEN for other brands. Historical relationships have included Ibanez-related production, Fender Japan, Greco, Yamaha, Orville by Gibson, Epiphone Japan, and selected Gretsch models. The exact specifications, branding, and production quantities vary by customer and period.
Acoustic guitars · 1960
Acoustic guitars
Acoustic guitars were among FUJIGEN’s original products and formed part of its early manufacturing history. The company later chose to concentrate mainly on solid-body instruments and reduced its acoustic-guitar activity around 1981. Current acoustic-guitar production is not confirmed by the supplied references.
Guitar electronics · 1981
Guitar pickups
FUJIGEN began producing its own pickups in the early 1980s after investing in expanded guitar-production capabilities. In-house pickup manufacturing gave the company greater control over instrument components and complemented its CNC-based parts production and solid-body guitar specialization.
Automotive components · 2010
Automotive rosewood interior components
In the mid-2010s, FUJIGEN expanded beyond musical instruments by producing rosewood interior elements for some Mazda vehicles. This work applied the company’s woodworking, material-processing, finishing, and precision-manufacturing capabilities to automotive interiors.
Brand decisions
2010
Diversification into automotive componentsStrategyBackground
FUJIGEN possessed established expertise in woodworking, finishing, and precision production derived from musical-instrument manufacturing.
Action taken
In the mid-2010s, the company began producing rosewood interior elements for selected Mazda vehicles.
Aftermath
The move broadened FUJIGEN’s industrial activities beyond guitars and other musical instruments.
1989
Corporate rebranding as FUJIGENStrategyBackground
The company had operated for decades under the longer Fuji Gengakki Seizō name while its manufacturing business became increasingly recognized internationally.
Action taken
Fuji Gengakki Seizō formally adopted the FUJIGEN name.
Aftermath
The FUJIGEN identity became associated with both the company’s OEM manufacturing activities and its later FGN own-brand instruments.
1981
Concentration on solid-body guitar manufacturingStrategyBackground
FUJIGEN had experience making both acoustic and electric instruments, but the company’s growth increasingly came from electric-guitar OEM work and international demand for solid-body instruments.
Action taken
The company opted out of most acoustic-guitar production and focused its manufacturing resources primarily on solid-body guitars. It also invested in CNC routing and began producing pickups internally.
Aftermath
The shift strengthened FUJIGEN’s specialization in electric-guitar manufacturing and supported its subsequent large-scale OEM contracts, including Fender Japan.
Sources2 sources
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