Odawara:Tokyo Fujifilm Corp. has announced plans to increase the production of magnetic tape for data storage, marking the first such expansion in 20 years.
According to Thai News Agency, the Japanese company will invest approximately 10 billion yen to enhance its manufacturing capabilities at a facility in Odawara, Kanagawa Prefecture, located south of Tokyo. This investment will occur over the span of three years, culminating in fiscal 2028, and aims to increase production capacity fivefold starting from fiscal 2025.
The decision to boost production arises from the growing demand for data storage driven by the proliferation of artificial intelligence and cloud services. As data storage needs surge, so do concerns about information theft through unauthorized access. Magnetic tape, which can be isolated from networks, is gaining attention as a secure medium for safeguarding data against cyberattacks.
Fujifilm's enhanced supply system will focus on magnetic tape capable of storing up to 100 terabytes of compressed data. Although magnetic tape processes data more slowly compared to magnetic discs and flash memory used in hard disk drives and solid-state drives, it remains cost-effective and is advantageous for long-term data management. Fujifilm continues to improve its magnetic tape offerings, asserting that it holds the largest share in the global market.