Lead-free product developments in Japan

Abstract

With concern over environmental issues and anticipated consumer demandfor lead-free, many Japanese companies have introduced products intothe market. Japanese companies such as Hitachi, NEC, Sony, and Toshibahave roadmaps with lead reduction goals of 50 percent in someelectronic products by the year 2000. This presentation details some ofthe research activity by Japanese organizations including soldermaterial selection. It also provides an insight into Japanese corporatepolicies and details actual produced introduced into the marketplace.The report provides a history of successful market introduction byconsumer product companies such as Matsushita. Product examples are notlimited to consumer applications. Included is information on Fujitsu'shigh-end server with lead-free flip chip bumps. The presentationconcludes with a look at Japanese roadmaps for lead-free solderintroduction.