Japanese manufacturers have shared their piezoelectric discoveries, quickly overcoming technical and manufacturing challenges and creating new markets. Japanese efforts in materials research have created piezoceramic materials competitive with the U.S. materials, but free of expensive patent restrictions.

Major Japanese piezoelectric developments include new designs of piezoceramic filters, used in radios and televisions, piezo buzzers and audio transducers that can be connected directly into electronic circuits, and the piezoelectric igniter which generates sparks for small engine ignition systems (and gas-grill lighters) by compressing a ceramic disc.

Ultrasonic transducers that could transmit sound waves through the air had existed for quite some time, but first saw major commercial use in early television remote controls.

These transducers now are mounted on several car models as an echolocation device, helping the driver determine the distance from the rear of the car to any objects that may be in its path.