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The development history of optical fibers in Japan is reviewed. One milestone was the achievement of a very low loss value in 1976 using the MCVD method, resulting in the opening of new longer wavelength regions for optical transmission systems. The second was an innovation of VAD method by which high quality optical fibers of various types could be fabricated with high producitvity. From these two 'sprouts' of new technology, fiber development in Japan has entered its 'flowering period', with wide applications in public telecommunication networks and other information transmission systems. Short-term problems, such as possible cost reduction techniques for VAD fibers are discussed. Progress in long-term research items such as single polarization fibers are also touched on.