A review of the 50-year history of the Japanese crystal growth community can provide a good example of how science and technology, particularly in the field of crystal growth, can make significant progress when good co-operation and communication exists between fundamental scientists and device designers and engineers. This will be demonstrated both from a historical point of view and from the author's personal experiences and interest in crystal growth fundamentals, particularly the morphology of crystals. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.