In 1916, Taro Yamamoto, who decided to establish a private explosives manufacturing company, founded Japan Explosives Manufacturing Co., Ltd. together with Naoji Kaneko and Sohei Mogi. In 1943, it absorbed and merged with Imperial Dye Manufacturing Co., Ltd. and Yamakawa Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., launching the dye and pharmaceutical businesses. In 1945, aiming for further development as a comprehensive chemical manufacturer, the company name was changed to Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd., focusing on the three core businesses of explosives, dyes, and pharmaceuticals.
Nippon Kayaku was founded in 1916 as Japan's first industrial explosive manufacturer, Nippon Explosives Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
In 1943, absorbed and merged with Imperial Dye Manufacturing Co., Ltd. and Yamakawa Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., launching dye and pharmaceutical businesses.
In 1945, the company adopted the current name, Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd.
In 1945, aiming for further development as a comprehensive chemical manufacturer, the company was renamed Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd., focusing on explosives, dyes, and pharmaceuticals.
In 1948, began manufacturing penicillin in the pharmaceutical business.
Started manufacturing penicillin in 1948.
In the dye business, started developing fluorescent dyes around 1949, growing to become the top in shipment volume domestically.
In the dye business, began developing fluorescent dyes around 1949, growing to become the top domestic supplier.
By 1955, grew to hold a 45% share of domestically produced penicillin tablets.
By 1955, grew to hold 45% share of domestically produced penicillin tablets.
Formed a partnership with Swiss company Geigy and began production of the insecticide Diazinon in 1956. The agricultural chemicals division, which led to the current Agro business, was newly established.
Formed a partnership with Swiss company GAI GEE to start production of the insecticide Diazinon, leading to the establishment of the current Agro division.
In 1962, decided to nominate for the Deming Prize, awarded for contributions to the advancement of Total Quality Control (TQC). After internal education for all employees, received the award in 1963.
In 1962, Dr. Umezawa discovered Bleomycin, which was developed as an anticancer drug at Nippon Kayaku and launched in 1969.
In 1962, decided to nominate for the Deming Prize, which is awarded to those who contribute to the advancement of Total Quality Control (TQC).
In the pharmaceutical business, Breomysin was discovered by Dr. Umezawa in 1962 and developed as an anticancer agent at Nippon Kayaku.
Received the award in 1963.
In 1965, an epoxy resin research and development project was launched.
In 1965, an epoxy resin research and development project was launched.
In 1969, the anticancer drug Bleomycin was launched.
In 1969, commercialization of epoxy resins was achieved.
In 1971, a resin division was newly established.
The resin division was newly established in 1971.
In 1973, with the introduction of the elderly medical expense subsidy system and other factors, a tailwind blew through the pharmaceutical industry, leading to the release of products such as Muscarm tablets and patches based on Panacaya.
During this period, active expansion into the Asian pesticide market was carried out, and the catalyst license business was also launched.
In 1973, a tailwind blew in the pharmaceutical industry with the introduction of the elderly medical expense subsidy system, and products such as Muskalum tablets and patches based on Panacaya drug were launched.
During the difficult times of the first oil crisis and the closure of coal mines, Nippon Kayaku strengthened its management foundation through major organizational reforms and factory mergers and closures.
1982 (Showa 57): Established a representative office in New York (later became a local subsidiary).
1982 (Showa 57): New Kashima Factory established.
Established New York Office (later became a local subsidiary): New Kashima Factory
In 1983, the existing system of 5 divisions, 9 departments, and 1 section was replaced with a new system consisting of 2 business headquarters (pharmaceuticals and chemicals) and 7 departments and 3 sections.
1983 (Showa 58): Transition to two business headquarters, Pharmaceuticals and Chemicals.
1983 (Showa 58): Approval obtained for the manufacture of Ranula injections.
1983 (Showa 58): Headquarters relocated to 1-11-2 Fujimi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo.
In 1983, the transition from a system of 5 business divisions, 9 departments, and 1 office to a system of 2 business divisions, the Pharmaceutical Business Headquarters and the Chemical Products Business Headquarters, with 7 departments and 3 offices, began.
Two-business headquarters system for the Pharmaceutical Business Headquarters and the Chemical Products Business Headquarters: Obtained approval for Lantha injection manufacturing: Moved headquarters to 1-11-2 Fujimi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
1985 (Showa 60): Closure of Ogura Dye Factory.
1985 (Showa 60): Started polarizer business.
Closed Kokura Dye Factory: Started Polarizer business
1986 (Showa 61): 70th anniversary and new company emblem established.
70th anniversary of founding, new company emblem adopted
1988 (Showa 63): Established Düsseldorf representative office (later moved to Frankfurt and became a local subsidiary).
Established Düsseldorf Office (later moved to Frankfurt and became a local subsidiary)
In the late 1990s, the company promoted overseas relocation of manufacturing bases, establishing a joint venture in China called "Zhaoyuan Advanced Chemical Co., Ltd." followed by "Wuxi Advanced Chemical Co., Ltd.".
1990 (Heisei 2): Completion of transfer of pesticide manufacturing division from Tokyo Factory to Kashima Factory.
1990 (Heisei 2): Started shipping airbag samples from Himeji Factory.
In the late 1990s, the company promoted overseas transfer of manufacturing bases and established a joint venture in China called "Zhaoyuan Advanced Chemical Co., Ltd." followed by "Wuxi Advanced Chemical Co., Ltd.".
Completed transfer of the agricultural chemicals manufacturing division of Tokyo Factory to Kashima Factory: Started shipping airbag samples from Himeji Factory
1991 (Heisei 3): Established joint venture Polatechno Co., Ltd. for functional films.
Established a joint venture company Polatecno Co., Ltd. for functional films
1992 (Heisei 4): Completed the training center "Hishou".
1992 (Heisei 4): Established Kagaku Satoma Co., Ltd.
Completed construction of training center "Hishou": Established Shakyo Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
In 1993, "Taiwan Nikka Co., Ltd." was established, and an office was opened in Shanghai.
Founded Taiwan Chemical Corporation in 1993 (Heisei 5)
Established Shanghai Liaison Office in 1993 (Heisei 5)
In 1993, "Taiwan Nikka Co., Ltd." was established, and an office in Shanghai was opened.
Established Taiwan Nikka Co., Ltd.: Established Shanghai Office
Merged with Nichika Industries Co., Ltd. to establish Nikkagene Nikka Co., Ltd. in 1994 (Heisei 6)
Started supplying inflators for airbags in 1994 (Heisei 6)
Nikkagaku Co., Ltd. merged with Naigai Nikkagaku Co., Ltd., and Nikkagaku Nikkagaku Co., Ltd. was established: Started supplying inflators for airbags
Established Japan Chemical Food Tech Co., Ltd., a subsidiary in the food business, in 1995 (Heisei 7)
Established a joint venture with Zhaoyuan Advanced Chemical Co., Ltd. in China in 1995 (Heisei 7)
Established Japan Kayaku Food Tech Co., Ltd., a subsidiary in the food business: Established joint venture Zhaoyuan Advanced Chemical Co., Ltd. in China
Established a joint venture with Wuxi Advanced Chemical Co., Ltd. (now Wuxi Advanced Chemical Co., Ltd.) in China in 1996 (Heisei 8)
Celebrated 80th anniversary in 1996 (Heisei 8)
Established a joint venture in China, Wuxi Advanced Chemical Co., Ltd. (now Wuxi Advanced Chemical Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.): 80th anniversary
Since 2000, Nihon Kayaku has streamlined management by spinning off the Tokyo Factory, Fukuyama Factory, and the sales division of the color materials business, and managing them as a group.
Since 2000, Nippon Kayaku has separated the Tokyo Factory, Fukuyama Factory, and the sales division of the color materials business into subsidiaries to improve management efficiency through group management.
Since 2017, the company has transitioned from the traditional business system to a three-business domain system: "Mobility & Imaging Business Domain," "Fine Chemicals Business Domain," and "Life Sciences Business Domain," practicing sustainable management that considers the environment and society, aiming for continuous growth.
Since 2017, the company has transitioned from the traditional four-business division system to a three-business domain system: "Mobility & Imaging Business Domain," "Fine Chemicals Business Domain," and "Life Science Business Domain," evolving into a strategic organizational structure with clear target areas.
In 2023, the company transitioned from the traditional four-business division system to a three-business domain system: "Mobility & Imaging Business Domain," "Fine Chemicals Business Domain," and "Life Science Business Domain," and has been working to implement transparent and fair sustainable management that considers the environment and society, aiming for sustainable growth.
Japan Chemical Co., Ltd. will exhibit at the 43rd "Sensor Micromachine and Applied Systems" symposium, held from November 16 to 19, 2026, at the Kunibiki Messe. The booth will be B-19, showcasing a photosensitive dry film for MEMS structural formation.
We placed an advertisement, including our IR information, in the December issue of Nikkei Trendy, released on November 4, 2026. The article, titled "Technology that began with gunpowder will support the future prosperity," introduces our company with a story of developing and evolving our business from gunpowder as a starting point, leading us to a new stage of growth.
Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd. will exhibit at JITF2026, held at TKP Garden City PREMIUM Kyobashi on October 19–20, 2026. The company will showcase water-based pigment inkjet inks for industrial use at its booth in Halls 22A and 22B.
Nippon Kasei’s Atsukasa plant sponsored the "Yamaguchi Future Career Handbook 2027: Starting with 'Like!'", which was published in late September 2026, with the aim of distributing it for free to middle‑school students in Yamaguchi Prefecture. The sponsorship has been ongoing since 2023, and this is the fourth year. The handbook, with 40,000 copies printed, contains content to support future career choices.
On October 1, 2026, Nippon Kasei completed the acquisition of shares of the company inheriting the business of the Toyama Second Factory and established the new company Nippon Kasei Pharmatech Co., Ltd. The new company obtained a pharmaceutical manufacturing license and will undertake contract development and manufacturing of medical injection products. Nippon Kasei aims to strengthen its supply system for anticancer drugs and biosimilars and expand production capacity.
Tatsuki, Chairman of Kantsu Holdings, was invited to speak about crisis management and the importance of business continuity, drawing on his firsthand experience of ransomware damage. Participants actively asked questions and exchanged views.
Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd. received additional approval from Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare for the indications, effects, dosage, and administration of its sunitinib tablets 12.5 mg “NK” for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. The product’s brand name, generic name, indications, and administration information were revised. The company stated that it will continue developing and supplying pharmaceuticals and medical devices and contribute to a sustainable society.
Nippon Kayaku received approval for additional indications, usage, and dosage for Gemcitabine Injection 200 mg/5 mL ‘NK’ and 1 g/25 mL ‘NK.’ The approval covers induction chemotherapy as part of chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced nasopharyngeal cancer, as well as recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal cancer.
Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd. will exhibit at SEMICON TAIWAN 2026, held in Taipei from September 2 to 4, 2026. The company will display photosensitive dry film resist and liquid photosensitive materials at booth N0570 on the fourth floor of TaiNEX 1. Visitors can see the company's latest products.
Nippon Kayaku has submitted an application for approval to add the indication of 'malignant pituitary adenoma' for the antineoplastic agent Temozolomide tablets 20mg 'NK' and 100mg 'NK'. It has been used for the treatment of gliomas and Ewing's sarcoma, and this application is for expanding its indications.