| 1916 |
In 1916, Taro Yamamoto decided to establish a private explosives manufacturing company, founding Japan Explosives Manufacturing Co., Ltd. In 1943, it absorbed and merged with Imperial Dye Manufacturing Co., Ltd. and Yamakawa Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., launching dye and pharmaceutical businesses. In 1945, aiming for further development as a comprehensive chemical manufacturer, the company name was changed to Japan Chemical Co., Ltd., centered on the three businesses of explosives, dyes, and pharmaceuticals. |
| 1916 |
Japan Chemical was founded in 1916 as Japan's first industrial explosive manufacturer, Japan Explosives Manufacturing Co., Ltd. |
| 1943 |
In 1943, absorbed and merged with Imperial Dye Manufacturing Co., Ltd. and Yamakawa Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., launching dye and pharmaceutical businesses. |
| 1945 |
In 1945, the company adopted the current name, Japan Chemical Co., Ltd. |
| 1945 |
In 1945, aiming for further development as a comprehensive chemical manufacturer, the company name was changed to Japan Chemical Co., Ltd., centered on the three businesses of explosives, dyes, and pharmaceuticals. |
| 1948 |
In 1948, began manufacturing penicillin in the pharmaceutical business. |
| 1948 |
In 1948, began manufacturing penicillin. |
| 1949 |
In the dye business, development of fluorescent dyes started around 1949, growing to become the top in shipment volume domestically. |
| 1949 |
In 1949, started developing fluorescent dyes, growing to become the top in shipment volume domestically. |
| 1955 |
By 1955, the company grew to hold a 45% share of domestically produced penicillin tablets. |
| 1955 |
In 1955, grew to hold a 45% share of domestically produced penicillin tablets. |
| 1956 |
In 1956, partnered with Swiss GAI GEE, began production of the insecticide Diazinon, leading to the establishment of the agricultural chemicals division that connects to the current agro-business. |
| 1956 |
Partnered with Swiss GAI GEE, began production of the insecticide Diazinon, leading to the establishment of the agricultural chemicals division. |
| 1962 |
In 1962, decided to run for the Deming Prize, awarded for contributions to the advancement of Total Quality Control (TQC). After internal education of all employees, received the award in 1963. |
| 1962 |
In 1962, Dr. Umezawa discovered Bleomycin, which was developed as an anticancer drug at Japan Chemical and launched in 1969. |
| 1962 |
In 1962, decided to run for the Deming Prize for contributions to Total Quality Control (TQC). |
| 1962 |
In 1962, Dr. Umezawa discovered Bleomycin, developed as an anticancer drug, launched in 1969. |
| 1963 |
Received the Deming Prize in 1963. |
| 1965 |
In 1965, an epoxy resin research and development project was launched. |
| 1965 |
In 1965, an epoxy resin research and development project was launched. |
| 1969 |
In 1969, epoxy resin products were commercialized. |
| 1969 |
In 1969, epoxy resin products were commercialized. |
| 1971 |
In 1971, the resin division was newly established. |
| 1971 |
In 1971, the resin division was newly established. |
| 1973 |
In 1973, driven by the introduction of the elderly medical expense subsidy system, launched products such as Muscalm tablets and patches based on Panacaya. |
| 1973 |
During this period, active expansion into the Asian pesticide market and start of catalyst licensing business occurred. |
| 1973 |
In 1973, driven by the introduction of the elderly medical expense subsidy system, launched products such as Muscalm tablets and patches based on Panacaya. |
| 1973 |
During the first oil crisis and coal mine closures, Japan Chemical strengthened its management foundation through organizational reforms and factory consolidations. |
| 1982 |
In 1982, established the New York Liaison Office (later became a local subsidiary). |
| 1982 |
In 1982, established Kashima Factory. |
| 1982 |
In 1982, established the New York Liaison Office (later became a local subsidiary). |
| 1983 |
In 1983, transitioned from a five-divisions, nine-departments, one-room system to a two-division, seven-department, three-room system comprising the Pharmaceutical Division and Chemical Products Division. |
| 1983 |
In 1983, transitioned to a two-division system with Pharmaceutical and Chemical Divisions. |
| 1983 |
In 1983, obtained approval for the manufacturing of Lantha injection. |
| 1983 |
In 1983, moved headquarters to 1-11-2 Fujimi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. |
| 1983 |
In 1983, transitioned to a two-division system with Pharmaceutical and Chemical Divisions. |
| 1983 |
In 1982, established Kashima Factory. |
| 1985 |
In 1985, closed Ogura Dye Factory. |
| 1985 |
In 1985, started polarizer business. |
| 1985 |
In 1983, transitioned to a two-division system with Pharmaceutical and Chemical Divisions. |
| 1986 |
In 1986, celebrated 70th anniversary and established new company emblem. |
| 1986 |
In 1983, obtained approval for Lantha injection manufacturing. |
| 1988 |
In 1988, opened Dusseldorf Liaison Office (later moved to Frankfurt as a local subsidiary). |
| 1988 |
In 1983, moved headquarters to 1-11-2 Fujimi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. |
| 1990 |
In the late 1990s, promoted overseas transfer of manufacturing bases, establishing joint ventures in China: 'Zhaoyuan Advanced Chemical Co., Ltd.' and later 'Wuxi Advanced Chemical Co., Ltd.'. |
| 1990 |
In 1990, completed transfer of agricultural chemical manufacturing from Tokyo to Kashima Factory. |
| 1990 |
In 1990, began shipping airbags from Himeji Factory. |
| 1990 |
In the late 1990s, promoted overseas transfer of manufacturing bases, establishing joint ventures in China: 'Zhaoyuan Advanced Chemical Co., Ltd.' and later 'Wuxi Advanced Chemical Co., Ltd.'. |
| 1990 |
In 1985, closed Ogura Dye Factory. |
| 1991 |
In 1991, established a joint venture Polatechno Co., Ltd. for functional films. |
| 1991 |
In 1985, started polarizer business. |
| 1992 |
In 1992, completed the training center 'Hishou'. |
| 1992 |
In 1992, established Kakyaku Satomaa Co., Ltd. |
| 1992 |
In 1986, celebrated 70th anniversary and established new company emblem. |
| 1993 |
In 1993, established 'Taiwan Nikka Co., Ltd.' and opened a Shanghai liaison office. |
| 1993 |
In 1993, established Taiwan Nikka Co., Ltd. |
| 1993 |
In 1993, established Shanghai Liaison Office. |
| 1993 |
In 1993, established 'Taiwan Nikka Co., Ltd.' and opened a Shanghai liaison office. |
| 1993 |
In 1988, opened Dusseldorf Liaison Office (later moved to Frankfurt as a local subsidiary). |
| 1994 |
In 1994, merged Nikkagyo Co., Ltd. into Nikkagyo Co., Ltd., launching Nikkagyo Nikkai. |
| 1994 |
In 1994, began delivery of airbags inflators. |
| 1994 |
In 1990, completed transfer of agricultural chemical manufacturing from Tokyo to Kashima Factory. |
| 1995 |
In 1995, established Japan Chemical Food Tech Co., Ltd., a subsidiary in the food business. |
| 1995 |
In 1995, established a joint venture in China, Zhaoyuan Advanced Chemical Co., Ltd. |
| 1995 |
In 1990, began shipping airbags from Himeji Factory. |
| 1996 |
In 1996, established a joint venture in China, Wuxi Advanced Chemical Co., Ltd. (now Wuxi Advanced Chemical Co., Ltd.). |
| 1996 |
In 1996, celebrated 80th anniversary. |
| 1996 |
In 1991, established a joint venture Polatechno Co., Ltd. for functional films. |
| 2000 |
Since 2000, Japan Chemical has split off operations such as Tokyo and Fukuyama factories and the color materials sales division, adopting group management for efficiency. |
| 2000 |
Since 2000, Japan Chemical has split off operations such as Tokyo and Fukuyama factories and the color materials sales division, adopting group management for efficiency. |
| 2017 |
Since 2017, shifted from a four-division system to a three-business domain system: 'Mobility & Imaging', 'Fine Chemicals', and 'Life Sciences', practicing sustainable management with environmental and social considerations for continuous growth. |
| 2017 |
Since 2017, shifted from a four-division system to a three-business domain system: 'Mobility & Imaging', 'Fine Chemicals', and 'Life Sciences', practicing sustainable management with environmental and social considerations for continuous growth. |
| 2023 |
In 2023, transitioned to a three-business domain system: 'Mobility & Imaging', 'Fine Chemicals', and 'Life Sciences', with a focus on sustainable growth and social responsibility. |
