O'Hara Co., Ltd.
Basic information
- Head office
- 252-5286, 1-15-30 Koyama, Central-ku, Sagamihara City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
- Chief executive
- Hirokazu Saito
- Capital
- 5,805,005,000 (58 100 million)
- Employees (non-consolidated)
- 468 people
- Employees (consolidated)
- 468 people
- Start date
- 1935-10-01
- End date
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Business
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History
Jinba Kōhara founded Kōhara Optical Glass Manufacturing (now O'Hara Co., Ltd.) and began operations in Kamata, Tokyo.![]()
Jinba Kōhara founded Kōhara Optical Glass Manufacturing (now O'Hara Co., Ltd.) and began operations in Kamata, Tokyo.![]()
Start selling impact-resistant high-hardness transparent glass ceramics (NANOCERAM™): start selling radiation-resistant optical glass![]()
Start of production of Lantern DP (direct press material) : Start of production of Pentaprism DP products.![]()
Establishment of Taiwan Ohara Optical Co., Ltd. : Commencement of production of high-transmission UV (365 nm) glass : Establishment of OPC Co., Ltd. (now OPC Corporation).![]()
Full-scale production of aspheric mold illumination elements commenced : Commencement of crystalline glass production.![]()
Commencement of crystalline glass bead production : Establishment of OHARA OPTICAL (M) SDN. BHD. (Malaysia) : Introduction of ultra-precision spectrometer.![]()
Commencement of production of ultra-low expansion glass ceramics (ClearCeram™-Z) : Commencement of production of mold-pressable mirror preform material.![]()
Establishment of OHARA DISK (M) SDN. BHD. (Malaysia) : ISO 9002 certification obtained for hard disk division.![]()
All 112 recommended optical glass types (at the time) were eco-friendly : Commencement of production of glass disks for magnetic head lift height measurement : ISO 9002 certification obtained for optical glass and special glass divisions.![]()
ISO 9001 certification obtained: Start of production of high-refractive, low-density glasses for eyeglasses![]()
Our optical glass installed in the Subaru telescope's primary focus camera "SC": Start of production of glass substrates for DWDM filters![]()
Start of production of low-light elastic glass: ISO 14001 certification obtained: Start of commissioned refractive index measurement service in vacuum UV range![]()
Obara Optical (Hong Kong) Limited established: commencement of large-scale continuous melting: Obara Optical (Zhongshan) Co., Ltd. (China)![]()
Membership in the Japan Federation of Economic Organizations: Start of production of eco-glass for fiber (e.g., endoscopes)![]()
Completion of headquarters building: Start of production of low-fluorescence glass (e.g., for microscopes): Stock split executed: Ultra-low expansion glass ceramics (ClearCeram™-Z) installed on the lunar orbiter "Kaguya (SELENE)"![]()
Establishment of Taiwan Ohara Optical Materials Co., Ltd.: High homogeneity optical glass installed in the Subaru telescope's primary focus camera "HSC"![]()
Withdrawal from hard disk glass substrate business: Ultra-low expansion glass ceramics (ClearCeram™-Z) adopted for the large astronomical telescope "TMT": Our glass used in the separation camera of "Hayabusa2"![]()
Start of mass production supply of aspherical glass molded lenses: 80th anniversary of founding: Launch of impact-resistant, high-hardness clear glass ceramics (NanoCeram™): Launch of radiation-resistant optical glass: Sale of lithium-ion conductive glass ceramics (LICGCSP-01)![]()
The impact-resistant, high-hardness transparent microcrystalline glass (NANOCERAM™) is used in the high-end interchangeable lens filter 'WR CERAMIC PROTECTOR': a prototype of a fully solid-state battery employing lithium-ion conductive microcrystalline glass (LICGC™) operated at -30 °C.![]()
Launch of automotive camera-specific optical glass material: Ultra-low expansion glass ceramics (ClearCeram™-Z) adopted for the ultra-low altitude satellite technology test vehicle "Tsubame (SLATS)"![]()
The world's first automotive camera optical glass material is now available: ultra-low expansion microcrystalline glass (クCLEARCERAM™-Z) is used in the ultra-low altitude satellite technology test vehicle 'Yan (SLATS)'.![]()
Participation in the NEDO Project Advanced & Innovative Battery Material Evaluation Technology Development (Phase 2): Start of operation of new aspherical glass molded lens factory![]()
Participate in NEDO project for advanced and innovative battery material evaluation technology development (Phase 2)![]()
Ultra-low expansion glass ceramics (ClearCeram™-Z) adopted for the largest domestic telescope "Seimei": Sale of lithium-ion conductive glass ceramics (LICGC™PW-01)![]()
Confirmation that lithium-ion conductive glass ceramics (LICGC™PW-01) improve lithium-ion battery lifespan: Opening of Ohara Oita Sales Office![]()
Impact-resistant, high-hardness clear glass ceramics (NanoCeram™) adopted as camera protector for the ultra-small optical satellite "KITSUNE"![]()
Impact-resistant, high-hardness clear glass ceramics (NanoCeram™) adopted for high-strength display protective glass for docomo select smartphones![]()
News
O'Hara Optical Glass Adopted for MMX Mars Satellite Explorer
O'Hara-made optical glass was adopted for the wide-angle spectrometer camera "OROCHI" and Raman spectrometer "RAX" on the Mars satellite explorer "MMX". MMX was released into Mars transfer orbit on October 20, 2026, by the H3 rocket No.10. It will conduct observations and sample collection in the Martian atmosphere and is scheduled to return to Earth in fiscal year 2031.
Ohara Rose Garden Opens to the Public on November 15
Ohara Co., Ltd. will open the Ohara Rose Garden to the public on Sunday, November 15, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Admission is free. Planned activities include balloon performances, opportunities to meet and ride ponies, a kids’ park, sales of flower seedlings and vegetables, and resin workshops. This year’s event will be held for one day only.
Change of Email Sending Method (PPAP Discontinued)
From September 18, 2026, when employees send files to customers or business partners via email, the password-protected attachments and PPAP have been discontinued and replaced with a download URL method. Recipients must obtain the file from the URL listed in the email. Emails sent to employees from customers are not affected by this change. We request cooperation to strengthen information security.
Kohara Optical (Hong Kong) Limited to Participate in CIOE 2026
Kohara Optical (Hong Kong) Limited will participate in the 27th China International Optoelectronic Exposition (CIOE 2026). The exhibition will run from September 9 to 11, 2026, at booth 5B62 in Hall 5 of the Shenzhen World Exhibition and Convention Center. Visit the official website for more information.
Kohara Optical to Exhibit at CIOE 2026
Kohara Optical (Hong Kong) Limited will exhibit at the 27th China International Optoelectronic Exposition (CIOE 2026). The event will run from Wednesday, September 9, through Friday, September 11, 2026, at booth 5B62 in Hall 5 of the Shenzhen World Exhibition and Convention Center (Bao'an New Venue). See the official website for details.