| 1920 |
Founded "Coffee Shop Kimura Store" in Fukutomi-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama City. Started wholesale roasting and processing of coffees from various countries and food sales (later moved to Aioi-cho, then to Sumiyoshi-cho) |
| 1920 |
Started manufacturing and sales of Key Coffee's first hit product, "Coffee Syrup" |
| 1920 |
Fumiji Shibata founded "Coffee Shop Kimura Store" in Fukutomi Town, Naka Ward, Yokohama. Started wholesale roasting and processing of coffees from various countries and sale of foodstuffs (later moved to Aioi Town, then to Sumiyoshi Town) |
| 1921 |
Lost the store in Sumiyoshi-cho due to the Great Kanto Earthquake. Reestablished in Yoshida-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama City after 10 days. Built a workshop and started business with roasting machines and other equipment |
| 1923 |
Opened Tokyo branch |
| 1923 |
Established main office and factory, began full-scale production of coffee syrup. Quality control system gained reputation and became a big hit |
| 1924 |
Established new headquarters and factory, and began full-scale production of coffee syrup. Gained reputation for quality control system and became a big hit |
| 1924 |
Opened Osaka Branch |
| 1925 |
Opened Osaka branch |
| 1925 |
Expanded manufacturing facilities at Yokohama main store to strengthen soft drink production. Also started manufacturing "canned coffee" |
| 1928 |
Expanded manufacturing facilities at Yokohama main store to strengthen soft drink production system. Also started manufacturing "Canned Coffee." Changed store name to "Kimura Coffee Shop" and adopted "Key Brand" |
| 1928 |
Renamed store to "Kimura Coffee Shop" and adopted "Key Brand" |
| 1928 |
Launched "Key Can". Features full English labeling and a distinctive "key" mark design. This canned coffee allowed consumers to enjoy the original flavor of coffee beans at home |
| 1929 |
Established Dalian branch and Nagoya branch |
| 1929 |
Opened Dalian Branch |
| 1930 |
Launched the first Key Brand product other than coffee, "Key Lactose (Lactic Acid Beverage)." Started "Taito Coffee Farm" business in Taiwan |
| 1930 |
Launched first non-coffee Key Brand product, "Key Lactose" (lactic acid beverage) |
| 1930 |
Opened Hakata Branch |
| 1930 |
Started "Taitung Coffee Farm" project in Taiwan. Born in Taitung Bay in southeastern Taiwan, marking the first step toward realizing a comprehensive coffee industry |
| 1931 |
Launched "Key Red Tea Syrup," "Key Chocolate Syrup," and "Key Maple Syrup" |
| 1932 |
Established Keijo Branch and Kyoto Branch. Launched "X’mas Coffee." Flavored coffee with roasted coffee, unsalted butter, and brandy |
| 1932 |
Opened Keijo Branch |
| 1932 |
Started "Chiayi Coffee Farm" project in Taiwan |
| 1932 |
Opened Kyoto Branch |
| 1932 |
In December, release of "X'mas Coffee". Flavor coffee made by adding unsalted butter to strongly roasted coffee and pouring brandy over it. |
| 1933 |
Established Keizaiji Farm in Okinawa and started coffee cultivation business |
| 1934 |
Established Fengtian Branch |
| 1934 |
Fengtian Branch Office opened. |
| 1935 |
Acquired "Tricolore" in Ginza, Tokyo. The owner traveled to the U.S. to have coffee tasters W.H. Bennett evaluate quality. Launched company magazine "Koeikaiho." Opened Shin-Kyo Branch. Developed and launched domestically produced "Key Drip Percolator" |
| 1935 |
Acquired the "Tricolore" in Ginza, Tokyo. |
| 1935 |
The owner traveled to the United States to have a world-renowned coffee appraiser W.H. Bennett evaluate the quality of coffee harvested at a Taiwanese farm. |
| 1935 |
Founded the company magazine "Koeikai Report". |
| 1935 |
Shinkyō Branch Office opened. |
| 1935 |
Developed and launched a domestically produced "Key Drip Percolator". |
| 1936 |
Started importing coffee from Taiwan farms |
| 1936 |
Start of the arrival of coffee from Taiwanese farms. |
| 1937 |
Established Tianjin Branch, Shanghai Branch, Jinan Liaison Office, and Beijing Branch. Opened a cider factory in Haikou, Hainan Island, supplying the navy under the "Yamato" brand. Opened a coffeehouse restaurant "Da Kora" on Nanjing Road |
| 1937 |
Tianjin Branch opened. |
| 1938 |
Unified Dalian Branch and various branch offices in Manchuria under the name "Manchurian Kimura Coffee Shop." Started manufacturing substitute coffee, purchasing sweet potatoes and other beans |
| 1938 |
Shanghai Branch opened. |
| 1938 |
Jinan Liaison Office, branch office, and Beijing Branch opened. |
| 1938 |
Established "Kimura Coffee Haikou Refreshing Beverage Factory" in Haikou, Hainan Island, producing cider. Started supplying to the navy under the "Yamato" brand. |
| 1938 |
Opened a three-story coffee shop restaurant "Da Kelei" on Nanjing Road. |
| 1939 |
Established Harbin Branch Office |
| 1939 |
Dalian Branch and various Manchurian branch offices were unified and called "Manchuria Kimura Coffee Shops". |
| 1939 |
Started manufacturing substitute coffee, purchasing sweet potatoes and Banzi beans. |
| 1940 |
Supervised branch offices across Manchuria and called "Manchuria Kimura Coffee Shop" |
| 1940 |
Harbin Main Office opened. |
| 1942 |
Unable to produce coffee syrup due to raw material shortages |
| 1942 |
Unable to produce coffee syrup due to raw material shortages. |
| 1943 |
Main office and Yokohama were destroyed in air raids. Overseas branches and farms were also seized. Many domestic branches were also destroyed in war damages |
| 1943 |
Main store was destroyed in the Yokohama air raid. Due to defeat, overseas branches and farms were confiscated. Many domestic branches, including the main store, were also destroyed in war. |
| 1945 |
Relocated main functions to Tokyo |
| 1946 |
Established Kimura Industries Co., Ltd. to handle coffee bean imports. Moved Hakata branch and renamed it Fukuoka Branch |
| 1946 |
Established Kimura Sangyo Co., Ltd., engaged in importing coffee beans. |
| 1946 |
Relocated Hakata Branch and renamed it Fukuoka Branch. |
| 1948 |
Launched "NEAR COFFEE" 300g can. A substitute coffee that prioritized taste and quality even amid post-war material shortages |
| 1948 |
Release of 'NEAR COFFEE' 300g can. Despite the severe post-war material shortages, a substitute coffee that emphasizes flavor and quality was launched. |
| 1949 |
Showa 24 (1949) |
