Shimadzu Corporation will Mark the 150th Anniversary

Shimadzu Corporation, founded in Kyoto in 1875, will celebrate its 150th anniversary on March 31, 2025. To commemorate this, we have launched a special website today.

150th anniversary logo was selected from among design proposals solicited from employees

Genzo Shimadzu Sr. and Jr.

Genzo Shimadzu Sr., the founder

Genzo Shimadzu Jr., the first president

Shimadzu Corporation was established on March 31, 1875. Genzo Shimadzu Sr, a craftsman of Buddhist altars in Kyoto, was inspired by the idea that Japan should establish itself as a leader in science, and began to manufacture educational physics and chemistry instruments. Genzo Shimadzu Jr, who followed in the footsteps of Genzo Sr., developed the family business into a company and took on new challenges one after another, creating the prototype of the current company.
 

Kiyamachi Store, circa 1895

Educational physics and chemistry instruments collected in the Shimadzu Foundation Memorial Museum

150th Anniversary Website

The 150th Anniversary Website, which opened today, January 6, features a message by Yasunori Yamamoto, Shimadzu Corporation President and CEO, and "SHIMADZU DNA," which traces the company's DNA from its founding to the present, as well as information on its 150 years of progress and challenges.

Visit 150th Anniversary Website
 

The website is available in English, Japanese and Chinese versions. More content will be added in the future, and "150 Years Special Interview" will feature talks between Shimadzu Corporation insiders and outside professionals.

150th Anniversary Logo and Key Visual

150th anniversary logo and key visual.
Proposals for the logo were solicited from employees. Both are inspired by balloons.

Shimadzu Group employees in Japan and overseas submitted design proposals for the 150th anniversary logo. After a review by an in-house committee and design experts from outside the company, the design was chosen to feature a balloon. 

The motif derives from Shimazu Genzo Sr.’s successful launch of Japan's first private manned balloon on December 6, 1877. It expresses the Shimadzu DNA of continuous efforts and challenges, and conveys the message that Shimadzu will continue to take on new challenges. 

The key visual is also based on the balloon motif. The colorful circles represent the each individual’s unique dreams and show how diverse people relate to and connect with those dreams. The overall visual message is that we will carry on the "DNA" of our founding and bring about innovation.

A woodcut titled “Illustration of Balloon Test” by the artist Kubota Beisen,
which records a manned balloon flight in 1877

Contributing to Society through Science and Technology. The spirit of the Shimadzu Corporation has remained unchanged since its founding and has been passed on to the Shimadzu Group around the world as its corporate philosophy. Shimadzu will continue to take on the challenge of realizing people's wishes and contributing to society.