A venture company established in 1932 with a challenging spirit who becomes a solution provider in “healthcare, agriculture and infrastructure” from a pioneer of domestic optical equipment
In September 1932, Tokyo Kogaku Kikai Kabushikikaisha (Tokyo Optical Co., Ltd.) was established with the aim of domestically producing surveying instruments upon request from the Army Ministry, based on the surveying instruments division of K. Hattori & Co., Ltd.
In 1989, the company name was changed to Topcon Corporation. We have established a solid position as a comprehensive precision optical equipment manufacturer with a focus on optomechatronic surveying instruments and ophthalmic medical devices .
Since the 1990s, through overseas M&As and alliances, we have expanded our business into new fields such as automatic control technology for construction machinery, precision GNSS, and IT agriculture.
We are working to solve the societal challenges in healthcare, agriculture and infrastructure by DX solution, which makes full use of loT and network technology based on the proprietary technology cultivated since our establishment.
Founded in 1932 A pioneer in optical equipment made in Japan
In 1932, Tokyo Kogaku Kikai Kabushikikaisha (Tokyo Optical Co., Ltd.) was established based on the surveying instruments division of K. Hattori & Co., Ltd. (currently Seiko Holdings Corporation), and by acquiring the lens manufacturing facilities of Katsuma Kogaku Kikai Co. Ltd., with the aim of producing surveying instruments domestically upon request from the Army Ministry. Initially, the company produced surveying instruments, binoculars and cameras, as well as sniper scopes used mainly by the Army.
After the war, the company focused on manufacturing binoculars and exported them mainly to the United States. In addition, the company produced surveying instruments and contributed to the nation’s postwar reconstruction and development.
In 1947, the company started Ophthalmic and Medical Instruments business. In 1950, the company started manufacturing and sales of type-I refractometer upon request from Eyeglass Wholesalers’ Association who wanted “Made in Japan” refractometer. In the mid-1950s, company’s sales and profit expanded on the back of increasing demands for cameras in Japan. In 1963, the company launched the world’s first single-lens reflex camera with a TTL full-aperture metering system. The camera also received high praise from overseas market.
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HQ Factory in 1933
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Lens manufacturing factory in 1960
1970- Numerous hit products using optomechatronics technology
In 1970, the company established sales companies in the Netherlands and the United States that leaded to our global expansion. In 1979, the company established a sales company in Singapore. In Japan, the company also strengthened its domestic and overseas production and sales bases by establishing sales subsidiaries for surveying instruments and medical instruments and establishing production bases in Fukushima Prefecture.
In 1978 and 1979, the explosive success of the RM -100 refractometer and DM-C1/C2 optical distance meters has transformed the company’s business structure and established a solid position as a comprehensive precision optical equipment manufacturer.
In 1986, our company’s first overseas production base was established in Hong Kong. We also expanded our global business by establishing sales companies in Asia.
In 1989, the name of the company was changed to TOPCON CORPORATION to reform its corporate culture and strengthen its corporate capabilities.
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RM-100
Refractometer -
DM-C1/C2
Optical Distance Meter -
GTS-3series
Electronic Total Station
1990- Expanding the business field through overseas M&A strategy
The company acquired automatic control technology of construction machinery and precision GNSS technology in 1994 and 2000, respectively. M&As of two U.S venture companies have laid the foundation for the rapid growth of the business onward.
In 2006, the company launched the world’s first 3D OCT that combines features of OCT (optical coherence tomography) and a fundus camera.
In 2008, the company made a takeover bid for Sokkia Co., LTD. to strengthen the international competitiveness of its positioning business.
In addition, the company accelerated business expansion by developing new businesses through M&As, such as IT Agriculture business and ophthalmic network business in 2006, mobile control business in 2007, 3D laser scanner business in 2008, and ophthalmic therapeutic laser market in 2010.
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IT Construction
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IT Agriculture
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3D OCT-1000
Optical Coherence Tomography
2010- Accelerate global investment
Since 2011, through business structure reforms (selection and concentration), the company have been able to establish a strong corporate structure that is not vulnerable from change of external environment and have concentrated management resources on high-growth businesses.
In 2013, the company launched fully automatic OCT (3D OCT), which enables fundus tomographic images and fundus images to be taken by touch panel operations only.
From 2014, the company accelerated its global investment. IT Agriculture business was expanded through multiple M&As in 2014 and 2015. In 2017, the company established promotion base in the U.S for IoT business in Eye Care Business. In 2018, the company created an eye disease screening business through the acquisition of an IoT system development company in Finland.
By combining advanced IoT and IT technologies, the company strives to solve the societal challenges in healthcare, agriculture and infrastructure through DX Solutions.
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3D OCT-1 Maestro
Fully automatic OCT -
Eye disease screening business
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IT Agriculture
