It was sold as a medical supply, “Neuquinon” (medicine for congestive heart failure), for the first time in 1974. Although it was widespread in the United States as an antioxidant supplement from early on, it was approved for sale as a food product in 2001. It became a smash hit in Japan from its inception.
Japan is the only CoQ10 producing country with five companies responsible for production: Kaneka (world share about 70%) and Nisshin Pharma, Asahi Kasei Pharma, Kyowa Hakko Kogyo Co., LTD, and Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company INC.

In the summer of 1949, Tatsuro Uji, a surgeon in the hospital which is a part of the University of Tokyo, visited Olympus Optical Co. Ltd. The purpose of his visit was to make a request for the development of a device able to take photographs inside the stomach. At that time, there were two methods of diagnosing stomach ailments: by X-ray and by gastroscope. X-rays however, weren’t able to examine the state of the stomach wall and it was not possible to take a photograph of the stomach with the gastroscope. As well, the gastroscope carried the risk of damaging the esophagus.

Mutsuo Sugiura, chief engineer at Olympus received the request and worked with his subordinate Shoji Fukami on the development of a device which could take photographs.

Sugiura came from Shizuoka Prefecture. After learning photography in Tokyo, he went to work for the manufacturer Takachiho Seisakusyo in 1938. Before then, he had carried out research and development of such things as cameras and microscopes.

The biggest challenge was that the inside of the stomach had no source of light. It was  necessary to solve this problem and initially, progress was difficult. But Sugiura believed that, “a photograph can exist as long as there are light, a lens and film.” The research continued. The following year, 1950, the first gastrocamera in the world was completed. It was introduced in November at the Japan Surgical Society with the name “Gastrocamera.”

As a result of this invention, it became possible to make a direct diagnosis of the stomach, contributing greatly to the early detection and treatment of stomach cancer and stomach ulcers. The technology has been applied to the development of both the fiberscope and videoscope.

In 1990, Sugiura was posthumously awarded the Eiji Yoshikawa Cultural Prize together with Uji and Fukami for “exceptional results in the early detection and treatment of stomach cancer and stomach ulcers and for his work which contributed greatly to the development of medicine in the world.” He had passed away in 1986 at the age of 68.

The protein in the human body is composed of 20 kinds of amino acid.
The amino acid is being used in various areas of medical treatment; this is one area of high expectations in the continuing research and development of the substance.

･Pre- and post-surgery nourishment
In each country there have been improvements such as adding electrolyte to amino acid, leading to the spread of high calorie intravenous feeding. As a result, the pre- and post- operative nutrition management has become feasible, with recognized increases in surgical success rates, to the benefit of vast numbers of patients. 

･Treatment of liver failure and nourishment of patient with renal failure
The change of amino acid balance in the blood of patients with liver failure can cause hepatic encephalopathy.
An amino acid preparation has been developed to prevent the onset of the disease by supplying the body with the necessary amino acid to improve efficacy of treatment.
The metabolite of protein cannot be excreted in cases of chronic renal failure, so that limiting protein is needed.
It is now possible to maintain a patient’s nutritional state, preventing the drop of renal function and supplying the necessary amino acids.

･Other use
Glutamine: Treatment of ulcer
Arginine: Immunity reinforcement action
There are many pharmaceuticals in which these amino acids are a raw material: antibiotics, antihypertensive medicines, oral diabetic medicine, antiviral drugs, and so forth.

Since there are no seams made with the WholeGarment, knitted articles are easy and comfortable to wear. All-new structures and sophisticated patterns can be knitted. It has become possible to create styles which were previously only made using woven textiles.

This manufacturing technique has not only made the labor-intensive production process more economical but has created a system  which manages both patternmaking and design in this knowledge-intensive business.

With WholeGarment, the apparel maker can consistently plan and design using virtual samples on PC for the manufacturing process.

Shima Seiki Mfg (島精機製作所). which integrates the production of both hardware and software within its company, from super-precision tool parts to computer programs has always aimed at the development of new technology and has challenged the unknown for the company concept “Ever Onward”.

In 2005, digital camera sales were dominated by Canon (キヤノン), with a market share of 21.7%. SONY (ソニー) came in second with 17.3%, Eastman Kodak (コダック) with 16.9%,
OLYMPUS (オリンパス) in 4th place with 10.8%, and Nikon (ニコン) following with 10.4%. These four Japanese companies accounted for 60.2% of worldwide digital camera sales.

In 2004, the 1st place belonged to Canon, the 2nd to SONY, 3rd to OLYMPUS, 4th to Kodak, and 5th to FUJI FILM. These four Japanese companies monopolized the market.

In 2003, the market was led by SONY with a market share of 23.0%. Second place belonged to Canon with 21.7% of sales. OLYMPUS and FUJI FILM had 15%, and Nikon had 10.9%. These Japanese companies accounted for 85.6% of digital camera sales in that year.

In August 2004, CASIO announced production of the standard slim digital camera with zoom lens. The use of ceramic lens with a high refractive index permitted a decrease in dimensions, allowing the camera to fit in the palm of a hand.

In 1988, Tron computers for U.S. elementary and junior high schools were obstructed, There, Windows OS monopolized the personal computer industry.
Tron extended its software to cellular phones, digital cameras, televisions, printers, car engines and navigation systems, as well as point of sales systems.  Now it is used in 60% of industrial equipment and information appliances. Microsoft eventually compromised with Tron in a joint development of a new OS that was completed in 2003. It had the 60% share in the industry.

There are both wrist and upper arm Omron home blood pressure monitors. The latter is used by 70% of users.  Recently the automatic upper arm type, in which the user simply inserts an arm, has sold well.
In Japan the majority of people over 30 years old have high blood pressure and there are more than thirty million presumed sufferers. There are few easily recognized symptoms of high blood pressure, therefore many of us do not notice this disease. Clinicians say blood pressure should be measured for good health care. In particular, high blood pressure early in the morning can’t easily be monitored at the hospital raising the risk of cerebral or myocardial infarction. Thus you should measure blood pressure for yourself, by all means.
In 2003, the Japanese Society of Hypertension announced “the guideline for setting the conditions of home blood pressure measurement”, and people paid attention to the importance of daily blood pressure measurement. Doctors recognized the importance of continuous measurement at home. People come to understand the importance of measurement at home, so there is a growing demand for monitors.
Omron contributes to preventive medicine under the concept of “home medical care”, and tries to achieve high quality products and services.
1961: The Idea room of the Central R&D laboratory (OMRON Corporation) was founded and healthy engineering was begun to be investigated.
  64: The bio-laboratory was also founded and portable blood pressure monitors were begun to be developed.
  73: The electronic home blood pressure monitor (first type) went on the market. 
  82: Omron entered the overseas market with the electronic home blood pressure monitor.
  91: The digital automatic blood pressure monitor with a fuzzy function went on the market.
2002: The wrist blood pressure monitor with advanced positioning sensor went on the market for the first time in Japan.
  03: OMRON HEALTHCARE Co., Ltd.(オムロン ヘルスケア株式会社) was established. (Secession from OMRON.)
  05: The blood pressure monitor which detected pulse waves went on the market. (The pulse wave is detected at the radial artery of the wrist automatically for the first time in the world.) “Blood Pressure Monitor With Augmentation Index” (HEM-90000AI) <”FujiSankei Business i. 2007/4/7 metabolic syndrome Asking the executive director: Hiroshi Oshita>
  06: The automatic upper arm type blood pressure monitor “detecting morning hypertension” went on the market for the first time. “SpotArm” (HEM-1010)

Minebea started to produce miniature ball bearings in 1951. They are 22mm or less and are used in information and communications equipment, such as personal computers, home electrical appliances, and car motors. Minebea has the largest market share of its class in the world.

KITANIHON SEIKI CO., LTD.(北日本精機株式会社) has 70% share of micro bearing sales. It manufactures special small bearings with an internal diameter ranging from several cm to mm. Its original technology was selected by the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency as one of “300 small and medium enterprises that are producing energetically in June, 2006.