Vol.11 Issue 2 / Latest topics 1Shimadzu Corporation Marked the 150th Anniversary

  1. Genzo Shimadzu Sr., the founder

    Genzo Shimadzu Jr., the first president

    Kiyamachi Store, circa 1895

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

    Shimadzu Corporation, founded in Kyoto in 1875, will celebrate its 150th anniversary on March 31, 2025. To commemorate this, various events and campaigns are being held throughout 2025.

    Everything starts with a dream

    In 2025, Shimadzu Corporation will celebrate its 150th year of operation.The company was founded by Genzo Shimadzu Sr. to manufacture instruments for physics and chemistry use. Genzo’s aspiration was to contribute to society through science and technology. And he was the first in Japan to succeed in launching a manned civilian light balloon.His vision has been passed down in the Shimadzu Group through generations and is alive today. Genzo’s balloon is a symbol of the persistent striving to realize dreams that is in Shimadzu’s DNA. Society will surely continue to change, and humanity will continue to face new challenges. For our part, we will continue to make customers’ dreams our own, and strive to realize our wishes for the well-being of mankind and the earth. Toward the realization of an empathetic society 150 years innovation.

    Genzo Shimadzu Sr. and Jr.

    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.

  2. The Nexera series of high performance liquid chromatographs uses kintsugi to attach the plastic parts (left). Unique patterns have been applied to the Brevis GC-2050 gas chromatograph using AI image generation (right).

    Exhibition of 5 color variations inspired by the five elements of Chinese philosophy

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

  3. Special Projects of 150th Aniversary

    Throughout 2025, numerous special projects are being undertaken worldwide. Here are a few highlights.

  4. Special Dialogue: Nobel Prize Winning Researchers DialogueShinya Yamanaka, Director Emeritus of the Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, was the first in the world to successfully generate induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells), which paved the way for regenerative medicine to treat many intractable diseases and injuries. Koichi Tanaka of Shimadzu Corporation developed the laser ionization mass spectrometer and engages in research related to proteins, which play important roles in the structure and function of living organisms. In this Special Dialogue, these two Nobel Prize-winning researchers discuss how they create innovation. We hope their discussion will motivate future researchers.

  1. 150th Anniversary AnimationGenzo Shimadzu, the founder of Shimadzu Corporation, is depicted as a symbol of Shimadzu’s challenge from the perspective of an employee.

  1. Shimadzu Products x Kyoto Traditional CraftsAs one aspect of our 150th anniversary commemorative project,Shimadzu Corporation has manufactured four concept models that integrate our products with the traditional craft art techniques of Special Dialogue Kyoto. The traditional handicrafts of nishijin-ori weaving, kyoyuzen (dyeing), kyo-shikki (lacquerware), and kintsugi (golden repair) have been applied to the Nexera series of high performance liquid chromatographs, the Brevis GC-2050 gas chromatograph, the MobileDaRt Evolution MX8 Version mobile X-ray system, and the BresTome head and breast TOF-PET system.

  1. 150th Anniversary Logo and Key VisualShimadzu 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.

    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.