History of Kracie
1887 to 1950s | 1960s to 1970s | 1980s to 1990s | 2000s to 2010s
| Year | Corporate History | Historical events | |||
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| 1887 | Established as Tokyo Cotton Trading Company in Kanegafuchi, Sumida, Tokyo. |
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| 1889 | Becomes listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, and launches operations of its cotton spinning factory |
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Promulgation of the Constitution of the Empire of Japan Opening of the railway between Shimbashi and Kobe |
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| 1893 | Renamed as Kanegafuchi Spinning K.K. | ||||
| 1894 | "Bell" mark is registered as a corporate trademark |
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The Japanese-Sino War | ||
| 1903 | Becomes the first Japanese company to release a company newsletter, "KANEBO -NO-KITEKI". |
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The first-ever manned, self-propelled flight by the Wright brothers | ||
| 1905 | Establishes Kanebo Mutual Aid Association, a pioneering health-insurance system in Japan | The Russo-Japanese War and the Treaty of Portsmouth | |||
| 1916 | Commences construction of the Yodogawa Plant, the largest cotton-fabric processing facility in the East. | ||||
| 1919 | Establishes a new factory in Shanghai. | The Treaty of Versailles | |||
| 1923 | Establishes a free medical clinic in Hyogo (Kanebo Memorial Hospital). | The Great Kanto Earthquake | |||
| 1931 | Establishes Kanebo Service Company K.K. (subsequently opening service outlets in and outside Japan). | The Manchurian Incident | |||
| 1934 | Establishes Kanebo-Mutoh Institute of Physical and Chemical Research, the largest private research institute in Japan at the time with about 300 researchers |
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| 1936 | Registers the highest sales among private enterprises. Introduces Kanebo Silk Soap. |
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| 1939 | Invents the first Japanese-made synthetic fiber "Kanebian". | Outbreak of World War II | |||
| 1944 | Merges Kanebo and Kanegafuchi Jitsugyo into Kanegafuchi Industrial Company K.K. | ||||
| 1945 | Loses almost all business facilities inside and outside Japan in World War II. | End of World War II | |||
| 1946 | Commences corporate reconstruction work, and renames itself Kanegafuchi Spinning. | ||||
| 1947 | Launches the 3S (Speed, Service and Saving) campaign, and introduces a new company emblem, company flag and company song. | Enforcement of the Constitution of Japan | |||
| 1949 | Introduces the use of roller skates for spinning machine piecing work as a revolutionary method to enhance work performance |
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| 1955 | Establishes Kanebo do Brasil S.A. |
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| 1957 | Opens a technical school within the Takasago Factory |
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The first landing of Japan's wintering party in the Antarctic. | ||
| Year | Corporate History | Historical events | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | Issues the "Declaration of Comprehensive Beauty", and records the highest sales and profits in the cotton spinning industry. | The 1960 Rome Olympics | |||
| 1962 | Receives the Prime Minister's Award for the company's export performance. | ||||
| 1964 | Expands into the food business with the establishment of Kanebo-Harris, Ltd. | Opening of Tokaido Shinkansen express railway line The 1965 Tokyo Olympics |
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| 1965 | Merges with Tachibana Confectionary to enter the market of frozen desserts "Chewing Bon" becomes a huge hit Opens Kanebo Laboratory in Paris |
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| 1966 | Establishes Kanebo Soap Sales and commences production and sales of Kanebo Silk Soap Assumes the business rights of Yamashiro Pharmaceuticals to expand into the pharmaceutical business. |
The Beatles visits Japan | |||
| 1969 | Launches operations at the cosmetics Factory in Odawara |
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Lunar landing of the Apollo 11 | ||
| 1970 | Issues the "Declaration of Fashion Business Launch". |
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The 1970 Osaka Expo | ||
| 1971 | Establishes Kanebo Soap Sales (subsequently becoming Kanebo Home Products) and Kanebo Soap Manufacturing Renamed as Kanebo, Ltd. Merges with Izumi Confectionary Company to strengthen the frozen desserts business and enter the chocolate market Assumes the business rights of Nakataki Pharmaceuticals |
Nixon Shock | |||
| 1972 | Foundation of Kanebo Pharmaceutical Sales Tie-up with Watanabe Confectionary that is merged into Kanebo the following year (launch of 1st "pot shiruko", instant azuki-bean soup with rice cake) |
The 1972 Sapporo Winter Olympics | |||
| 1974 | Foundation of Kanebo Pharmaceuticals (renamed from Kanebo Pharmaceuticals Sales ) | Nixon's resignation | |||
| 1975 | Renames Kanebo Soap Sales as Kanebo Home Products. The R&D dept. wins the Okochi Award for the third time (also in 1957 &1969) gaining worldwide renown for its excellent technology and great contribution to industry. |
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End of the Vietnam War The Ocean Expo in Okinawa |
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| 1976 | Produces non-fried noodles Establishes Kampo Research Laboratory. |
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The 1976 Montreal Olympics | ||
| 1979 | Commences retail product sales at Harrods in London (1st shop in Europe) Establishes Kanebo Fashion Institute |
2nd oil crisis Margaret Thatcher becomes the first female prime minister of Great Britain |
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| Year | Corporate History | Historical events | |||
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| 1980 | Issues the "Declaration of Women's Era", and establishes Kanebo Cosmetics Europe in Zurich, Switzerland. | The Iran-Iraq War | |||
| 1982 | Merges Kanebo Home Products into Kanebo, Ltd. | ||||
| 1984 | Launches "Lady 80 Bio Lipsticks" made from biotech material that are to become hypersellers |
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The average life expectancy of Japanese citizens becomes the highest in the world | ||
| 1986 | Opens Kanebo Textile Museum | Chernobyl nuclear reactor accident | |||
| 1987 | Celebrates its 100th anniversary | NY stock market collapse (Black Monday) | |||
| 1988 | Establishes Qingdao Huazhong Pharmaceuticals | ||||
| 1990 | Issues the "Declaration of Artistic Industries" and completes construction of the Kanebo Memorial Hospital. |
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Reunification of Germany Toyohiro Akiyama's becomes the first Japanese citizen in space |
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| 1992 | Completion of Tsushima Factory specialized in toiletries Starts importing and selling the Frisk refreshing breath mints in an alliance with Frisk International in Belgium |
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| 1995 | Moves the head office from Osaka to Minato-ku, Tokyo. | The Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake | |||
| 1999 | Transfers innovative pharmaceuticals business to Nippon Organon. | Introduction of the euro by 11 countries | |||
| Year | Corporate History | Historical events | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Changes its industry classification on stock markets from textile to chemical. | The 2000 Sydney Olympics | |||
| 2001 | Adopts a different Japanese spelling for the company name Kanebo, Ltd., and issues the "Declaration of the Lifestyle Company". | The 9.11 terrorist attacks | |||
| 2002 | Simpro One-touch Haircolor wins the president's award offered to the best packager at the WPO WorldStar Packaging Awards |
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The 2002 FIFA World Cup Japan/Korea | ||
| 2004 | Establishes the Kanebo Beauty Care Laboratory, and transfers the cosmetics business. Launches Kanebo Cosmetics Inc., draws up a corporate restructuring plan, and comes under the support of Industrial Revitalization Corporation of Japan. Adopts a committee-based corporate governance structure, and undergoes capital reduction, stock merger, and allocation of new shares to a third party. |
The 2004 Athens Olympics | |||
| 2005 | Succeeds in granule coating for the first time in Japan Transfers the innovative material development business, is de-listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and Osaka Securities Exchange, and transfers operations of the natural and synthetic fiber business. |
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Opening of Central Japan International Airport Centrair | ||
| 2006 | Completes support from the Industrial Revitalization Corporation of Japan, and gains new sponsorship from Advantage Partners LLP, MKS Partners Limited and Unison Capital, Inc.
Separates the staff department, Toiletries, Pharmaceuticals and Foods Divisions from Kanebo, Ltd., and forms new legal entities. Commences their operations as Kanebo Trinity Holdings, Ltd., Kanebo Home Products, Ltd., Kanebo Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. and Kanebo Foods, Ltd. |
The 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany | |||
| 2007 | Renamed as Kracie. Part of Shinmachi factory registered by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as the "33 Heritage Constellations of Industrial Modernization" |
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Iwami ginzan was registered as a world heritage site | ||
| 2008 | Adoption of the corporate slogan "TAISETSU-NA-KOTO, Kracie" <Kracie, for the important things in life> 1st "Kurashi-ehon" (original picture book) campaign Adopts corporate emblem 20th anniversary of Qingdao Huazhong Pharmaceuticals |
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The 2008 Beijing Olympics | ||
| 2009 | Hoyu to become the largest stockholder. | The inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States Start of the citizen jury system in Japan (May) |
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| 2010 | Adoption of new "Kracie's Vision" | The Vancouver 2010 Olympics The 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa |
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| 2011 | The establishment of a new Kracie awards program | The Great East Japan Earthquake Ogasawara Island and Hiraizumi were registered as a world heritage site |
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| 2012 | Hoyu to acquire 100% shares of Kracie holdings Celebrates its 5th anniversary |
Tokyo Skytree Opens Annular Solar Eclipse The London 2012 Olympics |
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| 2013 | Kracie Pharma Korea Co., Ltd. | Mt. Fuji was registered as a cultural World Heritage Site | |||
| 2014 | Launches 「Dear Beaut HIMAWARI」 | The Sochi 2014 Olympics The 2010 FIFA World Cup Brazil Japanese consumption tax was raised from 5% to 8% |
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| 2015 | Ichikami wins silver prize in toiletries category of JPM Creative Solution Award Acquired the right to sell mentos in Japan |
Hokuriku Shinkansen commenced services Japanese Social Security and Tax Number System came into effect |
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| 2016 | Celebrates 「Nerunerunerune」 30th anniversary Acquired the right to sell Chupa Chups in Japan |
The Rio 2016 Olympics Smartphone game 「Pokemon Go」launches in Japan |
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| 2017 | Celebrates its 10th anniversary Adoption of new Kracie's Vision 「Our Tomorrow」 Launches 「Lamellance」 |
Premium-Friday begins | |||
