Japan´s first corneal contact lenses independently produced by Menicon

In 1950 Kyoichi Tanaka (now the chairman of Menicon) first heard about contact lenses from the wife of a US army officer, who was a regular customer at the well-established optical shop in Nagoya where he was employed. He set himself the task of independently producing contact lenses for Japan. Using aircraft windshield glass and an adapted machining lathe, he succeeded in producing Japan's first prototype contact lenses in as little as three months. Then. in 1952, the Nippon Contact Lens Research Institute was founded, and full-scale production began. This was the parent organization of today's Menicon.

1950s

1951: Corneal contact lenses succesfully introduced to Japan.
1952: Nippon Contact Lens Research Institute founded.
1957: Nippon Contact Lenses Co., Ltd. founded.
1960s


1965: Company renamed Toyo Contact Lens Co., Ltd.
1967: "Menicon" registered as trademark.



1970s

1970: Menicon 8 introduced to the market.
1973: Menicon soft introduced to the market.
1975: Intraocular lenses developed.
1977: Menicon Europe founded in France. International Research Presentation held to commemorate the company´s 25th anniversary (Menicon O2 introduced).
1979: Menicon O2 introduced to the market.

1980s

1982: International Research Presentation held to commemorate the company´s 30th anniversary.
1984: Seki Factory established.
1985: Manufacturate of intraocular lens (IOL) approved in Japan.
1986: Menicon EX introduced to the market.
1987: Tokyo Contact Lens Co., Ltd. and Menicon Co., Ltd. merged to become to new Menicon Co., Ltd. Menicon GmbH founded in Germany.

1990s

1991: Menicon Super EX introduced to the market. International Symposium held to commemorate the company´s 40th anniversary.
1992: Menicon soft 72 introduced to the market. Menicon Pharma founded in France.
1993: Menicon Pharma manufacturing plant for lens care products established in France.
1994: Menicon soft S introduced to the market. Colored IOL (yellow) introduced to the market.
1995: New head office building completed. R&D Center founded. Meni-One lens, an IOL for dogs, approved for manufacture.
1996: Menicon Foundation established at Massachusetts Institue of Technology in the US. Menicon obtained ISO 9001 and CE Mark certifications.
1997: Menicon Z introduced to the market. Meni-One lens, Japan´s first IOL for dogs, introduced to the market.  Meni Flex, a one-piece IOL, introduced to the market. Neitz Co., Ltd. incorporated into the Menicon Group.
1998: Biwajima Building completed as a new logistic center. Medical supplies for ophthalmological treatment introduced to the market.
1999: Giving Light to Guide Dogs with Cataracts" campaign launched.

2000s

2000: Plate displayed in Tamamizuya commemorating the site as the "birthplace of contact lenses" in Japan. Menifocal introduced to the market. Hidenari Tanaka becomes president.
2001: Menicon España founded in Spain. Menicon America founded in the US. Menicon 50th International Symposium held in Japan.
2002: Techno Station founded. Menisoft introduced to the market. Meni-One contact lens for medical
use introduced to the market.
2003: New company Meni-one Co, Ltd. founded. Menicon Holdings Europe founded.
2004: Menicon UK founded.
2005: Menicon One-day introduced to the market. Menicon-Mandarin Asia founded. Menicon obtained the privacy mark certification.
2006: Menicare Soft introduced to the market. Avancy, a foldable intraocular lens, introduced to the
market. NKL Contactlenzen, a Dutch company, acquired.
2007: TINU introduced to the market.
2008: Menicon PremiO introduced to the market. Menicon Singapore, Menicon's first factory in Asia, founded. ROSE K business acquired.
2009: Menicon PremiO Toric introduced to the market. Menicon Two-week Duo introduced to the market. David Thomas Contact Lenses, a British contact lens manufacturer, became a subsidiary.
2010: Tomey, a japanese manufacturer of lens care products, became a wholly-owned subsidiary in order to expand range of care products. Company name changed to Menicon Nect. Logado Corporation became a wholly-owned subsidiary.