Nikon Celebrates the 100th Anniversary of its Microscope Business

April 1, 2025

Nikon Corporation (Nikon) celebrates 100 years^*1 in the microscope business this year. We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our customers, researchers, engineers, and all of our stakeholders for supporting the growth of the business over the past 100 years.

To commemorate this milestone, the Healthcare Business Unit at Nikon created a 100th anniversary logo for the microscope business. Various events will also be held from July 2025 to celebrate the 100th anniversary at Nikon locations in Japan and overseas. Further information will be released on the Healthcare Business Unit homepage.

Nikon was founded in 1917 with the aim of producing optical instruments domestically. It released the JOICO Microscope^*2 in 1925, and has since been contributing to the development of science and the industry with its microscopes. Nikon's optical microscopes are utilized in a wide range of fields, from science and healthcare to industrial use.

Over the next 100 years, Nikon will continue to contribute to the development of science and industry with its products and services in order to meet the expectations of society and its customers.

*1100 years from the release of the JOICO Microscope
*2JOICO was named after the initials of the name of the company at the time, Japan Optical Industry Co. The JOICO Microscope is exhibited in the Nikon Museum, located in the Nikon Corporation Global Headquarters / Innovation Center.

Message from Muneaki Tokunari, Representative Director and President

Since its establishment in 1917, Nikon has consistently sought the limitless potential of light while meeting customer expectations and building trust. Microscopes have been one of Nikon's flagship products among its core offerings, and for 100 years since the launch of the “JOICO Microscope” in 1925, these technologies have played a significant role in academic research, medical, clinical, and industrial fields. Nikon's optical technology has been making the invisible world visible.
Nikon readily accepts the challenge to create technologies that offer ever greater innovation and value to create a better customer and end user experience. Going forward Nikon is committed to focus on contributions for a more prosperous and sustainable society aiming to be “A key technology solutions company in a global society where humans and machines co-create seamlessly”.