On December 25, 1926, in the Hamamatsu area of Japan, the letter “イ” (a Japanese katakana character, pronounced “e”) was electronically transmitted and displayed on the first time on a cathode ray tube. To Professor Kenjiro Takayanagi – later called “the father of Japanese television” – this was the moment when something entirely new had been introduced to the world.

From that point on, this television technology transformed the lives of people all over the world. It also led to the creation of a company called Hamamatsu Photonics that works with “photons” or particles of light.

Hamamatsu Photonics products and technology include optical sensors, light sources, and systems that use these components. They are applied to various new technologies and devices to support people’s lives and to help achieve a more comfortable and prosperous society. For example, our products are widely used for state-of-the-art medical equipment, test and inspection systems, microscopes that reveal the functions of cells, and giant telescopes that explore the mysteries of the universe.

We take pride in the fact that our photonics technology is a Key Enabling Technology for great things. We are a company that still creates totally original things not yet found in our world.

Our research aims for something not yet achieved. Developing technologies that are thought impossible can sometimes be a grueling experience, but it can also lead to unexpected results. We believe that such efforts bring new value for people and create new industries and prosperity for our world. To carry on the spirit of Professor Kenjiro Takayanagi and make Hamamatsu a base for photonics technology, we will continue our efforts to build a foundation that will serve as an essential cornerstone for the future.