Since its founding in 1923, MIKASA X-RAY has built a history of more than 100 years.
Here, we look back on that journey.
Founding of Mikasa Pharmaceutical Laboratory
At a time when Japan was still in the afterglow of victory in the Russo-Japanese War, founder Takashi Oki established Mikasa Pharmaceutical Laboratory to manufacture and sell contrast agents for gastric X-ray imaging.
1923
Takashi Oki founded MIKASA X-RAY in Shiba Ward, Tokyo, as a manufacturer and seller of the gastric X-ray contrast agent "Mikabarium" (trademark).
1924
Quality inspection report for barium sulfate for X-ray diagnosis: Tokyo Hygienic Laboratory, Ministry of Home Affairs.
Mikabarium test report (sales permit)
1924
Began sales of X-ray films by Konishiroku Photo Industry Co., Ltd.
1936
Began sales of X-ray films by Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
New Surugadai office building
1946
Began manufacturing and sales of the compact X-ray system "MIKASA BABY".
MIKASA BABY
1949
Utility model registration for "film holder frame for radiography" (No. 363351).
1950
Utility model registration for "portable X-ray system" (No. 376323).
Global expansion of compact X-ray systems
A student studying at The Ohio State University brought a compact X-ray system and introduced it there, marking Mikasa's first step into overseas markets.
1952
Utility model registration for "holding device for X-ray generator or X-ray tube container" (No. 391934).
1952
Following its introduction at The Ohio State University, the compact X-ray system entered overseas markets for the first time.
1955
Began sales of Philips surgical X-ray system "BV20".
New Mitoshirocho office building
1963
Takeo Oki appointed as Representative Director.
1963
Participated in the 16th General Assembly of the Japan Medical Congress.
Academic exhibition (Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium)
1965
Design registration for "portable X-ray generator" (No. 248870).
1965
"Atomscope 20D" selected and certified as an excellent export product by Tokyo Metropolitan Government.
First exports of "Atomscope 20D" to China and Australia.
1970
"Atomscope 20D" received Tokyo's Excellent Export Product award for the second time.
1972
Began sales of veterinary X-ray systems for military dogs to the U.S. military.
1976
Began manufacturing and sales of portable X-ray systems
"Atomscope HiD" and "Atomscope 20S".
Atomscope 20S
1976
Started business with DLC AUSTRALIA PTY. LTD (Australia).
1977
Started business with VETERINARY X-RAY (U.K.).
1977
Started business with GIERTH GMBH (Germany).
1979
Began manufacturing and sales of the mobile X-ray system "Atomscope 100M".
1979
Began manufacturing and sales of the portable X-ray system "Atomscope 100P".
1979
Began manufacturing and sales of mammography system "Atomscope 50M" (100 units sold).
Atomscope 50M
Compact X-ray systems reaching new heights
As partnerships with overseas distributors expanded, MIKASA X-RAY advanced the development of more robust and lightweight compact X-ray systems for field sites around the world.
1984
Selected by Nikkei as one of Japan's top 1,000 venture businesses.
1987
Began manufacturing and sales of portable X-ray system "Atomscope 903".
1990
Began manufacturing and sales of mammography system "Atomscope 35M" (120 units sold).
Atomscope 35M
1990
Began manufacturing and sales of mobile X-ray system "Atomscope 120M".
Atomscope 120M
1993
Began manufacturing and sales of portable X-ray system "HF80 Series" with proprietary inverter technology.
Atomscope 80HF
1994
Toshio Oki appointed as Representative Director.
1997
Completed construction of new factory (Technical Center).
1999
Began manufacturing and sales of lightweight portable X-ray system "HF8015 Series".
HF8015
2000
Introduced the "Anatomical System" for veterinary X-ray systems.
2002
Technical Center obtained ISO 9001 and ISO 13485 certifications.
Dental X-ray system "MinXray HF70D" obtained UL safety certification.
2003
Recognized by the Hongo Tax Office as an excellent corporate entity.
2004
"HF8015 Series" portable X-ray systems reached 1,500 units sold, becoming a bestseller.
2004
Began manufacturing and sales of high-output portable X-ray system
"HF120/60H".
HF120/60H
2005
Used in developing countries, including field hospitals in Iraq and medically underserved regions.
2006
Portable X-ray system "Mikasa HF100H" obtained SFDA approval (China).
2007
Began manufacturing and sales of portable X-ray system "RHF-1" with resonant inverter technology.
2007
Began manufacturing and sales of rugged lightweight portable X-ray systems,
the "TR Series".
TR Series
2008
Logo trademark registrations completed
(No. 5182914, No. 5182915).
No. 5182914
No. 5182915
2008
Recognized by the Hongo Tax Office as an excellent corporate entity.
Portable X-ray system "Mikasa HF100H" obtained CCC certification (China).
Began manufacturing and sales of high-output portable X-ray system "400M".
Began manufacturing and sales of standard X-ray system "EX9025V".
2009
"RHF-1" portable X-ray system with resonant inverter technology reached 500 units sold.
Challenges in Everest and Space
With their ruggedness and light weight, our systems support medical sites worldwide, including field hospitals and vessels. We continue pushing reliability further through challenges in extreme environments such as Everest and space.
2012
Began manufacturing and sales of the lightweight, compact, battery-powered portable X-ray system "TRB9020H".
Exhibited at ITEM 2012.
TRB9020H
2013
Lightweight portable X-ray system "HF8015 Series" reached 3,000 units sold.
2014
High-output portable X-ray system "HF120/60" reached 1,200 units sold.
Rugged lightweight portable X-ray generator "TR Series" reached 1,000 units sold.
2014
Veterinary "Anatomical System" reached 1,500 units sold.
FK-1A
2015
Integrated diagnostic X-ray system "HF1202H" obtained MDD certification.
2016
Mikasa's portable X-ray business was transferred to MIKASA X-RAY, and operations moved to the new headquarters.
Shuji Shinagawa appointed as the 4th Representative Director.
2017
JIRA 50th Anniversary Celebration
2022
Successfully captured X-ray images at an altitude of 5,364 meters by taking an ultra-compact portable X-ray system into one of the world's harshest environments.
Durability testing on Everest
2023
MIKASA X-RAY 100th Anniversary
2025
Successfully captured the first-ever X-ray images in space during the Fram2 mission.
First-ever X-ray imaging in space achieved