Nikon Corporation was founded in 1917 in Tokyo, Japan, as Nippon Kogaku K.K., initially producing optical instruments for the military and scientific industries before pivoting to consumer cameras and lenses in the post-war period.
The company generates approximately $5.5 billion in annual revenue, with its Imaging Products division — including the Z-series mirrorless cameras — serving professional photographers and enthusiasts in over 150 countries.
Headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Nikon trades on the Tokyo Stock Exchange under ticker 7731 today.
About Nikon
| Sector | Technology / Industrials |
| Industry | Optical Instruments & Precision Equipment |
| CEO | Muneaki Tokunari |
| Website | nikon.com |
| Headquarters | Minato, Tokyo, Japan |
| Founded | 1917 |
| Status | Public (TSE: 7731) |
Nikon Founders
Nippon Kogaku K.K. (collective founding)
Established in July 1917 through the merger of three Japanese optical manufacturers — Fujii Lens, Tokyo Keiki Seisaku-jo, and Iwaki Glass — to produce precision optical instruments for the Imperial Japanese military
Masayuki Mori
First president of the newly merged Nippon Kogaku; oversaw early operations and industrial optical production
Nikon History
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1917
Three Japanese optical manufacturers merge to form Nippon Kogaku K.K. in Tokyo, producing binoculars, telescopes, and optical glass primarily for the Imperial Japanese military.
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1948
Nippon Kogaku launches the Nikon I, its first 35mm camera, competing with German optics manufacturers and establishing the Nikon brand name internationally for the first time.
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1959
Nikon launches the F-mount SLR camera system, which remains in production for over six decades and becomes one of the most successful camera lens mounts in photography history.
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1988
The company officially renames itself Nikon Corporation, abandoning the Nippon Kogaku name and fully committing to the Nikon brand that had defined its consumer products since 1948.
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2018
Nikon launches the Z-series full-frame mirrorless camera system with a new Z-mount, marking its strategic response to Sony's dominance of the mirrorless camera market since 2013.
FAQs
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Who owns Nikon?
Nikon is publicly traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Japan Trustee Services Bank and other domestic institutional investors are its largest shareholders. No single entity holds a controlling stake. It operates as an independent Japanese corporation. -
When did Nikon come out?
Nikon was founded in 1917 as Nippon Kogaku K.K. in Tokyo. It launched the Nikon I camera in 1948 and officially renamed itself Nikon Corporation in 1988. It has traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange since 1949. -
Is Nikon an American company?
No. Nikon is a Japanese company founded in 1917 and headquartered in Minato, Tokyo. Nikon Inc., based in Melville, New York, is its US subsidiary. The parent company is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. -
Who made the Nikon logo?
The Nikon wordmark logo — bold uppercase letters in a distinctive yellow and black style — was developed in-house and has been refined over decades. The current version has been in consistent use since the 1990s across all camera and lens products.