Japanese sheet-glass production began in this decade. And in 1907, Asahi Glass Company was established in Amagaski, Hyogo Prefecture. Major investments were made in facilities, including soda-ash and refractory bricks production. The company overcame initial quality problems and large operating losses and was able meet Japan's sheet glass needs when World War I forced normal imports from Europe to be cut off. Japan immediately changed from an importer to an exporter of glass.

The original plant at Amagasaki, ca.1910.

The Belgian method of producing window glass using hand-blown cylinders was the first process used by Asahi Glass

These photographs made using sensitized glass plates, form a valuable record of our early years when photography was still a novelty in Japan.

Our Makiyama Plant featured the latest production facilities, ca. 1916.

Tokyo Head Office, ca. 1917.

These years marked the start of an Asahi Glass tradition: building factories in the markets they serve, and working in harmony with local society and with respect to local feelings. Our first overseas factory was in China, the Shoko Glass Co. Ltd., established in 1925. Meanwhile, our tradition of technological innovation led first to the adoption of the Fourcault process for sheet-glass production and then to a succession of new technologies.

Securing supplies of silica sand was crucial for glass making. Here we see the raw material being loaded. The Great Tokyo Earthquake in 1923 left the plant in ruins

The Shoko Glass Co. plant, ca. 1925

The Amagasaki Plant after introducing the Fourcault process, ca. 1928.

Corhart refractories casting process.

The caustic soda plant, ca. 1933

A tempered glass demonstration

The diamond mark, first registered as a trademark in 1909, is still the official corporate logotype of Asahi Glass, and is used on our corporate flag and at official presentations. It also identifies some products.

This roofing tile bears the original Iwasaki family crest.

Framed, triple-diamond logotype.

Flower" diamond logotype.

The diamond logotype is a combination of the flower and triple-diamond designs.

As World War II drew to a close, Asahi Glass merged with Nippon Chemicals to form Mitsubishi Chemical Industries. Peace came to Japan, but the company was stripped of its corporate investments and subsidiaries. Rebuilding began with aged production equipment and few resources. Six years later, the marriage of convenience was over and Asahi Glass again became an independently viable company.

Special glass for schools produced shortly after WW II.

Glass-cutting machinery featuring in-house improvements, ca. 1954.

The 5th Deming Award for quality control, 1955.

The Indo-Asahi Glass Co., Ltd. plant in India,ca. 1957, was our first overseas plant established after WW II.

n 1967, our 60th year, we decided to become an international, rather than just a Japanese, enterprise. So we accelerated the pace of technological development, established new businesses in chemicals and ceramics and improved product quality. These developments empowered us to meet new needs within Japan-for newly authorized high-rise buildings, color TV tubes and automotive products. In 1973, the Mideast Oil Crisis posed a new set of problems. There was an urgent need to stress quality over quantity, reduce fuel consumption and improve product safety and add new functions. We had to balance those issues with our drive to strategically locate production facilities around the world.

Our first propylene oxide and propylene glycol plant in 1961.

New research laboratory in Yokohama, ca. 1965.

Our float-glass line, shortly after production commenced in 1966.

With bases established throughout Southeast Asia, it was time for rapid expansion into North American and European markets. In 1989, the long-held corporate policy of creating employment, reinvesting profits and participating in and contributing to local society, education and culture was formally codified.

Today, Asahi Glass has over 130 overseas bases, employing 31,000 people. Of them, only about 260 have been sent from Japan. Our policy of delegating responsibility to overseas companies with local roots proved highly successful. For example, in Glaverbel S.A. (Belgium) Asahi Glass technology and management participation beginning in 1981 restored Glaverbel to profitability in five years. Interestingly, our glass-making technology initially came from Belgium, and thus we were able to return the favor.

Predecessors of these glass delay-line components, were first produced in 1974.

Our fine chemicals technology gives a brilliant finish with long term fluorinated resin protection to this bridge (1995).

This PD200 panel, first developed in 1996, is now used for plasma display panels.