History of Bayer in Japan
1886 |
The red direct dye Benzopurpurine developed by Bayer and Agfa's Congo Red are introduced to Japan. |
1890 |
Bayer changes its agent in Japan from H. Ahrens & Co. to Carl Rohde & Co. |
1899 |
Regular imports of Bayer pharmaceuticals to Japan begin. |
1907 |
Richard Veit, a dyeing engineer posted in Japan, establishes dyeing laboratories in Yokohama and Kobe. |
1911 |
Friedrich Bayer & Co. is established as a wholly owned subsidiary. |
1924 |
Doitsu Senryo is established to deal with dyes and chemicals. |
1927 |
Bayer-Meister Lucius Yakuhin is founded to distribute pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. |
1941 |
A joint venture for the production of crop protection agents is established as Nihon Tokushu Noyaku Seizo. |
1950 |
E. Ott & Co., which handles Bayer dyes and chemicals, establishes a new department to expand business. |
1951 |
Import of Bayer pharmaceuticals resumes through Yoshitomi Seiyaku (import agent) and Takeda Yakuhin (sales agent). |
1955 |
Hong Kong-based company Chemdyes (60% Bayer, 40% E. Ott) becomes agent in Japan for dyes and chemicals. |
1960 |
Wholly owned Japanese subsidiary Chemdyes Doitsu Senryo is set up by Bayer to handle dyes and chemicals. |
1962 |
Bayer Yakuhin is established as wholly owned subsidiary of Bayer. |
1969 |
Sumitomo Bayer Urethane is established as a joint venture between Bayer and Sumitomo Chemical. |
1973 |
Bayer Yakuhin is reorganized as a joint venture of Bayer, Takeda Yakuhin and Yoshitomi. |
1976 |
Adalat, anti-angina pectoris agent, is introduced. (Additional indication for hypertension approved in 1985.) |
1979 |
Bayer's Shiga Factory is completed. |
1985 |
The Yuki Research Center, Bayer's crop protection research center in Yuki, Ibaraki Prefecture is opened. |
1986 |
Hinochloa, a herbicide developed in Japan, is introduced. |
1988 |
Ciproxan, a broad-spectrum anti-infective, is introduced. |
1991 |
Nihon Tokushu Noyaku Seizo changes its name to Nihon Bayer Agrochem. |
1992 |
Admire, an insecticide synthesized and developed in Japan, is introduced. |
1993 |
H. C. Starck Japan and V Tech merge to become H. C. Starck-V TECH Ltd. |
1994 |
Miles-Sankyo changes its name to Bayer-Sankyo. |
1995 |
The textile dyeing businesses of Bayer and Bayer Kasei are transferred to DyStar Japan. |
1997 |
Admire becomes the top insecticide in the world. |
1998 |
Teijin-Bayer Polytec Ltd. is established as a joint venture between Bayer Ltd. and Teijin Chemicals K.K. |
1999 |
Bayer Medical Ltd. is established. |
2000 |
Baynas, a treatment for allergic rhinitis, is introduced. |
2001 |
New anti-platelet agent Bayaspirin is introduced. |
2002 |
Haarmann & Reimer K.K. becomes independent from Bayer in Japan. |
2003 |
Bayer Chemicals Japan K.K. is established. |
2004 |
Levitra, an erectile dysfunction treatment, is launched. |
2005 |
LANXESS K.K. separates from Bayer in Japan as an independent entity, following the spin off of LANXESS AG from the Bayer Group. |
2006 |
Bayer announces the acquisition of Schering AG. |
2007 |
Bayer Yakuhin and Nihon Schering are integrated and the new Bayer Yakuhin starts. Bayer MaterialScience Ltd. Is established. |
2008 |
Operations commence at Bayer Holding Ltd., the holding company of Bayer in Japan. |
2009 |
Bayer MaterialScience’s Innovation Center is expanded and commences full-fledged operation. |
2010 |
Intendis K.K. is integrated into Bayer Yakuhin as a new business unit. |
2011 |
Bayer in Japan is marking its 100th anniversary. |
2012 |
Key service and support functions are integrated into the new Country Group Platform in Bayer Holding Ltd. |
2013 |
Bayer celebrates the 150th anniversary of its foundation worldwide. The company sends an airship around the world including Japan. |
2014 |
The new Consumer Care (CC) organization is launched in Japan in July. |
2015 |
Bayer MaterialScience is independent under the name Covestro. |
2016 |
Bayer in Japan - first products imported 130 years ago. |
2018 |
In August, Dr. Thomas-Peter Hausner becomes the new Senior Bayer Representative for Japan. |
2020 |
Monsanto Japan is integrated into Bayer CropScience K.K. |
Richard Veit, the founder of Friedrich Bayer & Co.
The trademark of Friedrich Bayer & Co. was registered in 1911, the same year the company was established.
Headquarters of Friedrich Bayer & Co. in Kobe (established May 1, 1911)
Japanese Aspirin packages from the 1930s