History
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1960 | Aspiring to create a new type of social communications business, Shintaro Tsuji establishes Yamanashi Silk Center Co., Ltd. in Tokyo. |
| 1962 | The company produces its first original design featuring a strawberry-pattern design and uses it on gift products. |
| 1966 | Publishes poetry collection titled "Ai Suru Uta" (Beloved Songs). Begins publishing plan operations. |
| 1969 | Sanrio Greetings Co., Ltd. is established. |
| 1971 | The first Sanrio "Gift Gate" shop opens in Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo. |
| 1973 | 1.Yamanashi Silk Center Co., Ltd. changes its name to Sanrio Co., Ltd. and relocates to Gotanda in Shinagawa Ward, Tokyo. 2. The first Sanrio Salon restaurant is opened in Gotanda TOC building, Tokyo. 3. Sanrio Greetings Co., Ltd. is merged with Sanrio Co., Ltd. Film production activities commence. |
| 1974 | 1. The characters Hello Kitty, Patty & Jimmy are created. 2. Sanrio Film Corporation of America (currently Sanrio, Inc.) is established in Hollywood, California. U.S. film production and distribution activities commence. |
| 1975 | 1. The first Hello Kitty product (a coin purse) hits the market. 2. The monthly print publication The Strawberry News is launched. 3. Sanrio's first step into the commercial film industry comes with the release of the animated feature Little Jumbo. 4. The characters Little Twin Stars, and My Melody are created. |
| 1976 |
1. Character merchandise licensing activities begin. 2. Sanrio, Inc. is established in San Jose, California. 3. The first U.S. Gift Gate store opens in Eastridge, California. 4. The first "Sanrio Festival" is held. |
| 1977 | The merchandise control and computer divisions are enlarged and moved to Etchujima in Tokyo's Koto Ward. |
| 1978 | 1.
The movie "Who Are the DeBolts? And Where Did They Get Nineteen Kids?" wins an Academy Award for Best Feature-length Documentary. 2. Sanrio releases its first 70-millimeter animated feature lm "Winds of Change" ("Metamorphosis"). 3. The feature-length lm "Kitakitsune Monogatari" ("The Glacier fox") opens in theaters in Japan. |
| 1980 | A branch office (currently, Sanrio G.m.b.H.) is opened in Hamburg, West Germany to coordinate development of the European market. |
| 1982 | Sanrio is listed on the Second Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. |
| 1984 | Sanrio's listing is moved to the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. |
| 1985 | Sanrio's airs first for-TV animated cartoon, "Button Nose." |
| 1987 | Head office moves from Gotanda to Osaki, also in Shinagawa Ward. Sanrio Communication World Co., Ltd. (currently Sanrio Entertainment Co., Ltd.) is established to operate Sanrio Puroland theme park. |
| 1988 | Sanrio participates in the establishment of Harmonyland Co., Ltd. (currently Sanrio Entertainment Co., Ltd.), in Hijimachi, Oita Prefecture. |
| 1989 | Sanrio opens a second distribution center in Tachikawa Tokyo. |
| 1990 | 1.
Sanrio Far East Co.,Ltd. is established. 2. Sanrio Puroland theme park opens in Tama Tokyo. |
| 1991 | Harmonyland theme park opens in Hijimachi, Oita Prefecture. |
| 1994 | Hello Kitty is appointed child goodwill envoy of UNICEF in Japan. |
| 2000 | The number of Sanrio shares in one round lot is reduced from 1,000 to 100. |
| 2001 | Sanrio's distribution centers are relocated and consolidated to a single site in Machida, Tokyo. The character Cinnamoroll is created. |
| 2004 | The character Sugarbunnies is created. |
| 2008 | 1. Hello Kitty is appointed goodwill tourism ambassador for China and Hong Kong under the nation's Visit Japan Campaign undertaken by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. 2. Joint development of Jewelpet character. |
| 2009 | Sanrio Entertainment Co., Ltd. is established for the amalgamated operation of theme parks. |
| 2012 | Head office moves to 1-11-1, Osaki, Shinagawa Ward, Tokyo |
| 2013 | The character KIRIMICHAN. and Gudetama are created. |
| 2014 | The character SHINKAIZOKU and HUMMINGMINT are created. |
| 2015 | The character Aggretsuko and RiluRiluFairilu are created. |
| 2020 | Appointment of Tomokuni Tsuji as President and CEO / Shintaro Tsuji as Founder and Chairman. |
Countries Where You Can Find Sanrio
- Japan
- Hong Kong
- Taiwan
- South Korea
- Brazil
- Europe
The Founder
Shintaro Tsuji
" 10th of this year (2020) marked the 60th year since I established the social communication business that is Sanrio out of a desire to create a happy world in which everyone could live together as friends and help one another. And on this momentous occasion, I find myself once again reflecting on the truly many people I have met in the 60 years leading up to Sanrio's business reaching the state it is in today. Seventy years ago, when I had just graduated from university, I saw Disney's Fantasia at a movie theater in Shinjuku and was greatly impressed. And I came to possess a strong desire to make a similarly amazing movie myself someday.