1989-2000 Playing an Important Role in the Advancement of Information Society
In the early 1990s, Japan's bubble economy collapsed and Japan entered a long period of economic stagnation. Although the Company had kept its management focus on core businesses, its bottom line was inevitably affected by environmental factors such as weak demand and growing competition. Aiming to build a strong corporate constitution capable of adapting to market changes, DNP implemented structural reforms. At the same time, we took a fresh look at our manufacturing sector and opened one new plant after another all over Japan.
Since 1991, we have positioned ourselves as an "information communication industry" with the aim of being a company that can propose and provide products and services that respond to changes in information media and communication methods. We also began to focus on solution-oriented businesses, including Internet-based businesses and information processing services (IPS), based on our view that the advent of IT society presents good opportunities for business expansion.
As the idea of good corporate citizenship grew in importance during this period, many corporations began sponsoring cultural activities. Starting with ginza graphic gallery (established in 1986 in Tokyo), we went on to create spaces for showcasing graphic design in Osaka and Fukushima as well, thereby casting new light on a printing company's role in supporting culture.
- 1989March 2
- Delivered first version of DNP’s “High-definition Gallery” image display system to the Museum of Fine Arts, Gifu
- April 1
- Introduction of national consumption tax (3%)
- May 15
- Established smart card production joint venture Spom Japan Co., Ltd. with Bull SA of France as an equal partner
- May
- Established DNP Denmark A/S(Open in a new window) to manufacture and sell projection TV screens
- 1990January 22
- Acquired controlling share of Singapore-based printing company Tien Wah Press (Pte.) Ltd.
- April 1
- International Garden and Greenery Exposition held in Osaka
- December 15
- Established DNP Singapore Pte. Ltd., which sells mainly decorative materials and electronic components
- -
- Developed "S-Mail" postcards with a full adhesive cover that peels off easily
- 1991April 1
- New Tokyo metropolitan government building completed in Shinjuku
- June 18
- Opened Tsukuba Center for Integrated Development in Ibaraki Pref. as a locus for researching and developing basic technologies
- August 1
- Opened Ono Plant in Hyogo Pref.
- October 22
- Opened Okayama Plant, in Okayama Pref., to make information media supplies
- November 5
- Opened "DDD” gallery in Osaka
- 1992January 6
- Proposed becoming an “information communication industry” in New Year address
- -
- Developed PET plastic bottle pre-forming method
- 1993May 12
- Launched support services for official J. League (soccer) Data Site
- May 28
- Opened Shiraoka Plant in Saitama Pref., specializing in printing of books
- July
- Opened Mihara Plant to make electronic components in Hiroshima Pref.
- December
- Developed contactless smart card
- 1994August 1
- Established Dai Nippon IMS America Corp. (now DNP Imagingcomm America Corp.)
- December 1
- Launched DNP website
- 1995January 17
- The Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake
- March 24
- Received the International Trade and Industry Minister’s Prize as part of the 4th Grand Prize for the Global Environment Awards
- April 20
- Opened Center for Contemporary Graphic Art (CCGA)(Open in a new window) in Fukushima Pref.
- July 24
- Invested in Vietnam reforestation joint venture with Shin Oji Paper Co., Ltd. (currently Oji Paper Co., Ltd.) and Nissho Iwai Corp. (currently Sojitz Corp.)
- August
- Began Media Galaxy, offering a full range of services related to website operation
- September
- Opened Tanabe Plant in Kyoto Pref., specializing in paper cartons for holding liquids
- 1996January
- Began producing EB-coated paper for use in decorative materials
- July 20
- Collaborated with The Yomiuri Shimbun (Newspaper) to provide “Atlanta Olympic Games News Flashes” using internet
- July
- Established technology for designing anti-glare films for liquid crystal displays
- September 20
- Collaborated with the Mainichi Newspapers to start a searchable data base of news photos
- September
- Developed manufacturing technology for electrodes used in lithium-ion rechargeable batteries; entered energy business
- November 10
- Opened Izumizaki Plant in Fukushima Pref., specializing in film packaging
- 1997March 12
- Started online publishing business
- September 1
- Began issuing Mondex electronic money cards
- December 11
- Kyoto Protocol adopted at the third session of the UN climate change conference (COP 3) held in Kyoto
- -
- Developed inline aseptic filling system for PET plastic bottles
- 1998February 6
- Began selling Innovative Barrier (IB) film, a non-PVC film with excellent barrier properties
- April 8
- Opened RMN Image Archive for French national art museums association (Reunion des Musées Nationaux)
- April 23
- Opened Utsunomiya Plant for offset printing in Tochigi Pref.
- September 22
- Developed "True Image" full color Lippmann holograms
- November 23
- Established DNP Taiwan Co., Ltd.
- 1999January 7
- Opened Ushiku Plant in Ibaraki Pref., specializing in the manufacture of plastic cards
- March 2
- Developed smart cards that can be used for both contact and contactless applications
- October 12
- Developed ultra-high density multi-layered substrates for use in BGA/MCM semiconductor packages; entered the build-up wiring board business
- -
- Commercialized soft packs for lithium-ion rechargeable batteries
- 2000October 6
- Opened Internet Data Center
- October
- Developed and began producing contactless IC tags
- December 7
- Established DNP Korea Co., Ltd.