History

TANAKA's founder, UMEKICHI TANAKA, trained at a pawnshop called EIJIMAYA in Tokyo before opening EIJIMAYA TANAKA SHOTEN. The site of its founding, Kitajima-cho, Nihonbashi, Tokyo (now Kayabacho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo), was the location of TANAKA's headquarters until 2006. At the time of its founding, the company had about 10 store staff, 10 factory workers, and 4 decorative artisans. Its business involved purchasing 1-sen copper coins and 5-sen cupronickel coins, dividing them into smaller amounts in units of 100 yen, and exchanging them with merchants for a fee. The company later expanded into bullion trading and began purchasing foreign gold coins from places such as the foreign settlement in Yokohama, melting and refining them, and selling them. The technology developed during this period would later prove very useful in the industrial use of precious metals.

After serving as an apprentice at Shimizu Shoten, a store run by his relatives, Yamazaki Kamekichi took over the store in his youth. He then opened a new store of the same name in Bakurocho, Nihonbashi, dealing in the manufacturing and wholesale of precious metal jewelry and art objects. The store later moved to Nihonbashi, Tokyo, and was renamed Yamazaki Shoten. The store gained a reputation for handling watches and precious metals, and also handled diamonds, which had just begun to be introduced in Japan. In 1926 (Taisho 15 / Showa 1), the store moved to Ginza, Tokyo, and changed to retail.

In 1930, TANAKA took over the management of Yamazaki. After the war, it continued to operate for many years under the name GINZA YAMAZAKI, and has been a familiar presence in the area. It is now GINZA TANAKA.

Contributing to the development of the precious metals industry, TANAKA has also worked to establish the notation used to indicate the purity of gold, such as “K24” and “K18.”

TANAKA began processing used and discarded light bulbs at Tokyo Electric Light Company, Japan's first electric power company (now the origin of Tokyo Electric Power Holdings, Inc.), which was adjacent to TANAKA. Platinum was used in light bulbs at that time, and TANAKA succeeded in melting and refining it to process platinum wire.

In addition, we also manufactured platinum-made scientific and chemical laboratory products such as crucibles, evaporating dishes, electrodes, and spatulas. These were exhibited at the Tokyo Industrial Exhibition held at Ueno Park in Tokyo, where we received awards.

Platinum was also required for the manufacture of military products during World War I. For example, large platinum electrode plates are used in the equipment for producing potassium chlorate, which is a raw material for the manufacture of explosives. As a result, the demand for platinum increased. TANAKA also supplied platinum to these manufacturing companies.

Platinum was also used as a material for syringes used on the battlefield. However, due to a decrease in platinum imports during World War I, the Army began developing syringes using nickel as a substitute under the guidance of the Army Medical Materials Depot, and manufactured and sold them in large quantities.

TANAKA, which had come to focus on handling platinum in this way, began to use "Platinum, Gold, Silver" in its newspaper advertisements, furoshiki (wrapping cloth), and business cards after becoming a corporation (in 1918) with platinum listed first.

At this time, Russia accounted for 70% of the world's platinum production. Therefore, Ichiro Tanaka, the second president of TANAKA, began negotiations with Russia for the import of platinum. During this time, the Russian Revolution was underway, and the Soviet Union was established. In 1923 (Taisho 12), a General Agency Agreement was signed with the Soviet government.

At that time, the Soviet government presented the oil painting "Peasant Girl" by O. Bichikov, who was the court painter of the Russian Emperor. It is said that the painting was originally displayed in the Kremlin Palace.

After successfully domesticating platinum fine wire, the Company began developing a technology for weaving platinum gauze using this wire. Since processing platinum is more difficult than processing gold or silver, the Company invited a French engineer named Kine to conduct research. As a result, the Company succeeded in manufacturing Japan's first platinum gauze for catalysts. This research was also applied to the successful development of platinum iridium wire. This technology would later be applied to the manufacturing of gold ultra-fine wire and lead to the manufacturing of bonding wire.

The textile industry rapidly developed after the war. In order to meet the needs of this industry, we began manufacturing nozzles for chemical fibers at a partner factory in Kawanishi City, Hyogo Prefecture. Initially, the technology for making holes in nozzles was primitive, and holes were made by spinning thick paper placed on a iron base.

One of the policies implemented by GHQ for Japan's postwar reconstruction was the development of telecommunication networks. Among these, the adoption of automatic switching systems that automatically connect telephone lines was promoted, and TANAKA PRECIOUS METAL TECHNOLOGIES was responsible for manufacturing the relays used in these systems.

TANAKA PRECIOUS METAL TECHNOLOGIES conducted import negotiations with the Soviet Union to secure palladium, one of the materials used in contacts. It is said that the negotiations proceeded smoothly as there were ties with TANAKA PRECIOUS METAL TECHNOLOGIES regarding platinum imports before the war.

At this time, the semiconductor industry was still in its infancy. TANAKA ELECTRONICS was established as a joint venture between TANAKA PRECIOUS METAL TECHNOLOGIES and Mitsui Mining & Smelting to manufacture bonding wires used in semiconductor manufacturing.

As we stand on the brink of a new era, we have faced fierce competition with a spirit of challenge based on "doing what others do not." We have worked to improve our technological capabilities.

With the revitalization of the electronic industry, including C, the demand for gold bonding wire (metal ultra-fine wire) has also increased, as it is essential for their manufacturing. The Ministry of International Trade and Industry requested TANAKA PRECIOUS METAL TECHNOLOGIES to develop bonding wire with a diameter of 10 microns (micrometers). Although the company had succeeded in domestically producing platinum wire with a diameter of 10 microns, gold ultra-fine wire had a minimum diameter of 25 microns. After seeking guidance from semiconductor manufacturers, the bonding wire was finally completed in this year. Bonding wire remains one of TANAKA's main products to this day.

In the 1960s, precious metal plating began to be used for the contacts of electronic devices. In response, TANAKA PRECIOUS METAL TECHNOLOGIES established ELECTROPLATING ENGINEERS OF JAPAN (abbreviated as EEJA) in a joint venture with Celltech, a company based in the United States. Operations began at a factory in Hiratsuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture. EEJA manufactured plating solutions and plating equipment, while TANAKA PRECIOUS METAL TECHNOLOGIES was responsible for sales. This joint venture was one of the major factors that allowed TANAKA to establish a presence in the electronics industry.

The textile industry rapidly developed after the war. In order to meet the needs of this industry, we began manufacturing nozzles for chemical fibers at a partner factory in Kawanishi City, Hyogo Prefecture. Initially, the technology for making holes in nozzles was primitive, and holes were made by spinning thick paper placed on a iron base.

In 1973, the Japanese government liberalized the import of gold. This led to a growing interest in gold in Japan. Furthermore, in 1978, gold was completely liberalized with the permission of exports. In the same year, TANAKA PRECIOUS METAL TECHNOLOGIES sent pure gold bars it had melted and refined in-house to the London Gold Market, the most prestigious gold market in the world, and became the first company in Japan to be accredited as an official melter and assayer.

At this time, the semiconductor industry was still in its infancy. TANAKA ELECTRONICS was established as a joint venture between TANAKA PRECIOUS METAL TECHNOLOGIES and Mitsui Mining & Smelting to manufacture bonding wires used in semiconductor manufacturing.

As we stand on the brink of a new era, we have faced fierce competition with a spirit of challenge based on "doing what others do not." We have worked to improve our technological capabilities.

Gold became a familiar presence for the general public after its complete liberalization in 1978. To use gold as a means of wealth formation, a gold monthly savings plan was devised. This involves purchasing gold for a fixed amount of money, with TANAKA PRECIOUS METAL TECHNOLOGIES buying gold daily on behalf of customers with a fixed amount of funds. This is done according to the "dollar-cost averaging" method, where more is bought on days when gold prices are low and less is bought on days when prices are high. This method has the advantage of allowing gold to be purchased at a lower price than the average.

In 1984, the Platinum Fixed Price Purchase System was also launched. It has become one of the Group's representative products for asset formation and asset preservation through "steady accumulation."

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of TANAKA's predecessor, Eishimaya TANAKA SHOTEN, in 1885 (Meiji 18). At that time, the president, Junichiro TANAKA, decided to publish a book on the industrial value of precious metals, rather than holding a typical anniversary event, as he wanted to do something that would be useful to society. The authors were TANAKA's engineers and other prominent researchers of precious metals in Japan. The book consists of three volumes: "Preface," "Fundamentals," and "Applications."

This book served not only as a commemorative monument but also as a means of reaffirming TANAKA's corporate culture of respect for technology. A revised edition of the book, titled "Applied Edition," was also published in 2001.

YAMAZAKI, which has been known as "Ginza Yamazaki" since before the war, has maintained a unique presence in the precious metal jewelry industry. Under the slogan of "Reliable Quality and Appropriate Prices," the company develops its products. It has also implemented reforms, such as allowing female employees at sales outlets to set selling prices. By changing its name to TANAKA, the company aims to further foster a sense of security and trust.

We have been appointed as an “Accredited Assayer” of gold and silver by the LBMA (London Bullion Market Association), the accrediting body of the London gold market. We are the only company in Japan and one of seven in the world.

TANAKA PRECIOUS METAL TECHNOLOGIES was accredited as an official melting and assaying company in 1978. Subsequently, with the expansion of the gold market worldwide, the LBMA began to extend membership to companies outside the UK. TANAKA PRECIOUS METAL TECHNOLOGIES's track record was recognized, leading to its appointment as an official assessment company.

TANAKA PRECIOUS METAL TECHNOLOGIES has relocated its head office from Chuo City, Tokyo, where it has been located since its founding in 1885 (Meiji 18), to Marunouchi, Tokyo. By moving its head office functions to a more convenient location, the Company can respond more quickly and internationally.

As the term "urban mines" suggests, it is possible to recover and recycle gold and platinum stored at home more efficiently than newly mining these metals by recovering and recycling them. TANAKA has launched the Precious Metal Jewelry Buyback Service "RE:TANAKA" for customers to bring their precious metal jewelry made of gold and platinum to our stores, where we use specially developed X-ray fluorescence testing equipment to assess their purity and buy them.

We have also started purchasing silver since 2014.

The London Platinum and Palladium Market (LPPM) was established with the aim of facilitating appropriate trading of platinum and palladium. There are currently six companies worldwide that have been appointed by LPPM as accredited assayers, including TANAKA PRECIOUS METAL TECHNOLOGIES. LPPM has recognized the high standards of analytical and assessment capabilities, as well as the trust and track record that have been cultivated over many years.

In this year, TANAKA established a holding company, TANAKA HOLDINGS CO., LTD., and transitioned to a holding company system. The purpose of this transition is to facilitate smoother communication within the Group and to further enhance the flexibility of its operations.

TANAKA PRECIOUS METAL TECHNOLOGIES has been recognized as a full member of the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA). This is the first time for a company in Japan to receive this recognition. With this recognition, TANAKA PRECIOUS METAL TECHNOLOGIES will have voting rights on agenda items discussed at LBMA's general meetings and other events, and will be able to send members to its Board of Directors and subcommittees. This will also give the Company significant influence on the development of the gold and silver markets in Asia. For our customers, this recognition is a sign that we can provide even greater trust and reassurance.

In 2015, the Company was also recognized as a full member of the London Platinum and Palladium Market (LPPM).

The Vienna Philharmonic Coin in Gold, issued by the Austrian Mint, has been well received by many customers with TANAKA PRECIOUS METAL TECHNOLOGIES as its general agent in Japan. In April of this year, the Platinum Vienna Philharmonic Coin was newly launched. Like the Vienna Philharmonic Coin in Gold, the obverse features the pipe organ located at the home of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, while the reverse features reliefs of orchestral instruments such as the Vienna horn and harp.