About Us
Our History
From Aerial Survey Film to Digital Twin:
Kimoto's Journey Since 1949
KIMOTO’s history began in 1949, during Japan’s postwar reconstruction, when its founder, Ujihito Kimoto, started a film development service for aerial photogrammetry.
At that time, creating new maps was an important part of rebuilding Japan’s social infrastructure. Through technologies related to aerial photogrammetry, the company contributed to map production and the development of geospatial information. Later, KIMOTO independently developed “AK Kent Paper,” a highly durable and dimensionally stable paper that was adopted as original drawing paper for national maps, supporting the advancement of mapmaking in Japan.
With these efforts as its foundation, the company continued to refine its two core technologies: image processing and surface coating. Building on these strengths, KIMOTO has provided unique products and services to customers around the world. As times have changed, its business has expanded from analog technologies centered on film and paper to geospatial information technologies that utilize digital data.
Today, drawing on its long-cultivated image processing and data processing technologies, the company acquires, processes, and manages various types of spatial data. These include point cloud data obtained through laser scanning, two-dimensional cadastral maps, 3D spatial data generated from photographs, and 360-degree images. This data is transformed into highly accurate and high-quality digital assets that faithfully reproduce the real world.
In its digital twin business, the company provides an integrated service covering the entire process from spatial data acquisition to data preparation, processing, structuring, database and system development, and intuitive visualization. Through these services, KIMOTO supports faster and more accurate decision-making in fields such as construction, infrastructure, and manufacturing by enhancing the understanding of on-site conditions and improving information sharing.
Furthermore, by combining its proven image processing technologies with Gaussian Splatting, an advanced 3D technology, KIMOTO offers “SPLAT TWIN,” which generates highly detailed 3D spaces. By transforming complex on-site environments into realistic and intuitive digital twin spaces, SPLAT TWIN contributes to the promotion of digital transformation, more efficient remote information sharing, smoother consensus-building among stakeholders, and the creation of new value from data.
The technology that began with aerial photogrammetry film has continued to evolve with the times and now connects to the new field of digital twin. Moving forward, KIMOTO will continue to contribute to solving social and industrial challenges through technologies that connect images, spaces, and data.
Kimoto's History Timeline
1950s
From Japan’s postwar reconstruction to an era of economic growth.
We are embarking on our journey as a manufacturer in the field of precision mapping, which is essential for the development of social infrastructure.
1952 Founded Kimoto Shokai Co., Ltd.
Products & Services
1955 AK Kent Paper
1957 AK Scribe Base
1958 AK Strip Coat
1960s
From Paper to PET Films
As a manufacturer of functional films, we have expanded our technological capabilities and contributed to the rapid growth of the IC industry.
1961 Reorganized as Kimoto Shokai Co., Ltd. (Shinjuku, Tokyo)
1962 Established the Saitama Plant (Saitama City, Saitama)
1966 Opened the Osaka Sales Office (currently Osaka Satellite Office)
1967 Changed the company name to KIMOTO CO., LTD.
1968 Expanded the coating facility at the Saitama Plant
1969 Established the Ibaraki Plant (Koga City, Ibaraki)
Products & Services
1962 Micro Trace
1965 Dia Mat
1969 UNIPAR
1970
From the Era of Physical Goods to the Information Industry
Developed products that contributed to the advancement of the electronics industry, including printed circuit boards (PCBs) and liquid crystal displays (LCDs).
1973 Established the sales company KIMOTO USA INC. in the United States
1974 Established the sales company KIMOTO AG in Switzerland
1977 Registered as a licensed surveying company under Japan’s Survey Act
1979 Established the Mie Plant (Inabe City, Mie)
Products & Services
1971 DIAZO UNIPAR
1973 AK PAPUL
1974 Piltic
1976 KDP［Kimoto Dry Peel］
1980
Expanding Globally
Established its first overseas production base in the United States and supplied products to major markets around the world.
1981 Opened the Central Research Laboratory (Saitama City, Saitama)
Held the 30th Anniversary commemorative event, “Alphorn & Swiss Music Festival”
1985 Established the manufacturing company KIMOTO TECH, INC. in the United States
1986 Constructed the Second Plant at the Mie Plant (Inabe City, Mie)
1987 Received the 7th Science and Technology Agency Director-General’s Award for “KDP”
1989 Launched an annual soccer clinic led by former professional players from Germany (held annually through 1997)
Products & Services
1980 KB-FILM, Kimolec
1984 Kimolith,Kimograph EPF
1987 Kimotect
1989 CARBONFEATHER
1990
From LCDs to the Touch Panel Era
We have developed products used in LCDs and touch panels, such as hard-coat films and light-diffusing films.
1990 Launched an annual baseball clinic led by Major League Baseball (MLB) players and coaches (held annually through 1992)
1991 Established the manufacturing company Shenyang Kimoto Data Co., Ltd. in China (currently Shenyang Kimoto Industries Co., Ltd.)
Founder Ujihito Kimoto Receives the Medal with Yellow Ribbon
1992 Constructed the Third Plant at the Mie Plant (Inabe City, Mie)
Launched an annual English language program led by American instructors (held annually through 1994)
1993 Received the International Business of the Year Award from the State of Georgia, U.S.A.
1994 Listed on the Over-the-Counter market of the Japan Securities Dealers Association (Securities Code: 7908)
1995 Merged KIMOTO TECH, INC. and KIMOTO USA INC.
The Mie Plant, Ibaraki Plant, and KIMOTO TECH, INC. obtained ISO 9002:1994 certification
Products & Services
1990 GEINS
1992 LIGHT-UP
1994 Kimoplate
1995 MYJEFF
1995 Laface
1997 KEY-WORKS
1998 SUPER KIMOART
2000
Expanding Solutions for Diverse Needs
We actively explored the potential of various technological fields, including photocatalytic materials, printing systems, and projection screens.
2005 Listed on the Second Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange
Constructed the Fourth Plant at the Mie Plant
2006 Transferred to the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange
Established the manufacturing and sales company KIMOTO POLAND Sp. z o.o. in Poland (operated until 2013)
2007 Established the sales company Kimoto Trading (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. in China (operated until 2018)
2009 Expanded the Fourth Plant (Maruyama Plant) at the Mie Plant (Inabe City, Mie)
Products & Services
2000 Kimosetter 340
2001 Viewful
2002 DILAD Screen
2003 Laclean
2005 Kimosetter 410
2007 Prosave
2008 Glasstect
2010
Creating value across the entire lifecycle—from products and the environments surrounding them to the way people work.
2011 Launched the Kimoto Farm Project in Inabe City, Mie
Initiated agricultural activities as part of the company’s commitment to local communities and environmental sustainability
2012 Held the 60th Anniversary Ceremony
Launched the original premium rice brand “Minori no Hyakunen Mai” (Harvest of the Next 100 Years)
Developed the Koshihikari rice variety grown in Inabe City, Mie, as a branded product originating from the Kimoto Farm Project
2013 Relocated the Head Office to Saitama City, Saitama
Opened branch offices in Seoul, South Korea, and Shenzhen, China
2014 Transitioned branch offices into satellite offices
Opened global offices in San Francisco, U.S.A., and Suzhou, China
Hosted the KIMOTO Japan–U.S. Friendship Youth Baseball Tournament in the United States
2017 Entered into a capital and business alliance with Taylors
Installed the LC3 Compact Coater at KIMOTO TECH, INC.
Upgraded the Apollo Compact Coater at the former Saitama Headquarters
［Products & Services］
2012 OptSaver
2013 GEOVERSE
2013 GlassLACE
2013 Communication Design
2014 Safety Serve
2014 Releasy
2015 Welltoner
2020
Toward Organizations and Innovation That Adapt to a Changing World.
We are building organizations capable of responding flexibly to societal changes and promoting innovation that creates new value.
2020 Obtained a patent for designated field purchasing through the Kimoto Farm Project
Closed satellite offices across Japan and transitioned to a new way of working
2021 Changed the timing of the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders to May
Introduced a three-month flexible working hours system
Produced and launched Japanese sake made from Koshihikari rice cultivated at Kimoto Farm in Inabe City, Mie
2024 Relocated the Head Office to Inabe City, Mie
［Products & Services］
2020 OptSaver PCL52
2020 3D Construction Vehicle Models
2020 K-shield
2021 3D Human Models
2021 StorageBee
2021 RevSurf
2021 Published Danshari Makes Work Style Reform Successful!
From Aerial Photogrammetry to Digital Twins
The Evolution of KIMOTO's Digital Twin Technologies
KIMOTO’s Digital Twin technologies originate from the image processing and data creation technologies that the company has cultivated since its founding.
1949– | Origins: Aerial Photography and Map Production
During Japan’s post-war reconstruction period, highly accurate maps were essential for infrastructure development and national land planning. Through technologies for aerial photograph processing and drawing reproduction, KIMOTO began contributing to map production and the development of geospatial information.
1960– | Evolution of Image Processing: From Monochrome to Color
Since then, as image processing technology has evolved from black-and-white to color, we have continued to advance our capabilities for more accurately reading and processing images through initiatives such as the launch of the “Fosdack 1000” color image analysis system.
1980– | Digitalization: From Paper Maps to GIS
Furthermore, as the industry has transitioned from paper maps to digital maps, we have provided data creation technologies that support GIS (Geographic Information Systems). We have been committed to converting analog information into digital data and creating high-quality data that can be utilized in society and industry.
2010– | Spatialization: From 2D to 3D
In recent years, KIMOTO has expanded its technological capabilities from 2D data to 3D data. We treat not only location information but also space itself as data, and by leveraging image processing and data processing technologies, we provide digital data to various fields, including construction, infrastructure, and manufacturing.
2020–Present | Digital Twins and Manufacturing DX
In our current digital twin business, we provide a comprehensive range of services, from the acquisition, processing, and structuring of spatial data to database creation, system development, and visualization. By recreating the real world as a high-precision digital space, we support on-site situation awareness, remote information sharing, and rapid decision-making.
Furthermore, drawing on its own experience with digital transformation (DX) as a manufacturer, KIMOTO is also engaged in supporting DX initiatives in factories. By combining data creation technologies—including 3D data—with the practical knowledge cultivated on the manufacturing floor, the company transforms data into value and contributes to solving challenges facing society, industry, and local communities.
KIMOTO’s technology, which began with aerial photogrammetry, has evolved with the times and now extends into the new field of digital twins.
