2020-
2021
The disaster prevention puppet play The Lookouts of KanKan Tower received a special award at the 18th Corporate Philanthropy Awards.
Launches the NF-2 Partition-Mounted Conversation Assistance Systems.
Cooperates Kobe City's COVID-19 countermeasures with speaker-attached drones.
- Joe Biden elected president of the United States.
2020
Commences providing a “congestion status distribution solution” leveraging the TRIFORA Series camera-embedded AI.
Grand opening of Knowledge Square, our new R&D base, on December 10, 2020.
- Starts charging plastic shopping bags.
- COVID-19 pandemic.
2010-
2019
Wins the 2019 Good Design/Long Life Design Award.
Released the Audio Guidance with Probing Cane Recognition System.
Releases the AM-CF1W Web Conferencing Audio System which enables speedy conferences with its proprietary sound collection function and easy connection.
- New era “Reiwa” begins.
- Rugby World Cup 2019 held in Japan.
2018
Releases the FS-2500 Series Rack-Mount Emergency Broadcast Systems realizing one of the industry's smallest sizes for space saving and corresponding to large-scale systems.
- Pyeongchang Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games held.
2017
“Multi-language Broadcasting Services” for foreign visitors to Japan begins.
Launches the Ceiling Speaker of the industry's smallest size enabling evacuation announcement in emergency cases such as fire.
The accumulated number of children participated in our corporate mecenat activities for music and dance reaches 10,000, as a result of the company's 12-year effort in penetrating the events.
- Giant panda cub born at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo.
- Sota Fujii, the youngest professional shogi player in history, ranked fourth dan, sets the all-time record with 29 consecutive victories.
2016
Launches amplifiers used at mosques.
Town Recorder Remote Viewing Services begins.
- Hokkaido Shinkansen extended to Hakodate.
- Kumamoto earthquakes occur, claiming 157 deaths and forcing over 180,000 evacuees to flee.
- Rio de Janeiro Summer Olympic Games held.
- Donald Trump elected president of the United States.
2015
TOA’s corporate values: Smiles for the Public established.
- Hokuriku Shinkansen extended to Kanazawa.
- Kanto-Tohoku heavy rainfall collapses the embankment of the Kinugawa river.
- November 2015 Paris attacks kill 130 people.
2014
Installed in network camera systems to Nara National Museum.
Released the TRIFORA Series of network camera systems featuring full HD picture quality.
Network Camera System
TRIFORA catalog
- Sochi Winter Olympics.
- Abeno Harukas commercial complex and Japan’s tallest building open for business.
- Japanese consumption tax increased to 8%.
- FIFA Soccer World Cup held in Brazil.
2013
TOA ELECTRONICS VIETNAM COMPANY LIMITED established in Vietnam.
Audio distribution business begins (transferred from Shinano Kenshi Co., Ltd.).
- Tokyo selected to host 2020 Olympic Games.
2012
Released the FS-2000 Rack-Mounted Integrated Emergency/ General-Purpose Public Address System, the first of its kind ever developed in the industry to support earthquake early warning priority broadcasts.
Installed the Integrated Emergency/General-Purpose Public Address system in TOKYO SKYTREE TOWN®.
TOA Electronics India Private Limited established in India.
Asia-Pacific R&D Center established in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Miyakojima City Hall in Okinawa
Horn array speakers
- Tokyo Skytree opens.
- London Olympics.
2011
Broadcast of the “Kanon,” TV program, jointly produced by TOA and Sun Television, begins.
TOA co-sponsors the 1st Kobe Marathon with sound.
Announcements! Encouragements!
Kobe Marathon
Smart matrix system, digital power amplifiers and other equipment installed at Wimbledon tennis courts in the U.K.
Wimbledon tennis courts
- Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami claim more than 19,000 casualties.
- Nuclear power plant explosions in Fukushima cause extensive dispersal of radioactive substances.
2010
TOA Communication Systems, Inc. founded in the United States.
TOA Electronics (Thailand) Co., Ltd. founded in Thailand.
PT. TOA-GALVA Prima Karya founded in Indonesia.
Installed sound systems in the main pavilion and many other facilities at Expo 2010 Shanghai.
European emergency broadcast system standard EN 54 approval obtained.
TOA Receives Prestigious ‘Commissioner for Cultural Affairs Award’ for Mecenat Activities.
For Each Generation, Its Own Form
The 2010 Mecenat Award
Trophy awarded for the
Director General
of the Agency of Cultural
Affairs Prize
- Massive earthquake in Haiti kills more than 220,000.
- Vancouver Winter Olympics.
- Entire Tohoku Shinkansen line completed, connecting Tokyo and Aomori.
2000-
2009
TOA ELECTRONICS SOUTHERN AFRICA (PROPRIETARY) LIMITED founded in Republic of South Africa.
TOA security equipment receives approval from the Recognition of Better Security Systems (RBSS).
Installed large-scale line array speakers(types A,C,etc.) at Hanshin Koshien Stadium.
Clear, True-to-Life Sound Conveys the Passion of the Game!
Line array speakers
- Japan’s first lay judge system begins.
2008
TOA ELECTRONICS (M) SDN. BHD., a Malaysian overseas subsidiary, is established.
The TOA Direct, TOA’s direct internet sales website opens for business.
ACOUS Corporation, Pasco Co., Ltd. merge and continue as ACOUS Corporation.
Involvement in many facilities at the Beijing Olympics, including the Main Stadium and Olympic Village.
Beijing National Stadium
(nicknamed The Bird’s Nest)
- Akihabara massacre in Tokyo (7 dead).
- Beijing Olympics.
- Lehman Brothers (USA) bankruptcy.
- Barak Obama elected president of the United States.
2007
- Global stock market crash (subprime mortgage crisis)
- Japan Post Group established.
2006
Full-scale entry into the business field related to Earthquake Early Warning systems.
Earthquake Early
Warning System catalog
2005
Development of Line Array Speakers.
First development of Multichannel Digital Power Amplifiers designed for high impedance applications in Japan.
TOA Music Workshop, a music-focused experimental program designed for elementary and middle school children, commences operation.
Emergency/general purpose broadcast systems installed in the TAIPEI 101 skyscraper, a high-rise office building built in Taipei, Taiwan.
The TAIPEI 101 skyscraper in Taipei, Taiwan
- Expo 2005 opens in Aichi Prefecture.
- JR train derailment accident occurs, killing 107 people.
2004
Receives the 9th Disclosure Award from the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
NX-100 network audio adapter receives the Grand Prix award of the 2004 IPv6 Application Contest.
Super Streetlight System installed in Tokyo’s Ginza district.
Super Streetlight System
- Athens Olympics.
- Chuetsu Earthquake kills 40 people.
- Sumatra Earthquake and tsunami kill more than 300,000 people.
- Beslan school hostage crisis (Russia).
2003
Construction of new factory of ACOUS Co., Ltd. completed.
TOA ASSOCIATE CORPORATION established.
- Personal Information Protection Law established.
- Iraq War.
2002
TOA’s wholly-owned subsidiary, TOA (CHINA) LIMITED. is established in China.
ACOUS Corporation, AIREX Co., Ltd., and MECANIX Co., Ltd. merge and continue as ACOUS Corporation.
Packet Audio network PA system (NX-100) released.
Network Audio Adapter NX-100
- FIFA World Cup held in Japan and Korea.
- Operation of basic resident registration network system begins.
- Circulation of Euro currency begins.
2001
Establishes DYNATECH CORPORATION (SHEN ZHEN) (consolidated accounting from 2005).
TOA’s wholly-owned subsidiary, TOA Electronics PTE Ltd., is established in Singapore.
TOA’s wholly-owned subsidiary, TOA Vietnam Co., Ltd., is established in Vietnam.
New products employing TOA’s networking technologies are released.
NetCanSee video networking system(N-CC1110)
TOA’s Takarazuka headquarters win ISO 14001 certification for environmental compatibility.
TOA installs the ix-3000 and other sound systems in NHK Hall, Osaka.
Control room at NHK Osaka Hall
Field sound systems and integrated emergency systems are installed in Kobe Wing Stadium, one of the venues used for the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
Wing Stadium, Kobe
- Osaka elementary school massacre.
- September 11 attack on New York’s World Trade Center.
2000
TOA introduces the SAP/R3 system into its business operations, incorporating an SQL server to unify its basic information and accounting systems.
TOA’s sound systems play a central role in the “HELLO JAPAN! HELLO 21!! in GIFU” event put on by world-famous fashion designer Yamamoto Kansai.
HELLO JAPAN！HELLO 21!! in GIFU
- Russian president Vladimir Putin takes office.
- Volcanic eruption of Mt. Oyama on the island of Miyakejima.
- Okinawa Summit held.
- Sydney Olympics.
1990-
1999
Receives Good Design Prize for Interior Design Speaker.
Integrated emergency PA system installed at Osaka International Airport.
Dissolves Takitsu Co., Ltd.
- EU introduces the Euro.
- All bridges of the Setouchi Shimanami Kaido Expressway linking Japan’s Honshu and Shikoku islands completed.
- Portugal returns Macao to China.
1998
Buys BBM company in England.
New Takarazuka headquarters building completed.
TOA New Takarazuka Operations Building
New building entrance of Takarazuka
Operations Center
- Nagano Winter Olympics.
- Akashi Kaikyo Bridge completed between Kobe and Awaji island.
1997
Listed on the First Section of both Tokyo and Osaka stock exchanges.
Large-scale sound system including ix-3000 installed at Setagaya Arts Center.
IP series dual power amplifier for facilities released.
High-speed rotating dome camera released.
C-CC51HS
- Consumption tax increased to 5%.
- 14-year-old boy arrested in Kobe child murder incident.
- Hong Kong returned to China.
- Chemical Weapons Convention enters into force.
1996
Listed on Second Section of Tokyo Stock Exchange.
TOA Internet Home Page established.
Sound system installed at China Trust Music Hall, Taiwan.
Sound image shifting system using digital signal processing technology installed at Toda Motorboat Racing Facility.
Corporate sponsor of Kobe Luminarie. Sound production managed by XEBEC; 3.85 million Visitors.
Speakers installed at the Kobe Luminarie light festival
- Atlanta Olympics.
- Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) signed.
1995
Great Hanshin Earthquake strikes on January 17.
Hong Kong Office incorporated as TOA (Hong Kong) Ltd.
Consolidated accounting system begins.
Receives Grand Prix at Mecenat Awards ‘95 presented by Mecenat Council.
TOA received the Grand Mecenat Award
Mecenat Award '95 Grand Prix trophy
- Great Hanshin Earthquake claims 6,437 casualties.,437人
- Sarin gas attack in Tokyo subways.
- World Trade Organization established.
1994
PA and other systems installed at Kansai international Airport.
World’s first speaker system allowing individual speaker volume adjustment at one location installed in Mitsukoshi Department Store’s Yebisu (Tokyo) branch.
DP-0204 Digital Signal Processor developed.
World’s first diesel-engine noise canceling system commercialized.
Convention audio equipment installed at National Convention Hall of Yokohama.
Pacific Convention Plaza Yokohama
(Pacifico Yokohama)
- Exchange rate hits records 99 yen per dollar, first-ever 2-digit mark.
- Product Liability Act established.
- Kansai International Airport opens.
1993
Arena audio system installed in Fukuoka Dome.
PA and other systems installed at Yokohama Landmark Tower.
Z-DRIVE for Professionals in the Field
Z-Drive speaker systems successfully used in outdoor musical events
- Japan Professional Football League opens.
- Environment Basic Act established.
- European Union (EC) established.
1992
First version of the ix-11000 fully digital mixing system for broadcasting stations and studios put into use in NHK’s Studio CU226.
Automatic broadcasting and other equipment installed in new terminal at Chitose Airport.
International Standardization Organization (ISO) certification obtained.
ISO 9000 registration certificate
- Barcelona Olympics.
1991
Responsible for sound management at opening and closing ceremonies of international track and field meet.
PA and other systems installed in Bali’s international airport.
Sound system installed in NHK Hall.
NHK Hall
- Persian Gulf War.
- Large pyroclastic flow at Mt. Unzen in Kyushu claims 43 lives.
- Collapse of Soviet Union.
1990
TOA Canada Corporation established in Ontario.
Z-DRIVE System touring speaker system developed.
First version of the ix-9000 fully digital mixing system starts operation in the Vienna State Opera House.
Developing the World’s Finest Professional Audio Equipment
Vienna State Opera House
- International Garden and Greenery Exposition held in Osaka.
- Experimental high-definition television broadcasting begins.
- Unification of East and West Germany.
1980-
1989
New TOA headquarters building located on Port Island, Kobe.
Construction of TOA PI Building completed.
TOA Electricc Co., Ltd. renamed TOA Corporation.
NEW TOAーSetting Sail Toward a New Era
TOA headquarters
TOA Electronics Taiwan Corporation established in Taipei.
XEBEC Corporation established.
SAORI Digital Signal Processor developed.
- Emperor Showa (Hirohito) passes away.
- Consumption tax implemented.
- Fall of Berlin Wall.
1988
BEAM sound room opened at Tokyo Office.
The BEAM Sound Room in TOA’s Tokyo office
An induction course held on a desert island as one of the new recruit education programs.
A Punishing Desert isleSurvival Course
Desert island survival training course for new employees
- Undersea tunnel between Aomori and Hokkaido completed.
- Seoul Olympics.
1987
Information Center opened.
All-zone broadcast system Call Station 12 developed.
Improving Performances through Sound Design
MAHARAJA
- Japan National Railways privatized and divided into seven regional JR companies.
- Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty concluded.
1986
STI measuring system, color CCTV camera, teleconferencing system, and multi-point communication system developed.
TOA speaker salesc increase, backed by a surging disco boom in Japan.
- Enforcement of the Equal Employment Opportunity Law.
- Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident (Soviet Union).
- General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev begins Perestroika campaign.
1985
TOA wins its first Good Design Prize (G mark) for 7 models, including a simplified CCTV system.
Official supplier for 1985 Kobe Universiade.
Favorable Response to TOA Sound Systems
Kobe Universiade
- Japan Air Lines Flight 123 jumbo jet crashes in mountains.
- Group of Five Conference of Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors agree on enhancement of joint intervention in exchange markets. (Plaza Agreement.)
1984
TOA enters the intercom market, introducing ten new products including door-phones.
New corporate symbol introduced.
- Sarajevo Winter Olympics.
- Los Angeles Olympics boycotted by Soviet bloc countries.
1983
TOA Electronics Ltd. (currently TOA Corporation (UK) Ltd.) established in the U.K.
CCTV (closed-circuit television) system developed.
Newly-released CCTV (closed-circuit television) system
The 1983 NAMM Show, where TOA’s professional sound equipment won high praise popularity.
View of TOA’s U.S. NAMM Show exhibit
- Tsunami in Sea of Japan resulting from earthquake off coast of Akita Prefecture kills 104 people.
- Korean Air Lines bombing incident.
1982
Online national distribution network completed.
- Hotel New Japan fire in Tokyo claims 33 lives.
- Joetsu and Tohoku Shinkansen lines opened.
1981
Starts operations of the Western Japan Distribution Center.
TOA equipment used at Kobe Portopia ‘81.
Large sound system installed in International Square of Kobe Port Island Exhibition
High-powered PA system gains excellent reputation
- Pope John Paul II visits Japan.
- Portopia ’81 exposition held in Kobe.
1980
Establishes Dynatron Industrial Co., Ltd. (consolidated accounting from 2001).
Acoustic Center opened at Takarazuka Headquarters.
Anechoic chamber in TOA’s Acoustic Center
- Moscow Olympics. United States, West Germany, Japan and other countries boycott.
- Iran-Iraq War begins.
1970-
1979
TOA invests in Hino Seiki Co., Ltd.
TOA’s MA-007 amplifier beccomes a hit product
- Radiation leak at Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in the United States.
1978
The MA-007 Wireless Music Amplifier (Karaoke) is released, and becomes a big hit.
AIREX Co., Ltd. established.
Sound Room completed at Takarazuka Headquarters.
Sounds to Lift the Human Spirit
Istiqlal Mosque in Indonesia
- New Tokyo International Airport opened in Narita.
1977
U.K. Branch opened (reorganized as a company in1983).
Stock listed on the Second Section of the Osaka Stock Exchange.
Nikkei newspaper advertisement announcing TOA's stock listing on the Osaka Securities Exchange's Second Section
- Volcanic eruption of Mt. Usuzan, near Toyako Lake in Hokkaido.
1976
Y75 million worth of order received for equipment for Africa’s largest soccer stadium in Angola.
Intercom System developed.
- Montreal Olympics.
- Lockheed bribery scandal rattles Japanese government.
1975
“Replica series” Professional Sound System developed.
Joint venture PT. TOA GALVA INDUSTRIES founded in Jakarta, Indonesia.
The Start of Overseas Production
PT. TOA Galva Industries established in Indonesia
Leader in Automated Guidance Broadcasting
Automatic guidance broadcasting system installed in Nankai Railway’s Nanba Station
- Sanyo Shinkansen opens service between Okayama and Hakata.
- Ocean Expo ’75 held in Okinawa.
- Vietnam War ends.
1974
TOA Electronics, Inc. established in San Francisco.
Z-Series amplifiers enjoy excellent reputation.
- Electronic Industries Association of Japan (EIAJ) established. Electronic Machinery Industries Association, EIAJ’s predecessor, dissolved.
1973
TAKITSU Co., Ltd. founded.
Computer-connected automatic broadcasting system developed.
National Police Agency makes bulk purchase of patrol car PA systems.
TOA ELECTRONICS DEUTSCHLAND G.m.b.H. established in Hamburg (reorganized in 1983).
Indonesian representative office established.
- OPEC invokes oil embargo (first oil shock).
- Fourth Arab-Israeli War breaks out in the Middle East.
1972
Pasco Co., Ltd. established.
Transfers medical equipment division operations to TOA Medical Electronics Co., Ltd. (now Sysmex Corporation).
Pendent speaker, the industry’s first of its kind, developed.
Desk-amplifiers are released.
Automatic train announcement system installed at both Keisei Narita Station and Nankai Wakayakashi Station.
900-series launched in the North American market.
Somthing Different
- Sapporo Winter Olympics.
- Sanyo Shinkansen opens between Shin-Osaka and Okayama.
- Okinawa reverts to Japan.
- Munich Olympics.
1971
- United States announces new economic measures to keep the dollar strong (Nixon Shock).
- Japanese government shifts from fixed yen/dollar exchange rate to the floating exchange rate system.
1970
TOA Communications Co., Ltd. established (now TOA Engineering Co., Ltd.).
Takeo TOA Co., Ltd. established (now TAKEX Co., Ltd.).
TOA’s emergency broadcast systems approved by the Broadcasting Systems Technical Committee.
“Chika-Chika” Series wireless amplifiers is released.
TOA equipment used for Osaka’s Expo ‘70.
TOA PA system installed on Expo Tower at Expo 70 in Osaka
Radio car used at the Osaka Expo
- Expo ’70 world’s fair opens in Osaka.
1960-
1969
U.S. representative office established in San Francisco.
Emergency warning system developed.
Hotel-oriented emergency broadcast system catalog
- Tomei Expressway completed between Tokyo and Nagoya.
- First FM radio broadcasts by a private broadcasting station begin.
- Apollo 11 successfully lands on the moon.
1968
Establishes a medical equipment sales company, TOA Medical Electronics Co., Ltd. (now Sysmex Corporation).
Establishes Takarazuka Metal Co., Ltd. (name changed to MECANIX Co., Ltd. in 1983), a company specializing in manufacturing metal press dies.
TOA PA system logo introduced.
Holds the 1st PA System Exhibition at the Osaka Shin-Hankyu Building.
New PA system using cabinet-rack format developed.
Megaphone for use in airplanes jointly developed with Japan Airlines.
ER-303 megaphone
- Mexico Olympics.
- Hotel fire in Kobe’s Arima-Onsen Hot Springs kills 30 and triggers revision of Japan’s Fire Services Act.
- 300 million yen robbery carried out in Tokyo.
- Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty established.
1967
Blue Line series of amplifiers developed.
Blue Line Series Amplifiers catalog
- Summer Universiade held in Tokyo.
- European Community (EC) established.
1966
- Japan’s population exceeds 100 million. GNP exceeds 100 billion dollars.
- China launches the Cultural Revolution.
1965
ACOUS Co., Ltd. founded.
Transistor megaphone plant receiver JIS certification.
- Meishin Expressway completed between Kobe and Nagoya.
1964
TOA broadcasting equipment chosen for 31 locations around Tokyo Olympic Games venues.
Making an Impression on International Sporting Events
Tokyo Olympics pamphlet for overseas countries
- Tokaido Shinkansen bullet train service begins.
- Tokyo Olympics.
1963
Automatic blood cell counting instrument developed and first unit delivered.
Establishes Ikegami Metal Co., Ltd., a TOA satellite company specializing in metal spin forming.
Attracted industry-wide attention with development of HA-30 amplifier.
New Year’s card printed in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of TOA’s founding
- NHK begins Japan’s first UHF television broadcasting.
1962
New Production Facility established in Takarazuka, Hyogo Prefecture.
TOA’s new company building in Takarazuka
Orients toward the development of a high power output PA system. Tests prove successful.
Voice transmission test through a gigantic horn speaker
Voice transmission test through a gigantic horn speaker
- First Japan Electronic Industry Exhibition held in Tokyo.
- Cuban Missile Crisis.
1961
The decision is made to make inroads into the medical engineering (ME) industry.
A police motorcycle PA system is developed.
PA device mounted on police bikes
- Second Muroto Typhoon strikes Japan with 202 killed or missing.
1960
“TOA’s Megaphone,” a radio commercial sung by The Peanuts (a popular Japanese singing duo of twin sisters) is produced and regularly broadcast.
- First transistorized televisions put on sale.
- Rome Olympics.
- NHK and four private TV corporations begin color TV broadcasting.
1950-
1959
CA-106 and CA-112 transistor amplifiers for automobiles developed.
TOA headquarters move to a new three-story ferro-concrete building equipped with a complete anechoic chamber.
- Isewan Typhoon hits Central Japan, resulting in over 5,200 casualties.
- Bell Laboratories of the United States announces PN-junction type transistors.
1958
TOA is recognized by MITI (Japan’s Ministry of International Trade and Industry) as a model rationalized factory for small and medium enterprises.
TOA receives the Director-General of Small and Medium Enterprises Agency prize.
The second-generation ER-58 transistorized megaphone is released and well received.
Transistor Megaphone Development Backstory
ER-58 transistorized megaphone
- Third Asian Games held in Tokyo.
- First domestic stereo record put on the market.
1957
Japan’s first transistorized megaphone, the ER-57, is developed.
First in the World, First in Japan
ER-57 transistorized megaphone catalog
TOA NEWS, a company bulletin intended for overseas customers, debuts
- NHK commences FM radio broadcasting.
- NHK and Nippon Television Network Corporation begin experimental color television broadcasting.
- Sputnik 1, Earth’s first artificial satellite, launched into orbit by the Soviet Union.
1956
The EM-202 electric megaphone begins volume exports to the United States.
First floor of the ferroconcrete head office building under construction.
Former headquarters building in Kobe
- Entire Tokaido Line electrified.
- Melbourne Olympics.
- Japan’s entry into the United Nations approved by the U.N. general assembly.
1955
PA-1 and VA-5 portable amplifiers, CM-10 microphone and TS-5A speaker sold in a complete package.
- First domestically produced transistor radios put on the market.
- First Asian-African Conference held in Bandung, Indonesia.
1954
Tokyo Office established.
EM-202, the world’s first electric megaphone, developed.
EM-202 electric megaphone catalog
“Three Guarantees” basic management policy established.
- Toyamaru train ferry sunk by Typhoon No. 15 in the Tsugaru Straight between Aomori and Hakodate with 1,698 casualties.
- First domestically produced transistors sold.
1953
Commencement of trade with India.
Exports to India begin
- NHK television broadcasting commences in Tokyo.
1952
- Helsinki Olympics.
1951
First TOA horn speaker catalog
- Commercial radio broadcasting begins in Japan.
- Treaty of San Francisco and Security Treaty signed by Japan and the U.S.
1950
- Korean War breaks out.
1934-
1949
TOA Electric Co., Ltd. capitalized at Y500,000, with 12 employees and NAKATANI Tsunetaro as president.
Main factory established in Hyogo-ku, Kobe.
TOA's company headquarters in 1934
- Japan Industrial Standard (JIS) established.
- People’s Republic of China established.
1948
- Radio Communication Machinery Industries Association (currently, Electronic Industries Association of Japan) established.
- London Olympics.
- American William Bradford Shockley invents the transistor.
- First Arab-Israeli Conflict breaks out in the Middle East.
1947
TOA returns from Tokushima to Kobe, and restarts operations in Kobe’s Suma ward.
Japan’s first permanent reflex horn speaker developed.
Reflex horn speaker
- Japan’s Constitution ratified.
- United States announces the Marshall Plan.
1946
- First Japanese National Athletic Meet held in Kyoto/Osaka/Kobe area.
1945
The company building is totally destroyed in the March 16 and 17 Kobe air raids.
- Atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
- Japan unconditionally surrenders, bringing end to the Pacific War.
- United Nations organized.
- Korean Peninsula divided into North and South.
1944
Cover of TOA products catalog from around 1944
- Volcanic eruption in Hokkaido creates new mountain (Mt. Showa-Shinzan).
- First Tokyo Air Raids by American B-29 bombers launched from base in Mariana Islands.
1943
Velocity microphone, rack-mount amplifier and horn speaker
(from left to right)
1942
Manufacturing of microphones, amplifiers and speakers consolidated into TOA’s own factory.
1941
- Japanese military attack Pearl Harbor, land on the Malay Peninsula and declare war against the United States and Great Britain, signaling the start of the Pacific War.
- Atlantic Charter agreement signed by the United States and Great Britain.
1940
- Tripartite Pact signed by Japan, Germany and Italy.
1939
The company moves to new premises on Shimosawa-dori in Kobe’s Hyogo ward.
Consistent production of TOA Type 35 Reitz microphones and Type 2010 horn speakers achieved.
Becoming a Specialist in PA Equipment Manufacture
TOA’s unique portable amplifier debuts
- German troops advance into Poland, marking the start of World War II.
- NHK Science & Technical Research Laboratories carry out successful experimental television broadcasts.
1938
- Torrential rains in the Osaka-Kobe region kill 933 people.
1937
- Marco Polo Bridge Incident signals start of the Second Sino-Japanese War.
- Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK) begins radio broadcasts.
1936
- February 26 Incident (attempted coup d’etat by young Imperial Japanese Army officers).
- Berlin Olympics.
- Spanish Civil War breaks out.
1935
1934
Inaugurated in Kobe by NAKATANI Tsunetaro as TOA Electric Manufacturing Company.
Production and sales of horn speakers, microphones and amplifiers begin.
Mr. NAKATANI Tsunetaro (TOA’s first president)
The Kamisawa Street area of Kobe around the time of TOA’s founding
(viewed from Kobe Tower in Shinkaichi.)
- Typhoon Muroto devastates the Kansai region.
- Wireless telephone communication lines open between Tokyo and Manila.