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.

  • High-definition Gallery system at the Museum of Fine Arts, Gifu
  • DNP’s first web site
  • Center for Contemporary Graphic Art (CCGA)
  • Reforestation venture in Vietnam
  • Build-up wiring board
  • Server racks at Internet Data Center
  • Contactless IC tags
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
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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.