Dr. Kitasato
and the Founding of Terumo

The Company Charter (excerpts)

In the aftermath of World War I, the world has dramatically changed, and the great nations of the world have begun rebuilding and reorganizing. They are focusing their national energies on recovery and development, and peaceful competition is becoming more intense.

Our goal in establishing the company is to manufacture and sell a wide variety of clinical and other thermometers and scientific instruments. Though we are in a largely ignored niche market, we believe that we are not only engaged in a business enterprise but are also helping the public to understand that taking good care of oneself is essential to good health. With the understanding that public health is the basis of a stable nation, we are engaged in an industry that is vital to the nation.

Recently, we have realized that the development and spread of the concept of individuals taking care of their own health has led to increased demand for thermometers in Japan as well as in the developed nations of Europe and the United States, upon whom we have thus far depended to supply us with these items. But as the balance between supply and demand shifts, we are fast reaching a time when the present situation will reverse, and there will be increased demand outside of Japan for products manufactured in Japan. This will inevitably lead to increased exports of our country's products. Thus, we are supremely confident that our company's future prospects are highly promising, that our profit will be great, and our business will thrive far into the future.

Doctors in Japan have used thermometers made outside of Japan, i.e. by the German firm Bick, the British firm Ziehl, and the U.S. firm Johnson. With the ability to measure temperature quickly and accurately, these devices seemed nearly flawless. However, clinical physicians have expressed some dissatisfaction. Problems they cite are that the exact mercury level can be hard to read and resetting the mercury for the next measurement was difficult, which makes it difficult to precisely determine a patient's temperature. Thus, Eiji Takeuchi, one of the most highly skilled engineers in this field, devoted himself for five long years, sacrificing much and overcoming many hardships until he finally developed a way to eliminate these drawbacks by inventing a thermometer with colored mercury. Not only unparalleled in Japan, it is also the thermometer of choice around the world.

Therefore, in order to build upon the research done by Eiji Takeuchi and play our part in the development of a national industry, we will take over the right to engage in industry and business from Eiji Takeuchi, take control of the factory belonging to him, and invest generous sums of money into the advancement and improvement of the national business. The factory was recommended as a model factory by the government authority, after a visit for a preparatory inspection of its thermometers. Thermometer inspection was added under the newly expanded weights and measures regulations implemented in January 1921. On this occasion, with further development and efforts thus encouraged, we will work to support the health of the nation by manufacturing and supplying high-quality products to meet the growing needs both in Japan and around the world, while striving to improve the national economy.

In sum, our company is in a niche industry with the demand that is bound to grow. We expect a bright future that promises increased accumulation of capital. We sincerely hope that the public understands our vision and offer us support.