In 1950, 19-year old Kyoichi Tanaka was employed at Tamamizuya optical shop and first heard of contact lenses from the wife of a U.S. Army officer.
From this encounter, through his own research, he developed the first corneal contact lens in Japan in 1951.
A commemorative plaque has been erected at Tamamizuya (Nishiki, Naka-ku, Nagoya) to mark the birth of this medical device that has earned a place in the history of the twentieth century.（Tamamizuya was closed in 2017.）
Menicon 8 released.
Menicon Soft released.
Intraocular lens developed.
Menicon Europe S.A. established in France.
International Research Conference held to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the company's founding.
Menicon O₂ announced.
Menicon O₂ and Menicon O₂ Care released.
Progent released.
International Research Conference held to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the company's founding.
Menicon Co., Ltd. established.
The manufacturing and sales arms are separated, and Toyo Contact Lens Co., Ltd. continues as a manufaturing company.
Seki Plant established as main manufaturing site in Seki City, Gifu Prefecture.
The first Japanese approval for manufaturing intraocular lenses obtained.
Cataract-related business launched.
Menicon EX released.
Toyo Contact Lens Co., Ltd. and Menicon Co., Ltd. merged to become new Menicon Co., Ltd.
Menicon O₂ -32 released.
Menicon GmbH established in Germany.
Menicon Soft MA released.
Menicon Super EX released.
International symposium held to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the company's founding.
Sponsorship for Menicon Super Concert series starts.
Menicon Soft 72 released.
Menicon Pharma SAS established in France.
Menicon Pharma manufacturing plant established.
Signed official supply agreement with the Japan Professional Football League (J.League)
The Menicon Gallery Menio opened at the former Mainichi Building.
Menicon Soft S released.
Colored IOL (intraocular lenses) Menicon Single Piece NV released.
New headquarter building completed.
Sponsorship for Menicon Cup (the East vs. West Game for Japan Club Youth <U-15> Football) started.
A new Menicon R&D Centre established in Kasugai City, Aichi Prefecture.
A fund for the Menicon Professorship at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) established.
Team Menicon SARD formed to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Suzuka 1,000km races.
Menicon was certified to ISO9001, and received CE Mark certification, which certifies that products meet the safety requirements for export to EU member countries.
Menicon’s first website "MENICON SEE EYELAND" launched.
Menicon Z released.
Meni-One Lens, Japan's first intraocular lens for dogs, released.
Intraocular lens Meni Flex released.
Ophthalmic Medical Products released.
Initiated new business "Bringing Light to Guide Dogs with Cataracts"
Installed a commemorative plaque at birthplace of contact lenses (Tamamizuya).
Menifocal Z and Menifocal Soft S released.
Hidenari Tanaka appointed as President, and Kyoichi Tanaka appointed as Chairman.
Menicon España S.L. (now Menicon Iberia S.L.) established in Spain.
Menicon America, Inc. established in the U.S.
MELS Plan flat-rate membership system launched.
International symposium held to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the company's founding.
A new Menicon Techno Station completed in Kakamigahara City, Gifu Prefecture.
Month Wear and Menicon O2 CARE NEO released.
Therapeutic contact lens for animals Meni-One Therapeutic Contact Lens released.
Menicon Z Night released.
Meni-One Co., Ltd. established as independent company.
Menicon Holdings Europe established in France.
New PROTEOFF released.
Menicon UK established in England.
Epica Heat System, Menicon 1Day, Menicon O² Care Milpha Fresh, Month Wear Toric, and Epica Clear released.
Privacy Mark acquired.
Epica Cold released.
Menicon Holdings B.V. (now Menicon B.V.) in the Netherlands acquired.
Foldable intraocular lens Avansee released.
Menicon Tinu released.
2WEEK Menicon PremiO and Menicon Selest released.
Rose K acquired.
Epica Cold Aqua More, 2WEEK Menicon PremiO Toric, and 2WEEK Menicon DUO released.
Equity stakes in David Thomas Contact Lenses Ltd. (now Menicon Ltd.) in the United Kingdom acquired.
Meni-One X, an intraocular lens for dogs, released.
Magic Toric released.
Equity stakes in Wenzhou FocuSee Vision Care Technologies Co., Ltd. in China acquired.
1DAY Fruttie released in Japan and China.
Equity stakes in Hamano Contact Co., Ltd. acquired.
Kakamigahara Plant expanded.
European Distribution Center expanded and relocated.
A business tie-up agreement concluded with China's Wenzhou Medical University.
Miru 1day UpSide multifocal released.
ALPHA (WUXI) Co., Ltd. established in China.
Equity stakes in Itabashi Trading Co., Ltd. acquired.
70th anniversary of the company's founding.
Meni-One China Co., Ltd. established.
New &D service launched to support the life of dogs.
ClickMiru online contact lens ordering system launched.
1DAY Menicon PremiO Multifocal released.
Miru Online Consultation Service introduced.
XC and XC Bifocal released.
New &HAUS facility opened for dogs requiring lifelong or temporary care.
Menicon Z Night orthokeratology lenses approved as a medical device in China.
2WEEK Menicon Rei Multifocal released.
Shifted to a new management system with two representative executive officers.
Menicon Theater Aoi Building opened.
Miru 3C PLAN flat-rate service launched.
epica Smart clean released.
ALPHA (Wuxi) Co., Ltd. (China) started production of orthokeratology lenses.
1MONTH Menicon MelsME and 1MONTH Menicon MelsME toric released.
Menicon × Tohoku University Co-creation Research Center for Miru Mirai established.
Founder Kyoichi Tanaka passed away on March 10.
Equity stakes in SA Laboratoires Dencott in France acquired.
Menicon SC GmbH in Germany established.
Global Logistics Center established.
Shares and ownership of three distributors in Southeast Asia of Oculus Pte Ltd aquired.