Nakajima Corporation

Nakajima Corporation (株式会社ナカジマコーポレーション) is a Japanese company engaged in the planning, manufacturing, and sale of plush toys and miscellaneous goods for both domestic and overseas markets. Founded in 1919 in Kameido, Koto-ku, Tokyo, by Kenji Nakajima, the company began with celluloid toy dolls and later expanded into vinyl toys, inflatable beach items, and eventually its current core products: stuffed animals and character merchandise. It is headquartered in Kameido, Koto-ku, Tokyo, and operates a showroom nearby. The company's mission is to provide a life of comfort and enrichment through its products, positioning itself as a 'comfortable lifestyle creation company.' It has entered licensing agreements with major character brands, including Walt Disney Japan in 1962, Sanrio in 1988, and Sony Creative Products (Snoopy) in 2010. The company celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2019 and relocated its headquarters from Shin-Koiwa to its current location in 2020. As of its latest corporate profile, it has capital of 100 million yen and approximately 90 employees including part-time staff. Its fiscal year ends in December. The representative director is Shinichi Ikawa, who assumed the role in July 2023 following the retirement of the previous president, Nakajima, who became chairman. The company also operates a B2B online shop for wholesale customers, with new product orders accepted on a monthly basis.

Nakajima Corporation traces its origins to 1919 (Taisho 8), when the first-generation Kenji Nakajima started manufacturing celluloid toy dolls in Kameido, Koto-ku, Tokyo. In 1945 (Showa 20), the business relocated from Kameido to Shin-Koiwa. In 1953 (Showa 28), it was reorganized as a joint-stock company and began manufacturing inflatable vinyl toys. On July 2, 1959 (Showa 34), the company changed its trade name to Nakajima Seisakusho Co., Ltd. (株式会社中嶋製作所). In 1962 (Showa 37), it started producing character inflatable rings, boats, and pools, and entered into a contract with Walt Disney Japan Co., Ltd. In 1971 (Showa 46), it established Nasco Co., Ltd. (有限会社ナスコ) as an affiliated company for planning and development. In 1986 (Showa 61), a new head office building was constructed at 1-7-8 Chuo, Edogawa-ku. In 1988 (Showa 63), Partner Co., Ltd. (株式会社パートナー) was established, and the company entered into a contract with Sanrio Co., Ltd. On May 21, 1991 (Heisei 3), the company changed its trade name to Nakajima Corporation (株式会社ナカジマコーポレーション). In 2010, it entered into a contract with Sony Creative Products Inc. (Snoopy). In 2019, the company celebrated its 100th anniversary. On July 1, 2020 (Reiwa 2), it relocated its head office from Shin-Koiwa to its current location in Kameido. On July 1, 2023 (Reiwa 5), Representative Director Nakajima retired and became Chairman, and a new organizational structure was launched with the appointment of a new Representative Director, Shinichi Ikawa. The company continues to plan, manufacture, and sell plush toys and miscellaneous goods for domestic and overseas markets, and to develop its own original characters.

• 2023

  Representative Director Nakajima retired and became Chairman; Shinichi Ikawa appointed Representative Director on July 1.

• 2020

  Relocated head office from Shin-Koiwa to current location on July 1.

• 2019

  Celebrated 100th anniversary.

• 2010

  Contracted with Sony Creative Products Inc. (Snoopy).

• 1991

  Changed trade name to Nakajima Corporation on May 21.

• 1988

  Established Partner Co., Ltd. on October 11; contracted with Sanrio Co., Ltd.

• 1986

  New head office building constructed in Edogawa-ku, Tokyo.

• 1971

  Established Nasco Co., Ltd. as an affiliated planning and development company on March 3.

• 1962

  Started manufacturing character inflatable rings, boats, and pools; contracted with Walt Disney Japan.

• 1959

  Changed trade name to Nakajima Seisakusho Co., Ltd. on July 2.

• 1953

  Reorganized as a joint-stock company; began manufacturing inflatable vinyl toys.

• 1945

  Relocated from Kameido to Shin-Koiwa.

• 1919

  Founded in Kameido, Koto-ku, Tokyo; started celluloid toy dolls.

Comfortable lifestyle creation company offering plush toys and goods that provide comfort and enrichment.

• Plush toys

  Core product line of stuffed animals and character plush.

• Character goods

  Merchandise featuring licensed characters such as Disney, Sanrio, and Snoopy.

• Inflatable beach items

  Inflatable rings, boats, and pools, including character-themed versions.

• Vinyl toys

  Vinyl toys manufactured since the 1950s.

1. 1ナカジマコーポレーション official websitenakajimacorp.co.jp
2. 2about us – ナカジマコーポレーションnakajimacorp.co.jp
3. 3Nakajima Corporation - Wikidatawikidata.org