Corporate Citizenship Timeline

Since its founding, Toshiba has pursued businesses that support people's prosperity and enhance confidence and safety in society.

Major awards received

1993

Toshiba International Foundation receives Japan Mécénat Award from the Association for Corporate Support of the Arts.

2004

Awarded at the first "Guangming CSR Awards" (China).

2005

Awarded at the second "Guangming CSR Awards" (China).

2006

Awarded at the third "Guangming CSR Awards" (China).

2007

Awarded at the fourth "Guangming CSR Awards" (China).

Chronology

1875

Toshiba founded when Hisashige Tanaka (also known as "Karakuri Giemon" meaning "Gadget Wizard") opens a factory in Ginza.

1890

Manufactured Japan's first electric incandescent light bulbs.

1894

Manufactured Japan's first electric fans.

1924

Manufactured and sold Japan's first radio receivers.
Founded Matsuda Ongakudan, first amateur wind instrument orchestra in Japan.

1927

Opened Matsuda Shomei Gakko, first private enterprise museum in Japan.

1930

Developed and announced Japan's first electric washing machines and refrigerators.

1931

Sold Japan's first electric vacuum cleaners.

1945

Founded Toshiba General Hospital.

1948

Founded Toshiba rugby club.

1950

Founded Toshiba basketball club.

1955

Released Japan's first automatic electric rice cookers.

1957

Started broadcasting Toshiba Sunday Theater.

1958

Founded Toshiba baseball club.

1959

Developed Japan's first transistorized televisions. Developed Japan's first microwave ovens.

1961

Opened Toshiba Science Museum

1969

Began broadcasting "Sazae-san."

1982

Began Toshiba Grand Concert series.

1986

Developed and commercialized laptop computers.
Opened Toshiba Gallery at Victoria and Albert Museum, England.

1989

Founded Toshiba International Foundation.

1990

Founded Toshiba America Foundation.

1991

Founded Toshiba Thai Foundation.

1992

Started ExploraVision Awards (EVA) in North America.

1996

Sold IT Vision broadcasting tuner that receives closed captioning.

1997

Supported National Museum of Science and Industry (England) learning materials idea contest.

2000

Commercialized BS digital high-definition TVs.

2002

Official IT Partner of the FIFA World Cup in Korea/Japan.

2003

Established Basic Policy on Corporate Citizenship.
Started "Pink Ribbon Campaign"

2004

Assigned staff to promote social contributions; created social contributions mark.
Conducted campaign "Social Contributions 2004: Committed to People, Committed to the Future."
Started internal sales event by social welfare service corporation.

2005

Established social contribution award (Toshiba "Ashita" Award).
Issued Social Contributions Activities Report.
Held "Minato Appreciation Ceremony" to honor 130th anniversary of founding.
Opened "Toshiba no Mori" (Toshiba Forest) at Gotemba.
Began building two Toshiba Hope Elementary Schools each year in China.
Began holding "electronics disassembly workshops."

2006

The myriad year clock built by founder Hisashige Tanaka is named an important cultural property of Japan.
Started campaign to plant 1.5 million trees.
Official IT Partner of the FIFA World Cup in Germany.
Sponsored the Hope Outstanding Teacher Award.
Started program to donate PCs for reuse.

2007

Concluded industry-participating forest pact with Oita Prefecture.
Official electronics sponsor of the Rugby World Cup in France.

2008

Began support for Real Science Education Institute.
Began teaching competition for aspiring science teachers in China.
Concluded comprehensive forest maintenance pact with Tokyo Metropolis.
Concluded forest usage and protection pact with Kyoto Prefecture.
Concluded "Shizuoka Future Forest Supporter Pact" with Shizuoka Prefecture.
Concluded corporate forestry pact with Hyogo Prefecture.

2009

Sold Japan's first general-purpose LED light bulb.
Donated cherry trees to Republic of Kazakhstan.
Concluded pact with Kanagawa Prefecture to participate in forest restoration.
Concluded corporate forest project pact with Chiba Prefecture.
Concluded comprehensive forest maintenance pact with Aomori Prefecture.
Started sign language classes.

2010

Stopped production of general-purpose incandescent light bulbs.
Concluded corporate forestry pact with Fukushima Prefecture.
Concluded forestry pact with Miyagi Prefecture.
Commercialized the world's first 3D LCD TV not requiring dedicated glasses.

2011

Official sponsor of the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.