Since 1986, the Monitor has delivered the Mitsubishi Group’s technological, social and environmental achievements in an accessible form to Group employees around the world. Over time, it has covered world-first innovations, record-breaking feats and other success stories, while also providing insight into deeper aspects of the Group’s aims and ambitions. As the Group and its capabilities have evolved, so has the Monitor—from the early near-monochrome to the vivid full-color you hold in your hand.

Oct 87 Dec 88 Jun 90 Japan rockets into the space age with the successful launch of the H-I rocket, borne into space by technologies developed and tested to no small extent by MHI. MHI delivers a tunneling machine for the construction of the Chunnel. Mitsubishi Metal is first to mass-produce gold bonding wires with a loop height of 130 microns—meaning microchips can be made smaller than ever before.

Aug 90 Aug 90 MHI-built manned submersible sets a depth record of 6,526 meters (still held). The Mitsubishi Public Affairs Committee launches the very first Mitsubishi Impression Gallery-Festival of Asian Children’s Art in support of the United Nations’ proclamation of 1990 as the International Literacy Year. PAGE TOP

May 91 Sep 92 Mitsubishi Electric unveils the world’s first CO2 laser that uses microwaves for ignition, with much higher output and accuracy than before. Mitsubishi Estate constructs Japan’s tallest building—The Landmark Tower Yokohama, near Tokyo.

Oct 92 Feb 93 Mitsubishi Motors develops the variable valve timing control technology, enabling the construction of a new, highly fuel-efficient high-performance engine. Mitsubishi Electric installs the world’s first super-fast elevator in The Landmark Tower Yokohama.

Jul 94 Dec 97 As part of an international consortium, Mitsubishi Corporation sets out to build the Jamuna Multipurpose Bridge in Bangladesh—linking the two halves of the country together for the first time. Asahi Glass unveils the world’s first commercially available home optical fibers.

Sep 98 Dec 98 Mitsubishi Electric technology enables the world’s first docking of two unmanned spacecraft. MHI (part of an international consortium) gives Singapore the world’s first electronic road pricing system.

Jun/Jul 99 Apr/May 02 Oct/Nov 02 To commemorate its 120th anniversary, Tokio Marine begins a five-year project to plant 3,000 hectares of mangrove across five Asian nations. Mitsubishi Corporation begins selling DiaMap, the world’s first true 3-dimensional digital map readily accessible to the mass market. Kirin Brewery faithfully reproduces beer production techniques from the period of the Old Kingdom in Egypt, overturning common beliefs on how the ancient Egyptians made their favorite beverage. PAGE TOP

Aug/Sep 03 Jun/Jul 04 Mitsubishi Materials develops a fuel cell that converts a full 40% of its fuel into energy—a big breakthrough for fuel cells. Mitsubishi Electric develops the world’s first reversible LCD screen (can be read from both front and behind). Mitsubishi Rayon begins selling the world's first hollow-fiber membrane water purifier, capable of removing nine hazardous substances.

Aug/Sep 04 Apr/May 05 Nippon Oil commences trials of the world’s first prototype 1 kW residential fuel cell cogeneration system powered by kerosene. MHI develops the first radiation cancer treatment system with a high-precision beam that follows the patient’s minute movements. Mitsubishi Kagaku Media begins producing the world’s first double layer DVD recording disc. Nippon Oil releases the first residential fuel cell cogeneration system powered by liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

Jun/Jul 05 Nikon announces the Face-priority Autofocus technology for digital cameras, making blurred faces from otherwise great shots a thing of the past.

Aug/Sep 05 Dec/Jan 06 The Mitsubishi Group showcases its technologies and achievements at the spectacular Mitsubishi Pavilion at the EXPO 2005 in Aichi, Japan. Nikon introduces Nikon COOLPIX P1 and COOLPIX P2, the world’s first consumer digital still cameras with the advantage of built-in Wi-Fi LAN support.

Oct/Nov 06 Dec/Jan 07 Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ introduces a unique biometric recognition system based on scanning the vein pattern of the user’s palm. Dai Nippon Toryo uses its super-durable high-performance paints to protect Nagasaki City’s Megami Bridge from the elements—preserving the beauty of this soaring landmark for the future.

Feb/Mar 07 Asahi Glass sets out to deliver 350,000 m2 of its ultra-transparent, ultra-light Fluon® EFTE film to the Beijing Olympics 2008. The material is crucial to two of the Games’ architectural marvels: The National Center and the Beijing National Aquatic Center.

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