JAPAN 

   = Understood to be a current stamp printer.    = company still believed to exist.

 First postage stamp issued: 1871 
Stamp printing for this country is primarily done by: National Printing Bureau (Japan), Toppan (Japan)

British Commonwealth Command Headquarters, Kure.
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1946 (Overprints) for British Commonwealth Occupation Force [BCOF], Japan.

Dai-Nippon Printing Company Limited, Tokyo.
Abbreviation known by: DNP.
Founded: 1876.
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1936 for Japan.

In 1876, Shuueisha was Japan's first full-scale printing company in Central Tokyo. In 1894 it became an incorporated company. A rename to Dai Nippon occurred in 1935 following a merger with Nisshim Printing Co. Ltd. DNP got its start in publication printing and has become today's largest supplier for the publishing industry in Japan.

The company has since diversified its operation to contribute to the interactive multimedia society and to expand its global digital information networks, but still has its roots in print.

Government Printing Works, Tokyo.
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1873 for Japan.

Hirayama-Shuzando, Tokyo.
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1946 for Japan.

This company became involved in stamp printing due to post-war conditions in Japan.

Insatsu Kyoku, Tokyo.
English language translation of name: Printing Bureau.

(See Ministry of Finance Printing Bureau entry.)

Kyodo Printing Company, Tokyo.
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1944 for Japan.

No stamp printing activity noted between 1944 until 1970 when suddenly they re-appear, having produced a set for Dominica.

Kyoto Printing Company, Tokyo.
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1970 for Costa Rica.

Matsuda Atsutomo, Kyoto.
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1871 for Japan.

This private company had the contract to print Japanese bank notes and the first postage stamps of Japan, which appeared in 1871. However, the government was terribly keen to produce security items itself in its own printing establishment, which was a problem as Matsuda tried to keep secret his processes.

Production of stamps did however move to the Ministry of Finance Printing Bureau in 1872, with Matsuda continuing to make the plates for production. This arrangement ceased after the government had succeeded in luring away key-employees from this and other printing companies. 

Ministry of Finance Printing Bureau [Okurasho Insatsukyoku Seizo], Oji Plant, Kita-Ku, Tokyo North. 
Founded: 11 September 1871 as the Paper Money Office under the Ministry of Finance.
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1872 for Japan.
Name changed 2003 - see National Printing Bureau. 
Main printing process(es): Litho, gravure

MFPB Printer Imprint 2003
(Just prior to name change)

Japan's Paper Money Office was the predecessor to the Ministry of Finance Printing Bureau, which was renamed the Paper Money Bureau (Shihei Ryo) in 1871. They commenced printing postage stamps in 1872.

In March 1963, a new plant exclusively for the production of postage stamps and stationery came on-line.

In addition to stamp printing for Japan and several other countries, the Bureau also produces bank notes, securities and revenue stamps, together with official government publications and forms. 
 
Mitsubishi Corporation, [Where?]. 
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1978 for United Nations New York Office.

Mitsubishi Shoji Kaisha, [Where?]. 
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1977 for United Nations New York Office.

Nakao Company, Tokyo. 
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1970 for Vietnam.

National Printing Bureau [Zaimusho Insatsukyoku Seizo], Tokyo. 
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 2003 for Japan.
Main printing process(es): Litho, gravure

NPB Printer Imprint 2003
(Just after name change)

On 1 April 2003 the Ministry of Finance Printing Bureau changed its name to the National Printing Bureau, an independent entity, but still government owned.  This followed major changes in the way that central government was run.

Nihon Seihan Printing Works, Osaka. 
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1923 for Japan.

Shihei Ryo, Tokyo. 
English language translation of name: Paper Money Bureau.

(See Ministry of Finance Printing Bureau entry.)

Shihei Shi, Tokyo. 
English language translation of name: Paper Money Office.

(See Ministry of Finance Printing Bureau entry.)

Shuueisha Printing Works, Tokyo. 
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1923 for Japan.

Shun Printing Company Asato, Okinawa. 
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1952 (Overprints) for Ryuku Islands.

Teikoku Printing Company, Tokyo. 
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1945 for Japan.

This company became involved in stamp printing due to post-war conditions in Japan.

Tokyo-Shoken, Sapporo and Tokyo. 
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1945 for Japan.

This company became involved in stamp printing due to post-war conditions in Japan.

Tokodo, Tokyo. 
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1945 for Japan.

This company became involved in stamp printing due to post-war conditions in Japan.

Toppan Printing Company Limited [Toppan Insatsu Kabushiki Kaisha Seizo], Osaka and Tokyo. 
Founded: 1900.  
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1945 for Japan.
Main printing process(es): Litho

Toppan Printer Imprint 2003

In 1900, Toppan Printing Limited Partnership was founded by a group centred around former engineers from the Ministry of Finance Printing Bureau, who used what was then the most advanced printing technology available, the Erhoht letterpress (galvanoglyph) process. It acquired its current name in 1908.

This company became involved in stamp printing due to post-war conditions in Japan. 

Tsukiji Type Foundry Co., Tokyo. 
First stamp(s) traced by compiler: 1894 for Municipal Post of Chunkiang, China.

 Page updated 01 September 2008..  All material Copyright  © 2000-Date Glenn H Morgan FRPSL.