# Olympus Corporation

> Japanese company

**Wikidata**: [Q688619](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q688619)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympus_Corporation)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/olympus-corporation

## Summary

Olympus Corporation is a Japanese electronics company founded on October 12, 1919 [1]. The company is headquartered in Shinjuku [2]. It operates as a kabushiki gaisha . Olympus is primarily engaged in the electronics industry .

## Summary
Olympus Corporation is a Japanese multinational technology company founded in 1919, primarily known for its cameras, medical equipment, and precision instruments. The company is headquartered in Shinjuku, Tokyo and operates as a constituent of the Nikkei 225 stock market index.

## Key Facts
- Founded on October 12, 1919
- Headquarters located in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
- Revenue of 847,100,000,000 yen
- Approximately 33,300 employees worldwide
- Listed on Tokyo Stock Exchange
- Part of Nikkei 225 stock market index
- Owned by Sony Group, Baillie Gifford, and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
- Followed by OM Digital Solutions after corporate restructuring
- Former CEO Michael Christopher Woodford exposed major corporate scandal
- Created Microcassette magnetic tape audio storage medium in 1969
- Japanese company with 43 sitelinks across languages
- Official websites include www.olympus-global.com and www.olympus.de
- Primary industry classification is electronics
- Subsidiaries include multiple Olympus-branded entities
- Member of various industry associations and organizations
- Aliases include OLYMPUS IMAGING CORP., OLYMPUS OPTICAL CO.,LTD, and Orinpasu Kabushiki-gaisha

## FAQs
**Who founded Olympus Corporation and when?**
Olympus Corporation was founded on October 12, 1919, in Japan. The company was established in what is now known as the Tokyo metropolitan area.

**What are the main industries Olympus operates in?**
Olympus primarily operates in the electronics industry, focusing on cameras, medical equipment, and precision instruments. The company has a long history of innovation in optical and imaging technologies.

**What happened with the Olympus scandal involving Michael Woodford?**
Michael Christopher Woodford, former CEO of Olympus, exposed a major corporate scandal that revealed decades of accounting fraud. His whistleblowing efforts brought international attention to governance failures at the company.

**What is Olympus' relationship with other companies and organizations?**
Olympus is owned by Sony Group, Baillie Gifford, and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation. The company is a constituent of the Nikkei 225 stock market index and has various subsidiaries. OM Digital Solutions succeeded Olympus in certain operations.

**What notable products or technologies did Olympus create?**
Olympus created the Microcassette magnetic tape audio storage medium in 1969. The company has also developed numerous camera models including the Olympus E-300, Olympus PEN E-P1, Olympus E-3, Olympus OM-1, and many others across different product lines.

## Why It Matters
Olympus Corporation represents a significant force in Japanese technology and manufacturing, with over a century of innovation in optical and precision instruments. The company's impact extends across multiple industries, from photography and medical devices to scientific instrumentation, making it a cornerstone of Japan's technological advancement. Its camera systems have influenced generations of photographers and continue to be respected in both professional and consumer markets. The corporate scandal that unfolded in the early 2010s also became a landmark case in corporate governance, highlighting the importance of transparency and accountability in multinational corporations. Olympus's position as a constituent of the Nikkei 225 underscores its economic significance within Japan's financial markets and broader Asian business landscape.

## Notable For
- Creating the Microcassette magnetic tape audio storage medium in 1969, demonstrating innovation in audio technology
- Operating as a constituent of the prestigious Nikkei 225 stock market index
- Being the subject of a major corporate accounting scandal exposed by former CEO Michael Woodford
- Maintaining a comprehensive portfolio of camera models spanning multiple decades and product lines
- Having its headquarters in Shinjuku, Tokyo, positioning it within Japan's primary business district
- Achieving substantial revenue of over 847 billion yen, indicating significant market presence
- Being owned by major financial institutions including Sony Group, Baillie Gifford, and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
- Successfully transitioning operations to OM Digital Solutions while maintaining brand recognition
- Contributing to the electronics industry with specialized medical and precision instruments
- Operating with approximately 33,300 employees worldwide, indicating substantial organizational scale

## Body
### History and Formation
Olympus Corporation was founded on October 12, 1919, in Japan. The company originated in what is now the Tokyo metropolitan area, establishing itself as a Japanese technology enterprise. The formation occurred in the early 20th century, positioning Olympus among Japan's pioneering industrial companies. The company has maintained continuous operations for over a century, evolving from its early focus to become a major player in electronics and precision instruments.

### Corporate Structure and Ownership
Olympus operates as a publicly traded company listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. The corporation is owned by major institutional investors including Sony Group, Baillie Gifford, and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation. This ownership structure reflects Olympus's significance within the Japanese and global financial markets. The company maintains a substantial workforce of approximately 33,300 employees worldwide, supporting its diverse product lines and global operations.

### Financial Performance and Market Position
Olympus reported revenue of 847,100,000,000 yen, demonstrating its substantial market presence. The company is a constituent of the Nikkei 225 stock market index, which tracks the performance of Japan's largest and most influential publicly traded companies. This inclusion highlights Olympus's economic importance within Japan's business landscape. The company maintains official websites in multiple languages, including www.olympus-global.com and www.olympus.de, reflecting its international reach.

### Product Lines and Innovation
Olympus has developed numerous camera models across different product lines, including the Olympus E-300, Olympus PEN E-P1, Olympus E-3, Olympus OM-1, Olympus E-450, Olympus PEN E-PL2, Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II, and many others. The company created the Microcassette magnetic tape audio storage medium in 1969, showcasing its innovation in audio technology. These products span multiple decades, from the Olympus OM-1 introduced in 1972 to the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II launched in 2015.

### Corporate Scandal and Governance
Michael Christopher Woodford, former CEO of Olympus, exposed a major accounting scandal that revealed decades of financial misreporting. The scandal became an international case study in corporate governance failures and the importance of whistleblower protection. Woodford's efforts to expose the fraud brought significant attention to Olympus and led to major changes in the company's leadership and operational practices.

### Succession and Organizational Changes
OM Digital Solutions succeeded Olympus in certain operational capacities, representing a significant transition in the company's structure. This succession reflects the evolution of Olympus's business model and strategic focus. The transition occurred around 2020-2021, marking a new chapter in the company's history while maintaining the Olympus brand identity.

### Industry Classification and Operations
Olympus operates primarily in the electronics industry, with Q11650 as its industry classification code. The company specializes in cameras, medical equipment, and precision instruments, leveraging its expertise in optical technologies. The company maintains subsidiaries that support its diverse product portfolio and global operations.

### Geographic Presence and Headquarters
Olympus is headquartered in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan, situating the company within one of Japan's primary business districts. The location provides access to Japan's financial markets and business networks. The company's Japanese origin connects it to the broader ecosystem of Japanese technology companies, including competitors and partners like Sony and other Nikkei 225 constituents.

### Affiliations and Memberships
Olympus is a member of various industry associations and organizations, with Q1361045, Q7389502, and Q2934750 representing its affiliations. These memberships connect Olympus to broader industry networks and standards organizations. The company's participation in these groups supports its ongoing innovation and market competitiveness.

### Brand Identity and Recognition
Olympus maintains multiple aliases including OLYMPUS IMAGING CORP., OLYMPUS OPTICAL CO.,LTD, and Orinpasu Kabushiki-gaisha, reflecting its evolution and international presence. The company's brand recognition extends across multiple product categories and geographic markets. The Olympus name carries significant weight in professional photography, medical equipment, and scientific instrumentation markets.

## References

1. [ソニー、オリンパス株すべて売却 米ファンドが要求. 2019](https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXMZO49164650Z20C19A8TJ2000/)
2. [Olympus Corporation: Shareholders Board Members Managers and Company Profile | JP3201200007 | MarketScreener](https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/OLYMPUS-CORPORATION-6491236/company/)
3. [Source](https://www.olympus-global.com/company/base/office.html?page=company)
4. GRID Release 2017-01-10
5. Virtual International Authority File
6. [Source](https://www.wi-fi.org/membership/member-companies)
7. [Source](https://www.sdcard.org/about_sda/member_companies/index.html)
8. [Source](https://www.olympus.co.jp/company/profile/top.html?page=company)
9. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
10. [Source](https://search.gleif.org/#/record/5299000Y52IFDI1I2A21)
11. Google Knowledge Graph
12. GRID Release 2016-12-06
13. Open Funder Registry
14. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
15. [Source](https://golden.com/wiki/Olympus_(company)-GEZGX6M)