About Us
Company History
| 1887 | Niroku Masaki, with 10 employees, establishes the Masaki Pencil Manufacturing Company in Shinjuku, Tokyo. |
| 1927 | Beginning with Mexico, the company establishes the first of many direct export relationships. Around 1933, this is extended to include markets in India, Egypt, Portugal, Argentina, Belgium and Holland. |
| 1946 | At the end of World War II, the company recommences manufacturing and introduces the “No. 9800” pencil. |
| 1958 | October 1 of this year, sees the momentous launch of the highgrade “uni” pencil. The pencil meets with overwhelming public approval, chalking up sales far greater than anticipated, due to its superior quality and style. This lays the foundation for acceptance of the uni brand worldwide. |
| 1959 | After wrestling with the complexities of ball-point pen assembly, the company takes its first steps as an all-round stationery manufacturer, introducing its first ball-point pen. |
| 1961 | Product variety is subsequently extended by the launch of the company’s first mechanical pencil, with lead advance mechanism. |
| 1979 | Seeking more satisfactory writing performance of roller pens, the company introduces the “uni-ball”, the world’s first roller pen to incorporate a metal tip. The pen’s exceptionally smooth writing performance makes it an immediate hit in the Japanese and American markets, generating explosive sales. |
| 1980 | The oil-based “Paint Marker”, which allows the application of vivid colour to virtually any surface, is released. |
| 1983 | The inimitable water-based pigment ink marker, “Posca”, is introduced. It achieves immediate success with its ability to mark most surfaces without penetration and its superior colour brightness. It also features total water and fade resistance. |
| 1986 | In the year of the company’s 100th anniversary, Mitsubishi Pencil introduces the “Prockey”. A world first, this marker utilises a groundbreaking water-based ink. |
| 1987 | The world’s first pigment ink fluorescent highlighter, “Promark”, is launched. |
| 1993 | Greater consideration for user comfort results in the production of the “Laknock”, a ball-point pen with soft rubber grip for fatigue-free writing. |
| 1994 | The “uni-ball Signo” and “uni-ball eye” are released, featuring an extraordinary water-based pigment ink. |
| 1997 | The world’s first retractable gel-ink pen, “uni-ball Signo Retractable”, is introduced with newly developed non-dry gel ink and a twinball mechanism. |
| 1998 | The “uni-ball Signo broad” is released, with its 1.0 mm ball. This pen is capable of writing one of the world’s broadest lines in gel ink pens. It features smooth writing performance, is useful in a diverse range of situations and comes in a variety of colours. |
| 1999 | Newly-developed fine ceramic colour leads and mechanical pencils, known as “-ish”, are released. Although they deliver superior colour brightness, they are also readily erased as they don’t contain wax. Other excellent characteristics include high resistance to breakage and their ability to write on both light and dark papers. |
| 2001 | The “uni-ball VISION ELITE” is released, featuring an extraordinary water-based pigment ink with airplane-safe technology |
| 2002 | The world’s first clear ink roller ball “uni-ball fusion” with an amazing “clear to colour ink innovation” is introduced. |
| 2003 | New roller pen “JETSTREAM” is released, realized by the quick-drying “NEW ROLLERBALL INK”, which achieves a new, smooth and light feel. The evolution and revolution of gel ink “uni-ball Signo 207” is released, with scratch-free tip, long shelf-life and quick-drying. |
| 2004 | New correction pen “Click Correct” is released, with just one click and you can correct your errors easily. New whiteboard marker “inkview” is released, its transparent barrel [inkview] allows you to see the remaining ink easily. |
| 2005 | With the world smallest 0.18mm ball (as of January 2006) gelink pen “uni-ball Signo bit” is released. “uni-ball Signo PREMIER” with premium grip is released. New “uni-ball Signo UM- 120” with enhanced perfection and quality as a gel ink pen is released. |
| 2006 |  Celebrates the 120th anniversary . |
| 2007 | The “uni-ball VISION NEEDLE” with needle tip is released. It produces a thin and precise line. We release retractable roller ball pen with liquid ink “uni-ball VISION RT”. |
| 2008 | The “uni-ball VISION NEEDLE” with needle tip is released. It produces a thin and precise line. We release retractable roller ball pen with liquid ink “uni-ball VISION RT”.  |
| 2009 |  |
| 2010 | New entry model of JETSTREAM “JETSTREAM 101” is released. New heat reaction erasable gel ink roller ball pen “uni-ball fanthom” is released. Retractable type of entry JETSTREAM “SXN-101” is released. |
| 2011 |  Celebrates the 125th anniversary The “uni Chalk marker” is released. It creates writing that stays on the board when it rains, but which can be cleaned off with a wet cloth.  |