Updated 22 October 2026
Ophthalmic device distributors in Japan: 123 licensed establishments
The Bastion Hale Distributor Index lists 123 establishments in Japan whose registry records include ophthalmic: 2 independent distributors (a channel role such as importer, distributor, wholesaler or authorised representative, and no manufacturing of their own), 4 manufacturers' own import or sales entities, 0 regulatory representatives, and 117 manufacturers or exporters, out of 568 medical device establishments in Japan overall. The records come from US FDA (openFDA), MHRA UK and Health Canada, last seen on 23 October 2026.
Ophthalmic covers intraocular lenses, diagnostic and surgical equipment, contact lenses and vision care. Buyers are eye hospitals, day surgery centres and optical retail, each with its own distributors. Intraocular lenses are a tender-driven, high-volume line in most public systems.
By role
| Role | Establishments | Share | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distributor | 6 | 5% | Holds a distribution licence or is listed as distributor (Health Canada MDEL, SFDA, Oman MOH). |
| Registration holder | 15 | 12% | Holds device licences or registrations in its own name (Health Canada MDALL licence holder). |
| Manufacturer | 116 | 94% | Registered as a manufacturer with an address in this market, including foreign registrations. |
| Exporter | 33 | 27% | Registered with the US FDA as an exporter of devices made for export. |
An establishment can hold several roles, so the shares add to more than 100%.
Who holds the registration in Japan
In Japan the marketing approval or certification is held by a Marketing Authorisation Holder (MAH) based in Japan, or by a Designated MAH acting for a foreign manufacturer. The foreign manufacturer registers separately with PMDA. An independent D-MAH keeps the approval out of the distributor's hands.
Top 2 independent ophthalmic distributors
Independent distributors only, ranked by the other manufacturers' lines they carry, then registrations held, then size.
Only 2 independent distributors are registered for this segment here; the rest are manufacturers or their own sales entities.
| # | Establishment | Roles | Segments | Products | Registrations | Principals | Size | Complete |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | KAMEMANNEN CO., LTD. Sabae, Fukui | Distributor Distributor, Exporter | Ophthalmic | 2 | 1 | 0 | 20.8 | 3/5 |
| 2 | G.U. CO. LTD. YAMAGUCHI CITY | Distributor Distributor | Ophthalmic | 1 | 1 | 0 | 16.5 | 3/5 |
Include manufacturers, their own sales entities and regulatory representatives (121)
Manufacturers, companies that are a manufacturer's own import or sales arm, and regulatory representatives (authorised representatives, sponsors or registration holders with no import or distribution role). They are registered here but are not independent distributors.
| # | Establishment | Roles | Segments | Products | Registrations | Principals | Size | Complete |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daiso Industries Co., Ltd. Higashihiroshima | Maker's own entity Distributor, Manufacturer, Exporter | Anaesthesia and respiratory, General hospital and consumables, Dental +5 more | 34 | 1 | 0 | 34.8 | 3/5 |
| 2 | LITM INC. Fukui | Maker's own entity Distributor, Manufacturer, Exporter | Ophthalmic | 3 | 1 | 0 | 23.8 | 3/5 |
| 3 | ATELIER CINQ CO., LTD Minato-Ku Tokyo | Maker's own entity Distributor, Manufacturer, Exporter | Ophthalmic | 2 | 1 | 0 | 22.4 | 3/5 |
| 4 | SUPLUS CO., LTD. Shinjuku-ku Tokyo | Maker's own entity Distributor, Manufacturer, Exporter | Ophthalmic | 2 | 1 | 0 | 22.4 | 3/5 |
| 5 | OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORP. HACHIOJI-SHI Tokyo, Hachioji-shi | Manufacturer Registration holder, Manufacturer, Exporter | Anaesthesia and respiratory, Cardiovascular, General hospital and consumables +7 more | 351 | 229 | 0 | 74.0 | 3/5 |
| 6 | CANON INC. Kawasaki Kanagawa | Manufacturer Registration holder, Manufacturer | Aesthetics, dermatology and lasers, Anaesthesia and respiratory, Cardiovascular +8 more | 673 | 129 | 0 | 73.7 | 3/5 |
| 7 | NIDEK CO., LTD. Gamagori | Manufacturer Registration holder, Manufacturer | In-vitro diagnostics, Ophthalmic, Orthopaedics, spine and trauma +1 more | 113 | 57 | 0 | 58.5 | 3/5 |
| 8 | NIHON KOHDEN CORPORATION SHINJUKU-KU Tokyo, Tokyo | Manufacturer Registration holder, Manufacturer | Anaesthesia and respiratory, Cardiovascular, General hospital and consumables +7 more | 92 | 33 | 0 | 57.3 | 3/5 |
| 9 | TOPCON CORPORATION TOKYO | Manufacturer Registration holder, Manufacturer | In-vitro diagnostics, Ophthalmic, Imaging, radiology and radiotherapy +1 more | 45 | 31 | 0 | 53.5 | 3/5 |
| 10 | NIPRO CORPORATION Settsu Osaka | Manufacturer Registration holder, Manufacturer, Exporter | Cardiovascular, General hospital and consumables, Dental +4 more | 51 | 30 | 0 | 55.5 | 3/5 |
| 11 | ARKRAY Factory, Inc. Koka-shi Shiga | Manufacturer Registration holder, Manufacturer | In-vitro diagnostics, Ophthalmic, Surgery and endoscopy | 21 | 18 | 0 | 47.3 | 3/5 |
| 12 | SHIMADZU CORPORATION Nakagyo-Ku | Manufacturer Registration holder, Manufacturer | Cardiovascular, Ophthalmic, Imaging, radiology and radiotherapy | 61 | 16 | 0 | 49.6 | 3/5 |
| 13 | MANI, INC. Utsunomiya, Tochigi | Manufacturer Registration holder, Manufacturer | General hospital and consumables, Ophthalmic | 13 | 13 | 0 | 41.1 | 3/5 |
| 14 | FEATHER SAFETY RAZOR CO., LTD. OSAKA | Manufacturer Registration holder, Manufacturer | General hospital and consumables, In-vitro diagnostics, Ophthalmic +1 more | 16 | 12 | 0 | 44.2 | 3/5 |
| 15 | TOMEY CORPORATION NAGOYA Aichi | Manufacturer Registration holder, Manufacturer | Ophthalmic | 15 | 11 | 0 | 43.5 | 3/5 |
| 16 | Menicon Co., Ltd Nagoya | Manufacturer Registration holder, Manufacturer | Ophthalmic | 22 | 11 | 0 | 42.9 | 3/5 |
| 17 | INAMI & CO., LTD. Bunkyo Tokyo | Manufacturer Manufacturer | General hospital and consumables, In-vitro diagnostics, Ophthalmic +2 more | 32 | 3 | 0 | 37.3 | 3/5 |
| 18 | RIGHT MFG. CO., LTD. Itabashi-Ku Tokyo | Manufacturer Registration holder, Manufacturer | Ophthalmic | 9 | 3 | 0 | 35.9 | 3/5 |
| 19 | TSK Laboratory International Japan KK Tochigi | Manufacturer Registration holder, Manufacturer, Exporter | General hospital and consumables, Ophthalmic, Surgery and endoscopy | 5 | 3 | 0 | 32.5 | 3/5 |
| 20 | KONAN MEDICAL, INC. NISHINOMIYA Hyogo, Hyogo | Manufacturer Manufacturer | Ophthalmic, Imaging, radiology and radiotherapy | 3 | 3 | 0 | 26.6 | 3/5 |
Questions about ophthalmic distributors in Japan
How many ophthalmic distributors are there in Japan?
The Index counts 123 establishments in Japan with ophthalmic in their registry record, of which 2 are independent distributors (a channel role and no manufacturing of their own). The number comes from US FDA (openFDA), MHRA UK and Health Canada and was last refreshed on 22 October 2026.
Who can hold a ophthalmic device registration in Japan?
In Japan the marketing approval or certification is held by a Marketing Authorisation Holder (MAH) based in Japan, or by a Designated MAH acting for a foreign manufacturer. The foreign manufacturer registers separately with PMDA. An independent D-MAH keeps the approval out of the distributor's hands.
How do I find a ophthalmic distributor in Japan?
Open the top establishments on this page and check their roles, principals and registration counts. Then search the Index for your device and Japan to reveal three profiles. For a ranked shortlist for your device, get the Next 10 Markets report.
What does the Distributor Index count as a ophthalmic distributor in Japan?
A company that appears in a public regulatory registry with an address in Japan and whose linked device listings fall in the ophthalmic segment, in any of the roles importer, distributor, wholesaler, authorised representative, registration holder, manufacturer or exporter. Each company is counted once.
Other segments in Japan
Ophthalmic in other Asia Pacific markets
Sources
- US FDA Establishment Registration and Device Listing, openFDA bulk download: 119 establishments, last seen 23 October 2026. US government work, public domain.
- UK MHRA Public Access Registration Database (PARD): 23 establishments, last seen 23 October 2026. Public register.
- Health Canada MDALL active licence listing and MDEL establishment licence listing: 15 establishments, last seen 23 October 2026. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence, Canada.
Index build 22 October 2026. Each establishment is counted once per country after resolving names across sources. Named individuals are never collected.
Registry data. Bastion Hale does not vouch for any establishment.