History of SAKATA SEED CORPORATION | Sakata Seed 100th Anniversary Special Site

1913	The company's founder, Takeo Sakata, founded 'Sakata Noen' upon his return to Japan from Europe and North America.
1914	First export of lily bulbs to Europe and North America.
1916	Export of seedlings becomes difficult and sales of seed commences.
1920	First publication of export catalogue.
1921	Establishment of the first germination laboratory in Japan. Chicago Branch opens
1922	New three-story office built at 2-Sakai-machi, Yokohama (in front of Yokohama Park).
1923	Offices destroyed by fire in the Great Kanto Earthquake. Chicago Office closes as a result of the earthquake disaster.
1924	Relocated to 65 Nishihiranuma-cho Yokohama City.
1926	New offices and warehouse built at 2-13 Nishihiranuma.
1927	Warehouse destroyed by fire. Domestic catalogue "Sono no Izumi" published.
1928	Rebuilding of offices and warehouse on the 2-13 Nishihiranuma site.
1930	Establishment of Chigasaki Breeding Station and commencement of R&D over wide ranging varieties.
1931	First issue of "Sono no Izumi, Hobby Edition" (the cornerstone of current gardening news).
1934		F₁ All Double Petunia "Victorious Mixed", the world´s first All double flower. Awarded Silver in the All-America Selections. The petunia was introduced in Japan as Tsukubane Asagao (morning glory shuttlecock)... read more
1935	Reclassification of "Sono no Izumi" as Sakata Seed inventory, dividing it into wholesale, commercial, common and hobby editions. Opening of Ofuna Farm.	Celosia "Flame Of Fire". Awarded Silver in the All-America Selections.
1936	Lily export catalogue published.
1938	"Sakata Seeds" is registered as a trademark.	Petunia "Blue Gem". Awarded Special Prize in the All-America Selections. F₁ Petunia "Victorious Gaiety". Awarded Bronze in the All-America Selections. F₁ Petunia "Victorious Orchid Beauty" Awarded Silver in the All-America Selections.
1939	Shanghai Branch opens and seed is exported to North America.	F₁ Petunia "Victorious Apple Blossom". Awarded Bronze in the All-America Selections.
1940		World's first F₁ cabbage "Suteki Kanran". At Sakata, we have many "ground-breaking stories". One such story is that of the... read more Petunia "Glow". Awarded Silver in the All-America Selections.
1941		F₁ Petunia "Blue Brocade". Awarded Silver in the All-America Selections Petunia "First Lady". Awarded Silver in the All-America Selections.
1942	Company is incorporated as "Sakata Seed Corporation." Shanghai Branch closes due to proliferation of war.
1944	Offices moves to Honmachi, Naka-ku, Yokohama.
1945	Offices destroyed by fire in Yokohama air raid and business moves to Fujisawa.
1948	Headquarter moves to 2-Kiribatake, Kanagawa-ku.
1951	Shop unit opens at Headquarter (currently Garden Center Yokohama) Becomes a forerunner to gardening shops in Japan.
1957		F₁ Petunia "Glitters". Awarded Bronze in the All-America Selections.
1959	Misato Research Station established in Misato, Minami-Azumi Gun, Nagano Prefecture (presently Azumino City).
1960	Chogo Research Station established in Chogo, Fujisawa, Kanagawa Prefecture and launched as a vegetable breeding farm.
1961	Nakai Research Station established in the town of Nakai, Ashigarakami Gun, Kanagawa Prefecture.
1962		"Prince" melon released. Historically, soft-fleshed, sweet melons were grown in greenhouses in Japan, each... read more Dianthus "Bravo". Awarded Silver in the All-America Selections.
1964		Celosia "Fireglow". Awarded Bronze in the All-America Selections.
1965	Takeo Sakata wins the All-America Selections Medallion of Honor. In 1965, Sakata Seed Corporation's founder, Takeo Sakata, was the first... read more	Cabbage "Kinkei 201" released. Cabbage "Savoy King". Prize-winner in the All-America Selections. F₁ Antirrhinum "Floral Carpet Rose". Awarded Bronze at the All-America Selections.
1966	Establishment of Hazawa offices at Hazawa Chou, Kanagawa Ku, Yokohama, as product packaging and distribution base.	World's first F₁ Pansy "Majestic Giant Mixed" and "Majestic Giant White with Blotch". Awarded Bronze in the All-America Selections. Pansies, originally a plant that flowers in spring, was grown for a long time as an ... read more Dianthus "Red Monarch". Awarded Bronze in the All-America Selections.
1967	Fukuoka Representative Office opens (currently Kyushu Branch Office).
1968		Celosia "Golden Triumph". Awarded Bronze in the All-America Selections.
1969		Centaurea "Snowball". Awarded Bronze in the All-America Selections. F₁ Cabbage "Stonehead". Awarded Silver in the All-America Selections. F₁ Cabbage "Harvester Queen". Awarded Bronze in the All-America Selections.
1970	Establishment of Chogo Shipping Center, Mail Order Dept (closed May 2006).	Morning Glory "Early Call". Awarded Bronze in the All-America Selections.
1971	Kimitsu Research Station opens in Sodegaura Chou (presently Sodegaura city), Kimitsu Gun, Chiba Prefecture, for the expansion of vegetable breeding research. Sendai Branch opens. (Presently Sendai Sales Branch)	Import and sale of sweetcorn "Honey Bantam". F₁ Hibiscus "Southern Belle". Awarded Silver in the All-America Selections.
1972		Sale of "Zuiko"Tomato with multiple disease resistance. Release of Spinach "Atlas". Hollyhock "Summer Carnival". Awarded Bronze in the All-America Selections. Sole agent for Jiffy products. Seedling production is important, as in the term a "seedling determines half... read more "Green Duke" broccoli, targeted to overseas customers, makes market debut. Raising broccoli for commercial purposes began in earnest in the 1920's in ... read more
1974	Shirakawa Sales Office opens (closed May 2002).	Celosia "Red Fox". Awarded Bronze in the All-America Selections. Cosmos "Diablo". Awarded Bronze in the All-America Selections.
1975	Acquisition of Jiffy Pots Products Co. of Japan, Ltd.	F₁ Carnation "Juliet". Awarded Bronze in the All America Selections.
1976	Okayama Branch opens (closed May 2004). Headquarter moves to Minami-Ku, Yokohama.
1977	Expansion work carried out on former headquarter and turned into a garden center. Sakata Seed America Inc. established.	Release of "Andes" melon F₁ Petunia "Victorious Blushing Maid". Awarded Bronze in the All-America Selections.
1978		F₁ Watermelon "Sweet Favorite". Awarded Bronze in the All-America Selections.
1979	Kyoei Noji Co.,Ltd. established. (currently Sakata Logistics Co., Ltd.)
1980	Sapporo Branch opened (presently Hokkaido Branch). Sakata Florist Co.,Ltd. established (May 1999 final liquidation).	Sales of "Marathon" Broccoli, a variety aimed at overseas market.
1981		Celosia "Apricot Brandy". Awarded Bronze in the All-America Selections.
1982	Nakai Engei Co., Ltd. established (final liquidation January 2009).	F₁ Carnation "Scarlet Luminette". Awarded Bronze in the All-America Selections. F₁ Carnation "Scarlet Luminette". Awarded Bronze by Fleuroselect.
1983	70th anniversary. Flower show held in Mukogaoka Amusement Park.	F₁ Petunia "Red Picotee". Awarded Bronze in All-America Selections. F₁ Petunia "Red Picotee". Awarded Bronze by Fleuroselect.
1985	Nagoya Branch opens (closed in May 2006 when business was centralized at the current Nishi Nihon Branch). Salinas Research Station opens.	Release of Sakurasuto high tech seeds. Release of Sweetcorn "Peter Corn". Prior to 1970, the problem with corn was that it suddenly lost its taste shortly after... read more Celosia "Century Mix". Awarded Bronze in the All-America Selections.
1986	Corporate name changed to "Sakata Seed Corporation".
1987	Listed on Tokyo Stock Exchange Second Section. Yamagata Vegetable Center Co.,Ltd. established (presently Yamagata Celltop Co., Ltd.).	Successful culture of Chinese cabbage pollen. Successful culture of broccoli from anthers. Successful introduction of cytoplasmic male sterility into Cabbage.
1988	Establishment of Sakata Kosan Co., Ltd. Higashimura Propagation Center Co. Ltd., established (presently Brolead Co., Ltd.). European representative office opens.	F₁ Shasta Daisy "Snow Lady". Prize-winner in the All-America Selections.
1990	European representative office incorporated locally and "Sakata Seed Europe B.V." was established (presently Sakata Holland B.V.). Listed on Tokyo Stock Exchange First Section. Kakegawa Research Center established in Kakegawa City, Shizuoka Prefecture. Hokkaido Research Station opens in Higashikagura Chou, Kamigawa Gun, Hokkaido. Kanto Kita Branch opens (closed May 2006 when business was centralized at the present Higashi Nihon Branch). Nagano Celltop Co. Ltd., established Hida Celltop Co. Ltd., established.	Exhibitor at the International Garden and Greenery Exposition, Osaka. Lisianthus "King of Snow" awarded the Grand Prize. In 1990, this lisianthus was awarded top prize at the "International Garden &... read more
1991	Sakata Seed Chile S.A. established. Yokohama Branch opens (presently Higashi Nihon Branch).	F₁ Pansy "Maxim Marina". Prize winner in the All-America Selections. F₁ Squash "Tivoli". Prize winner in the All-America Selections.
1992	Fukuoka Celltop Co. Ltd., established.
1993	80th Anniversary. Dream Show held at Kakegawa Research Station. Establishment of Sakata Seed Mexico S.A. de C.V.. Opening of Florida Research Station.
1994	Acquisition of Agroflora S.A.. (Brazil). Sakata Seed do Brazil Ltda. (presently Sakata Seed Sudamerica Ltda..) established. Research station established in Bragança Paulista Research Station. Yamagata Bulb Shipping Center opens (closed May 2008). Kazo Center opens (closed December 2009). Opening of Shiga Breeding Branch Station (closed October 1999).
1995	Completion of/transfer into new headquarter building in Tsuzuki-ku, Yokohama.
1996	Acquisition of Flora Feliz S.A. (Costa Rica). (presently Sakata Centroamerica S.A.) Establishment of Sakata Siam Seed Co., Ltd. (Thailand). Establishment of Sakata Seed Iberia S.L. (Spain). Establishment of Sakata Seed France S.A.R.L..(presently Sakata Vegetables Europe S.A.S.) Acquisition of Samuel Yates Ltd. (UK) (presently Sakata UK Limited). Osaka Branch opens. (presently Nishi Nihon Branch)
1997	Acquisition of Chung Won Seed Co.,Ltd. (presently Sakata Seed Korea). Establishment of Korean Office. Share acquisition in Nishio Shokubutsu Co.,Ltd. Establishment of Khon Kaen Research Station.	Celosia "Prestige Scarlet". Prize-winner in the All-America Selections. Gypsophelia "Gypsy Pink." Prize-winner in the All-America Selections.
1998	Establishment of Sakata Seeds (Suzhou) Co.,Ltd. (China). Establishment of Uchaud Research center. Gerden Center Shonan opens (closed in November 2005).	F₁ Campanula "Champion Blue" & "Champion Pink". Awarded Gold by Fleuroselect.
1999	Acquisition of May Ford Holding Ltd. (South Africa) (presently Sakata Seed Southern Africa Pry). Acquisition of Willgro Nurseries Ltd. (UK) (presently Sakata Ornamentals UK Ltd.) Sakata Middle East Regional Office opens	Zinnia "Profusion Cherry" & "Profusion Orange". Both awarded Gold by All-America Selections. Zinnia Elegans (zinnia) have been improved for over 150 years, with numerous... read more Zinnia "Profusion Cherry". Awarded Gold by Fleuroselect.
2000	Yoju Research Station opens (Korea). Sakata Seed Guatemala, S.A. established.	F₁ Dianthus "Melody Pink". Prize-winner in the All-America Selections.
2001	European Sakata Holdings (France) established as headquarters for Europe/Africa. Chiba Branch sales office established (presently Narita Office of Higashi Nihon Branch). European Sakata Holdings established. Sakata Techno Service Co.Ltd. established.	Zinnia "Profusion White". Awarded Gold in the All-America Selections. Zinnia "Profusion White". Awarded Gold by Fleuroselect.
2002	Alf Christianson Seed Co becomes a subsidiary company (including Mount Vernon Research Station). Garden Center Yokohama renewed and re-opened. Domestic sales organization reorganized into four-branch structure. Landscaping Division awarded ISO 9001:2000 certification. Okayama Distribution Center established.	F₁ Pansy "Morpho". Prize-winner in the All-America Selections F₁ Pansy "Morpho". Awarded Gold by Fleuroselect.
2003	90th year anniversary. Acquisition of the flower division of L.Dæhnfelte A/S (Denmark). Sakata Seed reached an agreement with major European nursery... read more Seed Testing Dept.obtained the certification of The International Seed Testing Association for the first time in Japan among private companies. Establishment of Sakata Ornamentals Europe S/A. Establishment of Odense Research Station.	F₁ Petunia "Merlin Blue Morn". Prize-winner in the All-America Selections. F₁ Carnation "Can Can Scarlet". Awarded Gold by Fleuroselect. F₁ Carnation "Can Can Scarlet". Prize-winner in the All-America Selections.
2004		Gypsophelia "Gypsy Deep Rose". Prize-winner in the All-America Selections. Release of mini tomato "Aiko". Haven't cute, mini plum tomatoes become a staple on supermarket shelves? "Aiko"... read more
2005	Shunichiro Suda wins the All-America Selections Medallion of Honor. In 2005, Shunichiro Suda (company senior managing director at the time) won... read more Acquisition of Qualiveg Seed Production, Inc. (America). Establishment of Sakata Seed Oceania Pty Ltd.(Australia).	Release of SunPatiens®. Awarded Good Design Award for "Rogina®" series lisianthus. Lisianthus was originally a single flower wild species native to North America... read more
2006	Yaita Logistics Center opens in Yaita, Tochigi Prefecture.	Awarded Grand Prize at Japan Flower Selection in Bedding Flower Division for "Sunberina Petit Morpho" viola.
2007	Adoption of Executive Officer System.	Awarded Grand Prize at Japan Flower Selection in Bedding Flower Division for "Lavender" sun patients.
2008	Establishment of Sakata Seed India Private Limited.	Empirical evidence of SunPatiens® environmental purification capabilities Environmental cleansing SunPatiens® fulfill the dream of being "beautiful and... read more Awarded Grand Prize at Japan Flower Selection in Cut Flower Division for "Rogina Lavender" lisianthus.
2009	Hazawa Distribution Center opens.	Sale of the Sunflower "Vincent's" series. We developed the world's ground-breaking, pollenless, F1 hybrid cut sunflower... read more
2010	Vegetable Seed Production Dept. and Flower Seed Production Dept. newly established. Establishment of Sakata America Holdings Company,Inc.	F₁ "Seirin" cabbage authorized for "2009 Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Authorized Variety," the first authorized variety developed in the private sector.
2011	Establishment of Sakata Turkey (Sakata Tarίm Ürünleri ve Tohumculuk Sanayi ve Ticaret LÎMÎTED ŞÎRKETÎ). 60th year anniversary of Garden Center Yokohama and 80th year anniversary of mail order.

Varieties inserted in the history of varieties will be updated in order.

All-America Selections: Flowers: A competition of the world's most prestigious floral varieties, held in North America for general gardening enthusiasts.

Japan Flower Selection: Competition which began in 2006 to select outstanding new varieties of flower of both domestic and international origin.

All-America Selections: Vegetables: A competition of the world's most prestigious vegetable varieties, held in North America for general gardening enthusiasts.
Fleuroselect: A competition of the world's most prestigious floral varieties, held in Europe for general gardening enthusiasts and commercial producers.

Good Design Awards: A only system of comprehensive design evaluation/recommendation in Japan, the "Good Design Award" began in 1999 under the sponsorship of the Japan Institute of Design Promotion. The system is a successor to the "Good Design Products Selection System (G-Mark System.)", created by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry in 1957. The Japan Institute of Design Promotion positions "Good Design Awards" as foundations to a prosperous economy and recognizes the eminent powers of distinctive designs for the advancement of lifestyle and industrial activity.