International toy show in Tokyo

International toy show in Tokyo

Photo taken on Aug. 28, 2025, shows the new Funshot digital toy camera, which allows users to create sticker-like photos decorated with "Hello Kitty" and other Sanrio characters, exhibited by Japanese toy maker Takara Tommy Co. at the International Tokyo Toy Show at the Tokyo Big Sight convention center.

International toy show in Tokyo

International toy show in Tokyo

Photo taken on Aug. 28, 2025, shows the new Funshot digital toy camera, which allows users to create sticker-like photos decorated with "Hello Kitty" and other Sanrio characters, exhibited by Japanese toy maker Takara Tommy Co. at the International Tokyo Toy Show at the Tokyo Big Sight convention center.

Takara Bio's appearance, logo, and signboard

Takara Bio's appearance, logo, and signboard

Takara Bio's appearance, logo, and signboard=July 16,2025,Shiga

Takara Bio's appearance, logo, and signboard

Takara Bio's appearance, logo, and signboard

Takara Bio's appearance, logo, and signboard=July 16,2025,Shiga

Takara Bio's appearance, logo, and signboard

Takara Bio's appearance, logo, and signboard

Takara Bio's appearance, logo, and signboard=July 16,2025,Shiga

Takara Bio's appearance, logo, and signboard

Takara Bio's appearance, logo, and signboard

Takara Bio's appearance, logo, and signboard=July 16,2025,Shiga

Takara Bio's appearance, logo, and signboard

Takara Bio's appearance, logo, and signboard

Takara Bio's appearance, logo, and signboard=July 16,2025,Shiga

Takara Bio's appearance, logo, and signboard

Takara Bio's appearance, logo, and signboard

Takara Bio's appearance, logo, and signboard=July 16,2025,Shiga

Designer Junko Koshino's expo uniforms

Designer Junko Koshino's expo uniforms

Japanese fashion designer Junko Koshino (2nd from R) unveils in Osaka on March 7, 2025, uniforms to be worn by staff working at the booth of Takara Belmont Corp., a manufacturer of equipment for barbershops and beauty salons, during the 2025 World Exposition in the western Japan city.

Designer Junko Koshino's expo uniforms

Designer Junko Koshino's expo uniforms

Japanese fashion designer Junko Koshino (2nd from L) unveils in Osaka on March 7, 2025, uniforms to be worn by staff working at the booth of Takara Belmont Corp., a manufacturer of equipment for barbershops and beauty salons, during the 2025 World Exposition in the western Japan city.

International toy show in Tokyo

International toy show in Tokyo

Photo taken on June 8, 2023, shows the Sora-Q mini moon exploration robot exhibited by Japanese toymaker Takara Tomy Co. at the International Tokyo Toy Show at the Tokyo Big Sight convention center.

Cuba's Bermoy wins women's 48kg at Kano judo tournament

Cuba's Bermoy wins women's 48kg at Kano judo tournament

TOKYO, Japan - Cuba's Yanet Bermoy (L) grapples with Japan's Mayumi Takara in the final of the women's 48-kilogram contest at the Kano Cup international judo tournament at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium on Dec. 9. Bermoy won the gold.

Mazda to buy Mine racing circuit from Takara for car tests

Mazda to buy Mine racing circuit from Takara for car tests

YAMAGUCHI, Japan - Keiichi Wakabayashi, head of Mazda Motor Corp.'s public relations and planning division, speaks at a news conference in Yamaguchi about the company's decision to buy a motor racing circuit owned by toymaker Takara Co.

Toymakers Takara, Tomy to merge next March

Toymakers Takara, Tomy to merge next March

TOKYO, Japan - (From R to L) Takara Co. Chairman Keita Sato, Tomy Co. President Kantaro Tomiyama and Index Corp. Chairman Masami Ochiai pose for photos during a news conference in Tokyo on May 13. Takara, Japan's No. 2 toymaker, and Tomy, the third largest, agreed to merge March 1 next year. Index Corp. is Takara's largest shareholder.

Takara holds seminar for Santa Claus wannabes

Takara holds seminar for Santa Claus wannabes

TOKYO, Japan - Toy maker Takara Co. held a seminar in Tokyo on Dec. 8 featuring mambo musician Paradise Yamamoto, the only Japanese ''official'' Santa Claus, to teach aspiring Santas the tricks of the trade. Yamamoto, authorized by the dean of Greenland International Santa Clause Association, lectured to about 40 Japanese people, mainly fathers, dressed in Santa Claus costumes on such topics as how to give presents to children and say ''Ho! Ho! Ho!'' in an appropriately Santa-like voice.

Takara to put 'Meow-Lingual' on sale in November

Takara to put 'Meow-Lingual' on sale in November

TOKYO, Japan - Toy maker Takara Co. said on July 17 it will put on sale a cat-to-human-language translation device, dubbed ''Meow-Lingual'' (photo), in November. According to Takara, the device can analyze cats' feelings from their voiceprints and display them on the liquid crystal screen in more than 200 words. Takara developed and began selling a dog-to-human-language translation device ''Bow-Lingual'' last year.

Takara faces patent suit over hit home karaoke system

Takara faces patent suit over hit home karaoke system

TOKYO, Japan - File photo shows the e.kara portable home karaoke system marketed by Takara Co. Patent control company Ricos Co. said July 11 it filed a 900 million yen damages suit against Takara, claiming the toy maker violates one of its patents.

Takara releases Tigers version of electric vehicle Qi

Takara releases Tigers version of electric vehicle Qi

TOKYO, Japan - Toy maker Takara Co. has begun selling 77 units of its single-seat electric vehicle Qi with a design inspired by the Hanshin Tigers professional baseball team. Available for 1.45 million yen, the units come in yellow and black and carry the Tigers logo on their front and side panels. Takara decided to release 77 specially designed units in the Qi (pronounced ''cue-no'') series because that is the number on Tigers manager Senichi Hoshino's jersey.

Single-seated electric car 'Qi' to be rented in Kyoto

Single-seated electric car 'Qi' to be rented in Kyoto

KYOTO, Japan - An apprentice geisha sits in a single-seat ''Qi'' electric car in the Japanese city of Kyoto on June 30. Toy maker Takara Co. and Nippon Rent-A-Car Service Inc. will begin renting the ''Qi'' in Kyoto on July 1.

'Bow-Lingual' awarded 'Ig Nobel' peace prize

'Bow-Lingual' awarded 'Ig Nobel' peace prize

BOSTON, United States - Masahiko Kajita of Japanese toy maker Takara Co. holds up a dog-to-human-language translation device, dubbed ''Bow-Lingual,'' at a ceremony of the 12th annual ''Ig Nobel Prizes,'' a parody of the Nobel prizes, at Harvard University in Boston on Oct. 3. Takara's device was given the award for ''promoting peace and harmony between the species.''

Takara to release single-seat electric car in Nov.

Takara to release single-seat electric car in Nov.

TOKYO, Japan - Toy maker Takara Co. said July 9 it will release the first model in its Q-Car series of single-seat electric vehicles in November. The new car, called Qi and pronounced ''q-no,'' can be charged by plugging it into a conventional household electric socket. It can travel 80 kilometers after being charged for eight hours and can reach speeds of up to 50 km per hour. Takara will put 99 units on the market for 1.29 million yen each.

(1)Takara to release ''Q-Car'' electric vehicles

(1)Takara to release ''Q-Car'' electric vehicles

TOKYO, Japan - A woman passes by a sedan in a Tokyo hotel parking area Jan. 22 in a prototype ''Q-Car 2010'' electric vehicle which toy maker Takara Co. plans to market in September. Takara said the one-seat car can travel 80 kilometers after being charged for 8 hours, and can reach speeds of up to 60 km per hour.

Cardboard robot kit "M-Bot

Cardboard robot kit "M-Bot

Katsushika Ward, Tokyo, has signed a memorandum of understanding with TOMY and NTT DoCoMo regarding programming education in elementary schools, etc. The "e-Craft Series embot," a cardboard robot kit developed by NTT DoCoMo and manufactured and sold by TOMY, will be used in classes. It will be introduced to elementary schools and special needs schools in the ward after 2020, when programming education in elementary schools will become compulsory. The ward has allocated 14 million yen for the purchase of the kit and other expenses in the third supplementary budget plan for fiscal 2007. The classes using the kit are for 5th graders. During the fiscal year 2007, lessons for teachers and preliminary lessons will be held at some elementary schools. The results of the classes will be used as feedback for future product development. The ward plans to collaborate with the two companies in fields other than programming education. Photo taken on November 21, 2019, credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images

Takara Belmont Osaka Head Office

Takara Belmont Osaka Head Office

Keywords: Takara Belmondo, hairdressing equipment, beauty equipment, nails, dental, medical, company, signage, logo, logo mark = September 25, 2019, Headquarters in Higashi-Shinsaibashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka, Japan, Credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images

Takara Belmont Osaka Head Office

Takara Belmont Osaka Head Office

Keywords: Takara Belmondo, hairdressing equipment, beauty equipment, nails, dental, medical, company, signage, logo, logo mark = September 25, 2019, Headquarters in Higashi-Shinsaibashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka, Japan, Credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images

Takara Belmont Osaka Head Office

Takara Belmont Osaka Head Office

Keywords: Takara Belmondo, hairdressing equipment, beauty equipment, nails, dental, medical, company, signage, logo, logo mark = September 25, 2019, Headquarters in Higashi-Shinsaibashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka, Japan, Credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images

Mazda to buy Mine racing circuit from Takara for car tests

Mazda to buy Mine racing circuit from Takara for car tests

YAMAGUCHI, Japan - Keiichi Wakabayashi, head of Mazda Motor Corp.'s public relations and planning division, speaks at a news conference in Yamaguchi about the company's decision to buy a motor racing circuit owned by toymaker Takara Co. (Kyodo)

Cuba's Bermoy wins women's 48kg at Kano judo tournament

Cuba's Bermoy wins women's 48kg at Kano judo tournament

TOKYO, Japan - Cuba's Yanet Bermoy (L) grapples with Japan's Mayumi Takara in the final of the women's 48-kilogram contest at the Kano Cup international judo tournament at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium on Dec. 9. Bermoy won the gold. (Kyodo)

Single-seated electric car 'Qi' to be rented in Kyoto

Single-seated electric car 'Qi' to be rented in Kyoto

KYOTO, Japan - An apprentice geisha sits in a single-seat ''Qi'' electric car in the Japanese city of Kyoto on June 30. Toy maker Takara Co. and Nippon Rent-A-Car Service Inc. will begin renting the ''Qi'' in Kyoto on July 1. (Kyodo)

Toymakers Takara, Tomy to merge next March

Toymakers Takara, Tomy to merge next March

TOKYO, Japan - (From R to L) Takara Co. Chairman Keita Sato, Tomy Co. President Kantaro Tomiyama and Index Corp. Chairman Masami Ochiai pose for photos during a news conference in Tokyo on May 13. Takara, Japan's No. 2 toymaker, and Tomy, the third largest, agreed to merge March 1 next year. Index Corp. is Takara's largest shareholder. (Kyodo)

Takara holds seminar for Santa Claus wannabes

Takara holds seminar for Santa Claus wannabes

TOKYO, Japan - Toy maker Takara Co. held a seminar in Tokyo on Dec. 8 featuring mambo musician Paradise Yamamoto, the only Japanese ''official'' Santa Claus, to teach aspiring Santas the tricks of the trade. Yamamoto, authorized by the dean of Greenland International Santa Clause Association, lectured to about 40 Japanese people, mainly fathers, dressed in Santa Claus costumes on such topics as how to give presents to children and say ''Ho! Ho! Ho!'' in an appropriately Santa-like voice. (Kyodo)

Japanese liquor with Hanshin Tigers logo

Japanese liquor with Hanshin Tigers logo

KYOTO, Japan - Takara Shuzo sells Japanese liquor with the Hanshin Tigers logo printed on the label. The picture was taken on June 5. (Kyodo)

Time magazine picks dog translator best invention

Time magazine picks dog translator best invention

Time magazine has picked Bowlingual, a device of Japanese toy maker Takara Co. used to ''translate'' dog barks, one of the best inventions of 2002, on Nov, 11,. The 14,800 yen device attached to a dog's collar analyzes its barks and displays its feelings, such as happiness and sadness, on a display. The toy maker put it on sale in September.

Time magazine picks dog translator best invention

Time magazine picks dog translator best invention

Time magazine has picked Bowlingual, a device of Japanese toy maker Takara Co. used to ''translate'' dog barks, one of the best inventions of 2002, on Nov, 11,. The 14,800 yen device attached to a dog's collar analyzes its barks and displays its feelings, such as happiness and sadness, on a display. The toy maker put it on sale in September.

Takara to launch Idol Licca-chan series

Takara to launch Idol Licca-chan series

TOKYO, Japan - Toy maker Takara Co. said feb. 28 it will launch a new series of its Licca-chan dolls (in handout photo) in April and promote sales through the real-life Licca, a recently formed singing group of three teenage girls. The Idol Licca-chan series, to hit the market April 18, consists of a package of three different dolls. The dolls will have a suggested retail price of 8,360 yen for all three.

(2)Takara to release ''Q-Car'' electric vehicles

(2)Takara to release ''Q-Car'' electric vehicles

TOKYO, Japan - Photo released by Jan. 22 shows the ''Q-Car Modern Times'' which toy maker Takara Co. plans to market in September. The one-seat car can be recharged by being plugged into a conventional household electrical socket. Takara said the car can travel 80 kilometers after being charged for 8 hours, and can reach speeds of up to 60 km per hour.

(1)Takara to release ''Q-Car'' electric vehicles

(1)Takara to release ''Q-Car'' electric vehicles

TOKYO, Japan - A woman passes by a sedan in a Tokyo hotel parking area Jan. 22 in a prototype ''Q-Car 2010'' electric vehicle which toy maker Takara Co. plans to market in September. Takara said the one-seat car can travel 80 kilometers after being charged for 8 hours, and can reach speeds of up to 60 km per hour.

Japan upper house election

Japan upper house election

Tetsumi Takara (R), a candidate without party affiliation, celebrates in Naha, Okinawa Prefecture, after being assured of victory in the House of Councillors election on July 21, 2019. On the left is Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki, an opponent of the Liberal Democratic Party-led government's push to realize the relocation of a U.S. base within the prefecture. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Japan upper house election

Japan upper house election

Tetsumi Takara (C), a candidate without party affiliation, celebrates in Naha, Okinawa Prefecture, after being assured of victory in the House of Councillors election on July 21, 2019. On the left is Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki, an opponent of the Liberal Democratic Party-led government's push to realize the relocation of a U.S. base within the prefecture. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Founder of Japanese toymaker dies

Founder of Japanese toymaker dies

Yasuta Sato, founder of major Japanese toymaker Takara Co. (now Tomy Co.), seen in this file photo taken in March 2010, died of natural causes on Feb. 26, 2019, aged 94. Takara is known for its Licca-chan dress-up dolls. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Founder of Japanese toymaker dies

Founder of Japanese toymaker dies

Yasuta Sato, founder of major Japanese toymaker Takara Co. (now Tomy Co.), seen in this file photo taken in March 2010, died of natural causes on Feb. 26, 2019, aged 94. Takara is known for its Licca-chan dress-up dolls. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Takara to put 'Meow-Lingual' on sale in November

Takara to put 'Meow-Lingual' on sale in November

TOKYO, Japan - Toy maker Takara Co. said on July 17 it will put on sale a cat-to-human-language translation device, dubbed ''Meow-Lingual'' (photo), in November. According to Takara, the device can analyze cats' feelings from their voiceprints and display them on the liquid crystal screen in more than 200 words. Takara developed and began selling a dog-to-human-language translation device ''Bow-Lingual'' last year. (Kyodo)

Takara faces patent suit over hit home karaoke system

Takara faces patent suit over hit home karaoke system

TOKYO, Japan - File photo shows the e.kara portable home karaoke system marketed by Takara Co. Patent control company Ricos Co. said July 11 it filed a 900 million yen damages suit against Takara, claiming the toy maker violates one of its patents. (Kyodo)

Takara releases Tigers version of electric vehicle Qi

Takara releases Tigers version of electric vehicle Qi

TOKYO, Japan - Toy maker Takara Co. has begun selling 77 units of its single-seat electric vehicle Qi with a design inspired by the Hanshin Tigers professional baseball team. Available for 1.45 million yen, the units come in yellow and black and carry the Tigers logo on their front and side panels. Takara decided to release 77 specially designed units in the Qi (pronounced ''cue-no'') series because that is the number on Tigers manager Senichi Hoshino's jersey. (Kyodo)

'Bow-Lingual' awarded 'Ig Nobel' peace prize

'Bow-Lingual' awarded 'Ig Nobel' peace prize

BOSTON, United States - Masahiko Kajita of Japanese toy maker Takara Co. holds up a dog-to-human-language translation device, dubbed ''Bow-Lingual,'' at a ceremony of the 12th annual ''Ig Nobel Prizes,'' a parody of the Nobel prizes, at Harvard University in Boston on Oct. 3. Takara's device was given the award for ''promoting peace and harmony between the species.'' (Kyodo)

Takara to release single-seat electric car in Nov.

Takara to release single-seat electric car in Nov.

TOKYO, Japan - Toy maker Takara Co. said July 9 it will release the first model in its Q-Car series of single-seat electric vehicles in November. The new car, called Qi and pronounced ''q-no,'' can be charged by plugging it into a conventional household electric socket. It can travel 80 kilometers after being charged for eight hours and can reach speeds of up to 50 km per hour. Takara will put 99 units on the market for 1.29 million yen each.