Mass Production of Color TVs
On September 10, 1960, NHK and four commercial stations began color television broadcasts in Tokyo and Osaka, marking the dawn of color TV in Japan. The first program in color was a popular cartoon. Color broadcasts at that time lasted for about an hour a day.
Sharp was quick to begin mass production of color TVs to meet the demands of the new age. In addition, the company was the first in the industry to bring kerosene heaters to consumers.
Completion of Yamato-Koriyama Plant in Nara
In 1960, Sharp completed construction of the Yamato-Koriyama Plant -- a new base for production of TV and radio parts -- in Yamato-Koriyama City, Nara Prefecture. Later, this same plant would become internationally known as the main production base of Sharp's electronic calculators.
Commencement of Office Automation
The company began research for the first time on computers, semiconductors, ultra-short wave technology and microwave ovens. To increase administrative efficiency and streamline routine office tasks, Sharp introduced large computers in its daily office operations -- the first in the industry to do so.
Central Research Laboratories Established
In 1961, the Central Research Laboratories were established at the Head Office to support new product development in the fields of industrial and electronics-based equipment for the age to come. Following upon successes in the fields of TVs and home appliances, management adopted a strategy of creating and fostering new core businesses.
Full-scale research began immediately on technologies relating to electronic calculators, solar cells, electronic medical equipment, optical semiconductors, computers and others. Resulting breakthroughs in each of these fields won worldwide recognition.
In the same year, the after-sales service network was also made more comprehensive, comprising a total of 70 bases nationwide.