Roots & History

Tokibo's Roots

Dr. Yasuyuki Sata, founder of Tokibo, noticed a copy of Foregger's catalogue sent from the U.S.A. in 1951. Foregger was one of two leading American manufacturers of anesthesia equipment in 1950s.
He recognized that Anesthesiology is making remarkable progress in the U.S. while Japan is lagging far behind.

"Importing medical equipment from the U.S. will definitely benefit people in Japan. Although I am a medical doctor, I believe that I can help more patients through the importation of high-quality medical equipment, than by treating them on a man to man basis."
(extracted from a book "Yasuyuki Sata")

Yasuyuki Sata, M,D., The founder

Yasuyuki Sata was born on June 16, 1914. He graduated from Kyusyu Medical School (current Kurume University School of Medicine) in 1938. Soon after graduation, he was called to the Army as a medical officer and in 1943, he was sent to the battle in the Southern Asia. The War ended when he was at Car Nicobar Island in the Indian Ocean. After spending six months in a concentration on Rempang Island Singapore, he returned to Japan in 1946.
After his discharge from the Army, he was engaged in research work at Imamura's Laboratory of Osaka University Medical School and obtained his doctorate in medicine in 1949. The theme of his dissertation involved tuberculosis. At this time, his father, Aihiko Sata, M.D.,ex-president of Osaka Medical School (current Osaka University Medical School), entrusted him with the business of Osaka Kessei Yakuhin, a producer of Vaccine. However, he had to close the business in 1951 because of postwar difficulties. In the same year, Dr. Sata was asked to become a general manager of a newly established medicine department of Tamurakoma Co. which became the exclusive agent of U.S. based medical company, E.R. Squibb & Sons,Inc. Tamurakoma was managed by a brother of one of his friends.
In 1955, Dr. Sata established Tokyo Kikai Boeki Kabushiki Kaisha in the Akamon Building in Tamuracho, Minato-ku with a capital of 10,000,000yen. In 1970, the company name was changed to Tokibo Co., Ltd. and in 1972, the head office building was completed at Higashiazabu, Minato-ku. In the same year, Dr. Sata's effort in organizing the Kidney Foundation was realized and he became its auditor. With the expansion of Tokibo's business, branch offices were established throughout Japan. The growth led to the development of overseas operations. Beginning with the establishment of the affiliated company in California; the Tokibo group of companies has grown to include a network of offices around the world.
All of those who loved and respected Dr.Sata suffered a great loss when he passed away on February 4, 1993 at the age of 79. Dr.Sata dedicated his life to "the improvement of quality of health care in the future." His fundamental principle in guiding the staff of Tokibo was "faithfulness". He lived and taught the importance of cultivating virtue of human beings. This spirit continues to be one of the mottoes of Tokibo.

Dr. Aihiko Sata, father of the founder of TOKIBO, Dr. Yasuyuki Sata,.
Married to Shizuko, daughter of Dr. Ikujiro Sakurai, known as "The Father Of Japanese Obstetrics and Gynecology", founder of Japan's first Midwife Hospital and School for OB/GYN; founder and Head of the Association of Japanese Obstetricians and Gynecologists in 1887.

The statue of Dr. Aihiko Sata at Osaka University, School of Medicine.