- Zenrin
Zenrin Co. Ltd. (株式会社ゼンリン) (tyo|9474) is a Japanese
map publisher. Founded in1948 , the company is known as a maker of residential maps and software used in personal computers and automotive navigation systems. It is a leading Japanese company in the production of mapping software.Head Office
Zenrin's head office is in the Zenrin-Asahi Building at 1-1-1, Muromachi, Kokura Kita Ward,
Kitakyushu . The building stands on the spot where notedEdo period mapmaker Inō Tadataka began his mapping ofKyūshū , in the midst of a modern shopping and cultural center calledRiverwalk Kitakyushu . The company also has a development center (Techno Center) at Nakabaru Shinmachi 3-1, Tobata Ward, Kitakyushu.President
Shinobu Osako (大迫忍; 1945-2005) was president from 1980 until his 2001 retirement. Inheriting the company from his father, he built it into a major company in mapping and vehicle-mounted navigation software. He was also the first president of theStarFlyer airline.Map museum
A map museum is located on the on 14th floor of the company’s home office building. It is open 10:00-17:00 weekdays, closed weekends and Japanese national holidays. Admission is ¥100.
External links
* [http://www.zenrin.co.jp/english/ Zenrin website (English)]
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