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{{Short description|Japanese optics company, founded 1919}}
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{{Update |events since 2012|date=April 2014}}
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{{Infobox company
| name = Olympus Corporation
| native_name = オリンパス株式会社
| romanized_name = Orinpasu Kabushiki-kaisha
| former_name = Takachiho Seisakusho (1919-1942), Takachiho Optical Industries (1942-1949), Olympus Optical Co., Ltd (1949-2003), Olympus Corporation (2003-)
| type = [[Public company|Public]]
| traded_as = {{Tyo|7733}}
| logo = Olympus Corporation logo.svg
| logo_caption = Logo since 2000
| founded = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1919|10|12}} (as Takachiho Seisakusho)<br>[[Shinjuku]], Tokyo, Japan
| founder = Takeshi Yamashita<ref name='MtOlymp'>{{cite web|url = http://www.olympus-global.com/en/corc/history/about/ |title= Olympus History: Origin of Our Name |access-date=16 January 2007 }}</ref>
| location = [[Hachioji, Tokyo]], Japan
| area_served = Worldwide
| key_people = Bob White ([[President (corporate title)|president]] & [[Chief executive officer|CEO]])
| num_employees = 31,557 (31 March 2022)<ref name=outline>{{Citation | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111028002136/http://www.olympus-global.com/en/corc/profile/outline/ | title = Outline | publisher = Olympus | url = http://www.olympus-global.com/en/corc/profile/outline/ | archive-date = 28 October 2011 | access-date = 16 November 2011 | url-status = dead | df = dmy-all }}</ref>
| revenue = {{profit}} ¥847,105&nbsp;million (y/e March 2011)<ref name = outline />
| industry = [[Electronics]]
| owners = {{Unbulleted list|[[Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group]]<ref name=4-traders>{{Cite web|url=https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/OLYMPUS-CORPORATION-6491236/company/|title=OLYMPUS CORPORATION : Shareholders Board Members Managers and Company Profile &#124; JP3201200007 &#124; MarketScreener|website=www.marketscreener.com}}</ref> {{Small|(4.60%)}}|[[Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group]]<ref name=4-traders/> {{Small|(2.44%)}}}}
| products = {{ubl|Precision machinery and instruments|Cameras|[[Voice recorder]]s|[[Endoscope]]s and other [[medical device]]s|[[Skin care|Face cream]]|Plastic [[tableware]]}}
| homepage = {{URL|https://www.olympus-global.com/|olympus-global.com}}
}}{{Nihongo foot|'''Olympus Corporation'''|オリンパス株式会社|Orinpasu [[Kabushiki-gaisha]]|lead=yes}} is a Japanese manufacturer of [[optics]] and [[reprography]] products, headquartered in [[Hachioji]], Tokyo. Olympus was founded on October 12, 1919 as '''Takachiho Seisakusho''' by Takeshi Yamashita, initially specializing in [[microscope]]s and [[thermometer]]s, and later in [[imaging]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Founding |url=http://www.olympus-global.com/en/corc/history/found/ |access-date=16 January 2007 |work=History of Olympus |publisher=Olympus}}</ref> In 1921, the name '''Olympus''' was registered as a trademark. In 1942, the company was renamed '''Takachiho Optical Industries''', and in 1949 it was renamed '''Olympus Optical Co., Ltd'''. In 2003, the company adopted its current name, '''Olympus Corporation'''.

Olympus holds roughly a 70 percent share of the global [[endoscope]] market, estimated to be worth approximately US$2.5&nbsp;billion. As of 2025, endoscopes and related surgical technologies are now Olympus's exclusive product line. It was formerly also a maker of [[camera]]s, [[camera lens]]es and [[dictaphone]]s, until it divested this part to [[OM Digital Solutions]] in 2020. It divested from its microscopy and scientific imaging division in 2023, which spun off as [[Evident Corporation]].{{Citation needed|date=March 2025}}

In 2011, [[Olympus scandal|Olympus attracted worldwide media scrutiny]] when it fired its CEO [[Michael Christopher Woodford]] for [[whistleblowing]], and the matter [[snowball effect|snowballed]] into a [[corporate corruption]] investigation<ref name="Source Name 1" /> with multiple arrests.<ref name="reutersarrests" /> In 2016, it paid {{US$|646|link=yes}}{{nbsp}}million (equivalent to ${{Inflation|US-GDP|646|2016|r=0}}{{nbsp}}million in {{Inflation/year|US-GDP}}) in fines associated with its illegal, long running, [[Kickback (bribery)|kickback]] scheme.<ref name="CNNmoney" />

==Products==
===Cameras and audio===
In 1936, Olympus introduced its first camera, the Semi-Olympus I, fitted with the first [[Zuiko]]-branded lens.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.olympus-global.com/technology/museum/camera/products/camera/semi-oll/?page=technology_museum |title=Semi-Olympus I |website=Olympus Global|access-date= 24 June 2020}}</ref> The [[Olympus Chrome Six]] was a series of folding cameras made by Takachiho, and later Olympus, from 1948 to 1956, for 6×4.5&nbsp;cm or 6×6&nbsp;cm exposures on 120 film.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Olympus Chrome Six – Camera-wiki.org – The free camera encyclopedia|url=http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Olympus_Chrome_Six|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210605011644/http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Olympus_Chrome_Six|archive-date=2021-06-05|access-date=2021-12-26|website=camera-wiki.org}}</ref>

The first innovative camera series from Olympus was the [[Olympus Pen|Pen]], launched in 1959.<ref>{{Cite book|title=McKeown's price guide to antique and classic cameras|date=2004|publisher=Centennial Photo Service|others=James M. McKeown, Joan C. McKeown|isbn=0-931838-40-1|edition=12th ed., 2005-06|location=Grantsburg, Wis.|pages=749|oclc=56999790}}</ref> It used a [[Half-frame camera|half-frame format]], taking 72 18×24&nbsp;mm photographs on a standard 36-exposure 35mm [[film cassette]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.olympus-global.com/technology/museum/camera/products/pen/pen/?page=technology_museum |title=Olympus Pen |website=Olympus Global|access-date= 24 June 2020}}</ref> which made Pen cameras compact and portable for their time.{{Citation needed|date=September 2019}}

[[File:Olympus Pen FT 2015.jpg|thumb|Olympus Pen FT and 38mm f1.8 Zuiko lens]]
[[File:OMLenses.jpg|thumb|Olympus OM Zuiko lenses]]

The Pen system design team, led by [[Yoshihisa Maitani]], later created the [[Olympus OM system|OM system]], a full-frame professional 35mm SLR system designed to compete with [[Nikon]] and [[Canon Inc.|Canon's]] bestsellers. The OM system introduced a new trend towards more compact cameras and lenses, being much smaller than its competitors and presenting innovative design features such as off-the-film (OTF) metering and OTF flash automation.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.olympus-global.com/technology/museum/camera/products/om/om-2/?page=technology_museum |title=35mm SLR OM-2 |website=Olympus Global|access-date=18 January 2025}}</ref> Eventually, the system included 14 different bodies, approximately 60 [[Zuiko]]-branded lenses, and numerous camera accessories.{{Citation needed|reason=No source|date=September 2019}}

[[File:Quick Flash AFL.jpg|thumb|right|Olympus Quick Flash camera]]

In 1983, Olympus, along with Canon, branded a range of video recording equipment manufactured by [[JVC]],{{Citation needed|date=February 2007}} and called it "Olympus Video Photography", even employing renowned photographer Terance Donovan to promote the range.{{Citation needed|date=February 2007}} A second version of the system was available the year after, but this was Olympus's last foray into the world of consumer video equipment until digital cameras became popular.{{Citation needed|date=February 2007}}

Tsuyoshi Kikukawa, who was later to become president of Olympus, foresaw the demand for the digital SLR, and is credited with the company's strategy in digital photography. He fought for commitment by Olympus to enter the market in high-resolution photographic products. As a result of his efforts, Olympus released an 810,000-pixel digital camera for the mass market in 1996, when the resolution of rivals' offerings was less than half.<ref name=nikkei20111031>[https://web.archive.org/web/20111104052113/http://business.nikkeibp.co.jp/article/eng/20111031/223514/ "Dismissed CEO Turns Focus on Troubles at Olympus"], ''Nikkei Business''. 31 October 2011. Archived from [http://business.nikkeibp.co.jp/article/eng/20111031/223514/ the original] on 25 November 2011. Retrieved 25 November 2011.</ref> The next year, Olympus hit the market with a 1.41&nbsp;million pixel camera. By 2001, the company's annual turnover from digital photography was in excess of ¥100&nbsp;billion.<ref name=nikkei20111031/> Olympus manufactures compact [[digital cameras]] and is the designer of the [[Four Thirds system]] standard for [[digital single-lens reflex camera]]s. Olympus's Four Thirds system flagship DSLR camera was the [[Olympus E-5|E-5]], released in 2010. Olympus is also the largest manufacturer of Four Thirds lenses, under the Zuiko Digital brand. After the introduction of the [[Micro Four Thirds system]], and the general market growth of the [[Mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera|Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Cameras]], the regular Four Thirds system became neglected. Then, in 2017, after three years without a new lens, and seven years without a new body, Olympus officially discontinued the Four Thirds system<ref>{{Cite web|title=In memoriam: Olympus brings down the curtain on the legacy Four Thirds system|url=https://www.dpreview.com/articles/9877975278/olympus-brings-down-the-curtain-on-the-four-thirds-system|access-date=2020-08-20|website=DPReview}}</ref>
[[File:Olympus OM-D E-M1- 20131118.jpg|alt=|thumb|[[Olympus OM-D E-M1]] with an Olympus [[M.Zuiko]] Pro 12-40mm f2.8 lens]]
Olympus and [[Panasonic]] started a new development together, called the [[Micro Four Thirds system]]. It is an [[Lens mount|interchangeable lens]] system, with the Four Thirds sensor size, and no mirrors ([[Mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera|Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera]]). The lack of mirrors allowed the camera body to be a lot smaller than that of a [[Digital single-lens reflex camera|DSLR]], while maintaining its image quality and the interchangeability of the lenses. The first product in the [[Micro Four Thirds system]] was the [[Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1]], released in 2008. The first Olympus-branded [[Micro Four Thirds system|MFT]] camera was the [[Olympus PEN E-P1]]. Because it was very expensive, they made a cheaper option, called the [[Olympus PEN E-PL1|Olympus PEN Lite E-PL1]]. The market growth of the [[Mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera|MILC]] cameras made Olympus introduce a new series in their lineup, which was the modern, [[Digital camera|digital]] implementation of the legendary [[Olympus OM system|OM series]], the [[Olympus OM-D series|OM-D]]. It maintained the [[Micro Four Thirds system]], but added a built-in [[electronic viewfinder]], a more ergonomic button layout packaged in a retro style chassis. The first model in this family was the [[Olympus OM-D E-M5|E-M5]], released in 2012. Since then, Olympus has developed their two lines ([[Olympus Pen|PEN]] and [[Olympus OM-D series|OM-D]]) and the [[Micro Four Thirds system]], still alongside [[Panasonic]]. The latest Olympus camera is the [[Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV]] as of 20 August 2020.

[[File:Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm f 2.8 Macro Lens.jpg|thumb|upright|Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm f/2.8 Macro Lens]]

At one time, Olympus cameras used only the proprietary xD-Picture Card for storage media. This storage solution is less popular than more common formats, and recent cameras can use [[Secure Digital|SD]] and [[CompactFlash]] cards. The most recent development is Olympus's focus on the [[Micro Four Thirds system]].{{Citation needed|reason=No source|date=September 2019}} Olympus has also been using special proprietary USB cables, such as the CB-USB8, instead of following standards.

Olympus first introduced the [[Microcassette]].  The Olympus Pearlcorder L400, released in the 1980s, was the smallest and lightest microcassette [[voice recorder]] ever offered for sale, 2.9 (L) × 0.8 (H) × 2.0 in. (W) / 73 (L) × 20 (H) × 52 (W) {{convert|3.2|oz|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pimall.com/nais/pivintage/pearlcorder.html |title=Ultra Compact Pearlcorder L400 Micro, 1980s |access-date=3 March 2007 |last=Thomas |first=Ralph D. |year=2006 |publisher=Thomas Investigative Publications, Inc}}</ref>

In 2012, the company announced that Sony and Fujifilm had offered forming a capital alliance and the company would focus on [[Mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera]]s (MILC).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thenewcamera.com/?p=9960 |title=Olympus plans to cut its camera line-up |access-date=6 May 2012}}</ref>

In 2020, Olympus announced that the camera department would be sold to [[Japan Industrial Partners]] at the end of the year.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.olympus-global.com/ir/data/announcement/2020/contents/ir00013.pdf |title=Signing of Memorandum of Understanding for Divestiture of Imaging Business |access-date=25 June 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=24 June 2020|title=Olympus quits camera business after 84 years|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-53165293|access-date=2020-09-16}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|first=Matthew|last=Humphries|date=24 June 2020|title=After 84 Years, Olympus Is Exiting the Camera Business|url=https://uk.pcmag.com/digital-cameras/127523/after-84-years-olympus-is-exiting-the-camera-business|access-date=2020-09-16|website=PCMag UK|language=en-gb}}</ref> In October 2020, Olympus transferred its Imaging division to the newly established [[OM Digital Solutions]]. On 1 January 2021, 95% of the shares in OM Digital Solutions were transferred to OJ Holdings, Ltd, a specially established subsidiary of Japan Industrial Partners. Olympus retained ownership of the remaining 5%.<ref name="Pressemitteilung2021">{{cite web|title=Olympus Completes Transfer of Imaging Business|publisher=Olympus|url=https://www.olympus.de/company/de/news/pressemitteilungen/2021-01-04t12-14-39/press-release-detail-page_29888.html|date=4 January 2021|language=en}}</ref>

===Medical and surgical===
Olympus manufactures endoscopic, ultrasound, electrocautery, endotherapy, and cleaning and disinfection equipment.  The first flexible endoscope in the world was co-developed and manufactured by Olympus in Tokyo.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.olympus-global.com/en/corc/history/story/endo/gastro/index.html |title=OLYMPUS &#124; Olympus History: VOL. 2 Birth of Gastrocameras |publisher=Olympus-global.com |access-date=8 November 2011}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=December 2021}} In 1987, KeyMed Medical & Industrial Equipment, a British manufacturer was purchased.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.olympus.co.uk/company/en/careers/our-impact-in-the-uk-and-ireland/|title=Our impact in the UK and Ireland|website=Olympus Corporation|access-date=22 February 2023}}</ref> With a comprehensive product range, Olympus accounts for a large share of the world market in gastrointestinal endoscopes. It has roughly 70% share of the global market whose estimated valued at US$2.5&nbsp;billion.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20111119035847/http://medtechinsider.com/archives/25725 "Japanese Doctors Flustered and Angry Following Olympus Scandal"]. 16 November 2011. Medtech Insider. Archived from [http://medtechinsider.com/archives/25725 the original] on 28 November 2011. Retrieved 28 November 2011</ref> On 28 September 2012, Olympus and [[Sony]] announced that the two companies will establish a joint venture—Sony Olympus Medical Solutions Inc—to develop new surgical endoscopes with [[4K resolution]] (or higher) and 3D capability.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.olympus-global.com/en/corc/ir/tes/pdf/nr120928_3.pdf|title=OLYMPUS – Investor Relations: Corporate Disclosure: 2014}}</ref> On 16 September 2015, Sony Olympus Medical Solutions Inc announced that their jointly developed 4K surgical endoscopy system would be commercialized and made available for purchase in early October 2015, and would be sold by Olympus under the brand name "VISERA 4K UHD".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Announcing the Upcoming Release of a 4K Surgical Endoscopy System |url=http://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/News/Press/201509/15-0916E/index.html |access-date=2023-10-02 |website=Sony Group Portal - Sony Global Headquarters |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=OLYMPUS {{!}} News Release: Launch of Ultra-HD Surgical Endoscopy System Incorporating 4K Technology |url=https://www.olympus-global.com/en/news/2015b/nr1509164klaunche.html#:~:text=Olympus%20Corporation%20is%20pleased%20to,between%20Olympus%20and%20Sony%20Corporation. |access-date=2023-10-02 |website=www.olympus-global.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Sony, Olympus unveil 4K endoscopy system |url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Sony-Olympus-unveil-4K-endoscopy-system |access-date=2023-10-02 |website=Nikkei Asia |language=en-GB}}</ref>

Olympus has acquired the Israeli medical device company Medi-Tate, a move aimed at enhancing its portfolio in the treatment of [[Benign prostatic hyperplasia|benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).]] The acquisition, finalized in February 2021, strengthens Olympus' position in the urological devices market.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Olympus acquires Israeli medical device firm Medi-Tate |date=28 May 2021 |url=https://www.medicaldevice-network.com/news/olympus-acquires-medi-tate/?cf-view }}</ref>

Medi-Tate specializes in the research, development, manufacturing, and sale of devices designed for minimally invasive treatment of BPH. Its flagship product, the iTind, is a temporarily implanted nitinol device that alleviates lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) associated with BPH. The iTind procedure can be performed by a urologist in various settings, including outpatient hospital facilities, ambulatory surgery centers, or a doctor's office. The device works by gradually expanding and applying gentle pressure at three specific points, reshaping the prostatic urethra and the bladder neck to provide symptom relief.

On 14 September 2022, Sony Olympus Medical Solutions Inc announced that they developed a new model of their 4K surgical endoscopy system, which also allows for Infared imaging and Narrow Band imaging.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Sony, Olympus, and Sony Olympus Medical Solutions Collaborated in the Development of a Surgical Endoscopy System that Supports 4K, 3D and Infrared (IR) Imaging Features |url=https://www.sony-olympus-medical.com/somed/en/news/20220914-001.html |access-date=2023-12-17 |website=www.sony-olympus-medical.com}}</ref> This new model was made available for purchase in September 2022 by Olympus in Europe, Middle East, Africa, and parts of Asia, Oceania and Japan under the name "VISERA ELITE III".<ref name=":1" /> On 15 January 2024, [[Canon Medical Systems Corporation]] and Olympus Corporation announced that they reached an agreement to collaborate on a jointly developed Endoscopic Ultrasound System (EUS) that takes advantage of both companies’ experience in endoscopy and sonography.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Canon Medical Systems and Olympus team up for endoscopic ultrasound |url=https://healthcare-in-europe.com/en/news/canon-medical-olympus-alliance-endoscopic-ultrasound.html |access-date=2024-04-18 |website=healthcare-in-europe.com |language=en}}</ref>

===Scientific===
Since the beginning, the company has been a manufacturer of microscopes and optics for specialised needs, such as medical use. The first microscope manufactured at Olympus was called the Asahi.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.olympus-global.com/en/corc/history/micro/asahi.cfm |title=Olympus History: The Asahi Microscope |access-date=21 February 2007 |publisher= Olympus Corporation |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061227010326/http://www.olympus-global.com/en/corc/history/micro/asahi.cfm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 27 December 2006}}</ref> Currently, Olympus is a worldwide renowned manufacturer of microscopes. Olympus offers a complete range of microscopes, which covers applications from education and routine studies up to state of the art research imaging systems, both in life science and materials science.<ref name="Microscopes {{!}} Olympus LS">{{Cite web|title=Microscopes {{!}} Olympus LS|url=https://www.olympus-lifescience.com/en/microscopes/|access-date=2021-06-20|website=www.olympus-lifescience.com}}</ref>

Olympus Scientific Solutions Americas Corporation is a [[Waltham, Massachusetts]]-based manufacturer, and is a subsidiary of Olympus Corporation. One of its companies, for example, is Olympus Imaging and Measuring Systems, specializing in imaging instruments for testing and measurement during industrial inspections.<ref>{{cite web |title=Group Companies (Americas) : Worldwide Office Locations : OLYMPUS |url=https://www.olympus-global.com/company/base/grouplist/america.html?page=company |website=www.olympus-global.com |access-date=January 25, 2023 |date=January 7, 2021}}</ref> In April 2022, Olympus Scientific rebranded itself as [[Evident Corporation]], and at first was a wholly owned subsidiary of Olympus corporation.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-04 |title=OLYMPUS Makes it EVIDENT |url=https://evidentscientific.com/en/news/olympus-makes-it-evident |access-date=2025-06-21 |website=Evident Scientific}}</ref> However, a year later, Evident was acquired by [[Bain Capital]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-03 |title=Evident Acquired by Bain Capital: Partnership to Accelerate Future Growth and Innovation |url=https://evidentscientific.com/en/news/evident-baincapital |access-date=2025-06-21 |website=Evident Scientific}}</ref>

===Industrial===
Olympus manufactures and sells industrial scanners, [[Flaw detection|flaw detectors]], probes and transducers, thickness gages, digital cameras, [[image analysis]] software, industrial videoscopes, [[fiberscope]]s, light sources, [[X-ray fluorescence|XRF]] and XRD analyzers, and high-speed video cameras.<ref name="Microscopes {{!}} Olympus LS"/>

==Name and logo==
* 1919: The company was founded as {{nihongo|Takachiho Seisakusho|高千穂製作所}}.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Founding of Olympus : Milestones : OLYMPUS|url=https://www.olympus-global.com/company/milestones/founding.html?page=company#:~:text=Olympus%20was%20founded%20on%20October,achieving%20domestic%20production%20of%20microscopes|access-date=2021-06-20|website=olympus-global.com}}</ref> In [[Japanese mythology]], [[List of Japanese deities|deities]] live on [[Takamagahara]], the peak of Mt. Takachiho.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Founding of Olympus : Milestones : OLYMPUS|url=https://www.olympus-global.com/company/milestones/founding.html?page=company|access-date=2021-06-20|website=olympus-global.com}}</ref> The first corporate logo was TOKIWA, derived from Tokiwa Shokai, the company that the founder, Takeshi Yamashita, had worked for.<ref name="olympus-global.com">{{Cite web|title=The Olympus Logo History : Milestones : OLYMPUS|url=https://www.olympus-global.com/company/milestones/logo.html?page=company|access-date=2021-06-20|website=olympus-global.com}}</ref> Tokiwa Shokai held an equity stake in Takachiho Seisakusho and was responsible for marketing Takachiho products. The logo reads "TOKIWA TOKYO". The "G" and "M" marks above are believed to be the initials of Goro Matsukata, the president of Tokiwa Shokai.<ref name="olympus-global.com"/>
* 1921: The Olympus brand was introduced in February 1921. This logo was used for microscopes and other products. Brochures and newspaper ads for cameras also used this logo. The OLYMPUS TOKYO logo is still in use today. There was a period in which OIC was used instead of TOKYO in the logo. OIC stood for Optical Industrial Company, which was a translation of Olympus's Japanese corporate name at that time. This logo was used for the GT-I and GT-II endoscopes, among others.<ref name="olympus-global.com"/>
* 1942: The company was renamed to '''Takachiho Optical Co., Ltd.''', when optical products became the mainstay of the company.<ref name=":0" />
* 1949: The name changed to '''Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.''' It was named after [[Mount Olympus]], which like Mt. Takachiho is the home of gods, this time of [[Greek mythology]]. In the words of the company, they chose the name to "reflect its strong aspiration to create high-quality, world-famous products".
* 1970: The new logo was designed to give impressions of quality and sophistication.
* 2001: The yellow line underneath the new logo is called the "Opto-Digital Pattern" and it represents light and boundless possibilities of digital technology. It symbolizes dynamic and innovative nature of Opto-Digital Technology and Olympus Corporation. This logo is called the Communication Symbol of Olympus and it represents Olympus's brand image.<ref name="olympus-global.com"/>
* 2003: Renamed to Olympus Corporation.

==Corporate affairs==
{{Update|inaccurate=yes|section|date=April 2013}}

=== Ownership ===
Shareholding in Olympus is dispersed, and the company's key institutional investors are largely passive.<ref name=cfo20111024p3>Bacani, Cesar (24 October 2011) [http://www.cfoinnovation.com/content/olympus-scandal-when-foreign-ceo-rebels?page=0%2C2&section=features "The Olympus Scandal: When a Foreign CEO Rebels" (pg 3)]. ''CFO Innovation Asia''. Retrieved 24 October 2011</ref> As of 31 March 2011, investors included [[Nippon Life Insurance]] (8.4%), [[Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi]] (4.98%), and [[Sumitomo Mitsui Banking]] (3.13%), and the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (2.55%). Foreign institutions and individuals spoke for 27.71% of Olympus shares.<ref name=cfo20111024p3/><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120402235330/http://www.olympus-global.com/en/corc/ir/annualreport/2011/pdf/07.pdf "Investor information (as of 31 March 2011"]. Olympus Corp. Retrieved 24 October 2011</ref> On 28 September 2012, Olympus and Sony announced that Olympus would receive a 50&nbsp;billion yen capital injection from Sony. On 22 February 2013, Sony became the largest shareholder (11.46%) of Olympus, later cutting that stake in half during one of its own restructurings, only to sell its entire remaining stake in Olympus, totaling 5% of the company, after a request by activist investor [[Daniel S. Loeb]] to do so, in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.marketscreener.com/SONY-CORP-6492482/news/Sony-in-760-million-Olympus-stake-sale-after-investor-Loeb-s-prodding-29128504/|title = Sony in $760 million Olympus stake sale after investor Loeb's prodding &#124; MarketScreener| date=29 August 2019 }}</ref>

=== Governance ===
According to its 2011 Annual Report, Olympus was governed by a 15-person board of directors, with [[Tsuyoshi Kikukawa]] its president and CEO, and Michael C. Woodford as president and chief operating officer. Mr Kikukawa resigned in the following year and was arrested by Tokyo police for alleged criminal offenses during and before his term as president and CEO. The corporation in 2011 had three "outside directors".<ref>[http://www.olympus-global.com/en/corc/ir/annualreport/2011/pdf/08.pdf "Board of Directors, Corporate Auditors and Executive Officers (as of 29 June 2011)"]. Olympus Corp. Retrieved 24 October 2011</ref> It had a four-member 'Board of Auditors' which supervises and audits directors' performance. The company's executive committee consisted of 28 members, responsible for the day-to-day operations.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120402235330/http://www.olympus-global.com/en/corc/ir/annualreport/2011/pdf/07.pdf "Corporate Governance"]. Olympus Corp. Retrieved 24 October 2011</ref>

== Scandals ==
=== 2011 accounting scandal ===
{{main|Olympus scandal}}

In 2011, the company [[Olympus scandal|attracted worldwide media scrutiny]] when it [[Termination of employment|fired]] its newly appointed English chief executive (CEO) [[Michael Christopher Woodford]], a 30-year Olympus veteran, for [[retaliation|probing]] into financial irregularities and unexplained payments totaling hundreds of millions of US dollars. Although the [[corporate board|board]] initially dismissed Woodford's concerns via mass media as "disruptive" and Woodford himself as failing to grasp the [[Intercultural competence|local culture]], the matter quickly [[snowball effect|snowballed]] into a [[corporate corruption]]<ref name="Source Name 1">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-18258542 |title= Former Olympus boss Michael Woodford gets settlement |work=BBC News|date= 30 May 2012 }}</ref> [[List of corporate collapses and scandals|scandal]] concerning alleged [[Tobashi scheme|concealment]] of more than ¥117.7&nbsp;billion ($1.5&nbsp;billion) in [[derivative (finance)|investment losses]], [[kickback (bribery)|kickbacks]], and [[money laundering|covert payments]] to [[Yakuza|criminal organizations]] dating back as far as the 1980s.<ref name=telegraph20111021 /><ref name="sobleFT" /><ref name=telegraph20111023 /><ref name="independent-threats" /> One of the longest-lasting [[accounting scandals]] in Japanese corporate history,<ref name=wsj20111107 /> the incident wiped out over three-quarters of the company's [[company valuation|valuation]]<ref name="guardian1" /> and led much of the board to [[resignation|resign in disgrace]]. Investigations were launched across Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, culminating in the arrests of [[List of people involved in the Olympus scandal|numerous]] corporate [[Director (business)|directors]], senior managers, [[auditor]]s, and bankers<ref name="reutersarrests" /> and raising significant concerns over prevailing standards of [[corporate governance]] and [[corporate transparency|transparency]],<ref name=econ20120216banyan>Banyan (16 February 2012). [https://web.archive.org/web/20120306045047/http://www.economist.com/blogs/banyan/2012/02/olympus-scandal "Arrested development"]. ''The Economist''. Archived from [https://www.economist.com/blogs/banyan/2012/02/olympus-scandal the original] on 6 March 2012.</ref> as well as the state of Japanese [[financial market]]s. Woodford himself, who stated he had received [[death threat]]s for his role in [[whistleblower|exposing]] the [[cover-up]],<ref name="independent-threats">{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/michael-woodford-unbowed-despite-the-death-threats-6280816.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220523/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/michael-woodford-unbowed-despite-the-death-threats-6280816.html |archive-date=23 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Michael Woodford: Unbowed despite the death threats|work=The Independent|date=22 December 2011}}</ref> was reportedly awarded £10&nbsp;million ($16&nbsp;million) in [[damages]] for [[defamation]] and [[wrongful dismissal]].<ref name="guardian1">{{cite news|title=Former Olympus chief gets £10m payoff|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2012/jun/08/former-olympus-chief-payout-michael-woodford|date=8 June 2012|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=14 December 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://japandailypress.com/out-of-court-settlement-for-ex-olympus-ceo-michael-woodford-292883/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120602012211/http://japandailypress.com/out-of-court-settlement-for-ex-olympus-ceo-michael-woodford-292883|url-status=usurped|archive-date=2 June 2012|title=Out-of-court settlement for Ex-Olympus CEO Michael Woodford?|work=The Japan Daily Press|date=30 July 2020}}</ref> In the wake of this turmoil, Olympus announced plans to shed 2,700 jobs (seven percent of its workforce)<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-06-07/olympus-may-unveil-job-cuts-turnaround-plan-at-meeting-today.html | title=Olympus to Cut 2,700 Jobs, Consider Alliances to Boost Capital | date=8 June 2012}}</ref> and shut 40 percent of its 30 manufacturing plants by 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2012/06/08/olympus-whistleblower-wins-millions-settlement.html |title=Olympus whistleblower wins millions in settlement |date=8 June 2012 |access-date=8 June 2012 |archive-date=22 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120822074809/http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2012/06/08/olympus-whistleblower-wins-millions-settlement.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> 

On 1 April 2011, [[Michael Christopher Woodford]], 51, was named president and chief operating officer – the first ever foreigner to hold the position – replacing Kikukawa, who became chairman. Woodford, an Olympus veteran of 30 years, was previously executive managing director of Olympus Medical Systems Europa. Olympus appointed Woodford its CEO six months later, but the board suddenly removed him as chief executive two weeks into the job, while allowing him to retain his board seat.<ref name=cfo20111024p1>Bacani, Cesar (24 October 2011) [http://www.cfoinnovation.com/content/olympus-scandal-when-foreign-ceo-rebels?section=features "The Olympus Scandal: When a Foreign CEO Rebels" (pg 1)]. ''CFO Innovation Asia''. Retrieved 24 October 2011</ref>

Woodford alleged that his removal was linked to several prior acquisitions he questioned, particularly the US$2.2&nbsp;billion deal in 2008 to acquire British medical equipment maker Gyrus Group. [[Thomson Reuters]] reported that US$687&nbsp;million was paid to a middle-man as a [[Contingent fee|success fee]] – a sum equal to 31% of the purchase price, and which ranks as the highest ever M&A fee.<ref name=cfo20111024p1/> According to the ''[[Daily Telegraph]]'', some of the sums paid out relating to the acquisition of a technology company ITX were also under examination.<ref name=telegraph20111023/> Woodford noted that an article in Japanese financial magazine ''Facta'' in July prompted his suspicion of the transactions.<ref name=cfo20111024p3/> Reports also said the company acquired three other Japanese companies outside its core business, and recognised that the assets were worth US$721&nbsp;million less than their acquisition value 12 months previously.<ref name=bw20111027/>

Shareholders expressed concern after Olympus's share price nearly halved in value following the Woodford revelations, and asked for "prompt action".<ref name=telegraph20111021/><ref name=cfo20111024p1/> Following his dismissal, Woodford passed on information to the British [[Serious Fraud Office (United Kingdom)|Serious Fraud Office]], and requested police protection. He said the payments may have been linked to "forces behind" the Olympus board.<ref name=telegraph20111021>Russell, Jonathan (21 Oct 2011). [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/electronics/8840675/Olympus-launches-investigation-into-MandA-fees.html "Olympus launches investigation into M&A fees"]. ''The Daily Telegraph''. Retrieved 24 October 2011.</ref> Japanese newspaper ''[[Sankei Shimbun|Sankei]]'' suggested that a total of US$1.5&nbsp;billion in acquisition-related advisory payments could be linked to the [[yakuza]].<ref name=telegraph20111023>Russell, Jonathan (23 Oct 2011). [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financial-crime/8843231/Huge-Olympus-fees-have-underworld-links.html "Huge Olympus fees have 'underworld links'"]. ''The Daily Telegraph''. Retrieved 24 October 2011.</ref>

The company responded on 19 October that "major differences had arisen between Mr. Woodford and other management regarding the direction and conduct of the company’s business". On the Gyrus acquisition, it also declared the Audit Board's view that "no dishonesty or illegality is found in the transaction itself, nor any breach of obligation to good management or any systematic errors by the directors recognised."<ref name=cfo20111024p1/> On 26 October, the company announced that to assuage shareholders' concerns, Kikukawa resigned as chairman; he was replaced by Shuichi Takayama. Olympus shares rebounded 23 percent.<ref name=bw20111027>Yasu, Mariko (27 October 2011). [https://web.archive.org/web/20111028202100/http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-10-27/olympus-stock-surges-as-kikukawa-quits-woodford-heads-to-fbi.html "Olympus's Kikukawa Quits as Axed Woodford Takes Case to FBI"], ''Bloomberg BusinessWeek''. Retrieved 27 October 2011</ref><ref>Cheesman, Chris (26 October 2011). [http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/news/Olympus_quit_over_widespread_concerns_news_310193.html "Olympus chairman quit over 'widespread concerns'"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111030102543/http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/news/Olympus_quit_over_widespread_concerns_news_310193.html |date=30 October 2011 }} ''Amateur Photographer''. Retrieved 27 October 2011</ref>

On 8 November 2011, the company admitted that the money had been used to [[tobashi scheme|cover losses on investments]] dating to the 1990s<ref name="sobleFT">{{cite web|last=Soble |first=Jonathan |url=https://www.ft.com/content/8745be6a-09af-11e1-a2bb-00144feabdc0 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/8745be6a-09af-11e1-a2bb-00144feabdc0.html |archive-date=10 December 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Olympus used takeover fees to hide losses |work=Financial Times  |date=29 September 2011 |access-date=8 November 2011}}</ref> and that company's accounting practice was "not appropriate", thus coming clean on "one of the biggest and longest-running loss-hiding arrangements in Japanese corporate history", according to the ''Wall Street Journal''. The company laid the blame for the inappropriate accounting on ex-president Tsuyoshi Kikukawa, auditor Hideo Yamada, and executive VP Hisashi Mori.<ref name=wsj20111107>{{cite web|url=https://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20111107-719199.html |title=Olympus President: Will Do Utmost To Avoid Delisting |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=7 November 2011|access-date=8 November 2011}}</ref>

On 21 December 2011, Japanese authorities, including the Tokyo prosecutor's office, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police and the Japanese Securities and Exchange Surveillance Commission, raided the company's offices in Tokyo.<ref name=cnn20111221>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2011/12/21/business/japan-olympus-raid/index.html?hpt=hp_bn2 |title=Japanese authorities raid Olympus offices |work=CNN|date=21 December 2011|access-date=24 December 2011}}</ref>

In February 2012, seven Olympus executives were arrested by Japanese police and prosecutors. Former president [[Tsuyoshi Kikukawa]], former executive vice president [[Hisashi Mori]], and former auditor [[Hideo Yamada]] were taken into custody on suspicion of violating the [[Financial Instruments and Exchange Law]], along with former bankers [[Akio Nakagawa]] and [[Nobumasa Yokoo]] and two others, suspected of having helped the board hide significant losses.<ref name="reutersarrests">{{cite news|url= http://uk.reuters.com/article/us-olympus-idUKTRE81E22120120216|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160425021102/http://uk.reuters.com/article/us-olympus-idUKTRE81E22120120216|url-status= dead|archive-date= 25 April 2016| title=Former executives, bankers arrested over Olympus fraud | work=Reuters| date=15 February 2012}}</ref>

On 25 September 2012, the company and Kikukawa, Yamada, and Mori pleaded guilty to collusion to submit false financial reports.<ref>{{cite news | title=Ex-Olympus execs plead guilty to hiding losses | date=September 26, 2012 | url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nb20120926a2.html | archive-url=https://archive.today/20130218152025/http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2012/09/26/news/ex-olympus-execs-plead-guilty-to-hiding-losses/%23.USJGnH3LdRw | archive-date=February 18, 2013 | url-status=dead | work=japantimes.co }}</ref>

On 1 March 2016, Olympus agreed to pay $646&nbsp;million of fines to US authorities.<ref name="CNNmoney">{{cite web |url= https://www.atkersonlaw.com/blog/2016/03/21/whistleblower-awarded-51-million-for-183093/|title= Whistleblower Awarded $51 Million for Reporting Bribes and Kickbacks|date= March 21, 2016 |author= Dan Atkerson|publisher= Law Offices of Dan A. Atkerson|access-date=October 5, 2025 |url-status=live 
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251005002350/https://www.atkersonlaw.com/blog/2016/03/21/whistleblower-awarded-51-million-for-183093/ |archive-date=October 5, 2025  }}</ref>

=== 2024 CEO resignation ===
On October 28, 2024, CEO Stefan Kaufmann was forced to resign by the Olympus board of directors after allegations of purchasing illegal narcotics. Preceding executive Yasuo Takeuchi was assigned the new CEO. Share prices dropped by 6% following the news.<ref name="Reuters">{{cite web|url= https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/olympus-says-ceo-steps-down-after-allegations-illegal-drug-purchase-2024-10-28/ | title=Olympus CEO resigns after allegations of illegal drug purchase, shares tumble| publisher=Reuters| date=28 October 2024}}</ref> On November 28, a 44-year-old man was re-arrested on drug dealing and extortion charges, allegedly forcing Kaufmann to pay 9,150,000 yen across 23 payments as hush money.<ref name="tokyonp">{{cite web|url=https://www.tokyo-np.co.jp/article/370223| title=オリンパス元社長に「口止め料」要求、違法薬物を用意していた男を恐喝容疑で再逮捕 被害915万円か | work=東京新聞デジタル | publisher=Tokyo Shimbun| date=28 November 2024}}</ref><ref name="Asahi">{{cite web|url= https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15509804 | title=Authorities push cocaine case against former CEO of Olympus| publisher=Asahi Shimbun| date=13 November 2024}}</ref> Kaufmann was later sentenced by the Tokyo District court to 10 months in prison. The presiding judge commented: "It is clear he had a deep involvement with illegal drugs and was dependent on them."<ref name="jt">{{cite web|url= https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/12/27/japan/crime-legal/olympus-ex-ceo-ruling/ | title=Ex-Olympus CEO Kaufmann gets suspended sentence over drugs| publisher=Japan Times| date=27 December 2024}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Companies}}
*[[Four Thirds system]]
*[[Laboratory equipment]]
*[[List of digital camera brands]]
*[[List of Olympus products]]
*[[List of photographic equipment makers]]
*[[Micro Four Thirds system]]
*[[Variable Control Voice Actuator]]
*[[xD-Picture Card]] and [[SmartMedia]]
*[[Acapella (trimaran)|Olympus Photo]]
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<!--Do not place links to Olympus products here. Place them in 'List of Olympus products'-->

== References ==
{{notelist}}
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Olympus|Olympus Corporation}}
*[http://www.olympus-global.com/ Official website]
{{Olympus Corporation|state=expanded}}
{{Olympus OM System}}
{{Electronics industry in Japan}}
{{Nikkei 225}}
{{DJSI World}}
{{Major imaging companies}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Olympus Corporation| ]]
[[Category:Companies listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange]]
[[Category:Companies in the Nikkei 225]]
[[Category:Electronics companies established in 1919]]
[[Category:Electronics companies of Japan]]
[[Category:Japanese brands]]
[[Category:Japanese companies established in 1919]]
[[Category:Lens manufacturers]]
[[Category:Manufacturing companies established in 1919]]
[[Category:Multinational companies headquartered in Japan]]
[[Category:Optics manufacturing companies of Japan]]
[[Category:Photography equipment manufacturers of Japan]]
[[Category:Technology companies established in 1919]]