Haibara’s history is replete with episodes of “becoming the first in Japan.”
Haibara was among the first to sell gampi paper to the general public in Japan.
Haibara was among the first to sell Christmas cards in Japan.
Haibara was among the first to make official postcards in Japan.

This time, we’d like to introduce the episode “The first Japanese company to successfully produce paper for recording measurements.”

“Measurement recording paper” is a paper used to record data measurements such as temperature, humidity, pressure, flow rate, chemical composition, water level, wind direction, wind speed, etc. Today, it is used in numerous industries, such as steel, chemicals, electric power, gas, automobiles, paper, pharmaceuticals, food and IT.

They are also needed in situations close to our daily lives, such as “air pollution measurement paper” for environmental protection, “thermo-hygrometer paper” for weather observation, “electrocardiogram paper” used for medical equipment, “electroencephalograph paper,” and “delivery monitoring measurement paper.”

Why did Haibara become involved in the development of recording paper? The reason dates back to the Edo period, when the company was founded. Since the Edo period, Haibara has worked with a number of painters to produce Japanese paper products. Supposedly, the technique of these craftsmen’s ruled lines (i.e., lines drawn by hand in order to create an accurate rough sketch, similar to those on a grid sheet of paper) led to the invention of recording paper.

In 1919, Haibara became the first Japanese company to successfully produce measurement recording paper, which had previously been imported. In 1966, Haibara was also successful in developing the first automatic paper folding production system. This “foldable recording paper” has been adopted by other countries as well and is the predominant recording paper in use today.

Then, in 1969, Haibara’s high-precision measurement recording paper was adopted for the data recording of the Apollo 11 mission. The fact that the paper does not shrink with changes in humidity was the deciding factor.
Apollo 11, carrying Haibara’s paper, traveled far into space and made the first-ever lunar landing with the entire world watching.
Haibara’s recording paper was also highly valuable as data paper for the measuring tools required to evaluate the lunar rocks. It was a monumental work that added a new chapter to human history.

How Haibara’s accordion letter paper was invented.

A novel and practical bestselling product produced by Haibara during the Showa era (1926-1989)

A letter paper sequence suitable for both short memos and long letters.

Unique letter paper that is perforated at each fold and can be torn off once the message has been written….
Yes, exactly. It’s the “accordion-folded letter paper,” a huge success following the record-keeping paper that is essential when talking about Haibara during the Showa era.

The inspiration for “accordion-folded letter paper” originated from Haibara’s expertise in folding paper scrolls, Japanese paper, books, and sutras, which the company has dealt with from its foundation.

However, when the first “accordion-folded letter paper” went on sale in 1981, it was not as popular as it is today. Hiroshi Yoshimatsu, Haibara’s director, recalls those days:

We were enthusiastic about the development of this interesting idea, but at first it did not sell well, and we struggled. However, gradually, the companies we did business with began to pay attention to us and say, “This is an interesting and easy-to-use letter paper,” or “We would like to use it as an advertising tool or a commemorative gift.”

Since then, “accordion-folded letter paper” has quickly become one of Haibara’s most popular products.
In the second half of the Heisei period, printing technology improved. This made it possible to print Haibara designs, which had been passed down from the previous generations, on the letter paper, which had not been possible before. In addition, refined products with functionality and excellent design were born one after another.
The new accordion-folded letter paper series created through this process, won the 2012 Good Design Award, the 19th Japan Stationery Award for Excellence in the design category, and other accolades.

In addition, the possibilities of accordion-folded letter paper are expanding, with the introduction of variants such as “small size accordion-folded letter paper” and “horizontal writing accordion-folded letter paper,” which can be used in a variety of settings.

“Accordion-folded letter paper” has become one of the most popular products offered by Haibara, with approximately 0000000 copies sold annually.
It can be used for both short and extended correspondence.
We hope to be an integral part of your daily life so that your connections with your loved ones are more meaningful and enjoyable.