Zenrin

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Zenrin head office building in Riverwalk Kitakyushu
Zenrin head office building in Riverwalk Kitakyushu

Zenrin Co. Ltd. (株式会社ゼンリン) (TYO: 9474) is a Japanese map publisher. Founded in 1948, 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.

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[edit] 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 noted Edo period mapmaker Inō Tadataka began his mapping of Kyūshū, in the midst of a modern shopping and cultural center called Riverwalk Kitakyushu. The company also has a development center (Techno Center) at Nakabaru Shinmachi 3-1, Tobata Ward, Kitakyushu.

[edit] 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 the StarFlyer airline.

[edit] 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.

[edit] External links

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