About Company profile

History

1939

Founder Shunpei Watanabe engaged in research on photo judgment as the head of the photography subcommittee of the scientific facility research committee at the Organizing Committee of the 12th Olympic Games in Tokyo.

1949

Established the Japan Sports Photo finishing Association. Started photo finish using high-speed cameras at Kawasaki Keirin-jyo.

1950

Invented a slit camera for photo finish. (Named Photofini camera) A slit camera with a judgment line, certified as an "excellent invention" by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry. Entrusted with photo finishing at the Funabashi Auto Race Stadium.

1951

Reorganized as Nippon Hotofini Co., Ltd. Entrusted photo finishing at Utsunomiya Keirin-jyo.

1952

Started photo finish job at Tsu Boat Race Course.

1953

Established Riken Science Film Co., Ltd. (The company name was changed to Nippon Photographic Science Laboratory Co., Ltd. in 1973.)

1957

Company name changed to Japan Photo Finish Co., Ltd. (From Nippon Hotofini Co., Ltd.)

1958

In charge of photo finishing for track and field at the 3rd Asian Games held in Tokyo.

1964

At the 18th Olympic Games in Tokyo, I was in charge of photo finishing for track and field, cycling and rowing.

1965

Entrusted live television broadcasting business at the Nishinomiya Keirin-jyo.

1968

Received the Science and Technology Agency Director-General's Award for the "Competition judge of the finishing order Device" at the Tokyo Excellent Invention Exhibition.

1977

Developed a corner camera swivel device. Acquired a telecommunications construction business license.

1978

The I-type electronic slit camera developed by our company is adopted at the Tokuyama Boat Race Course.

1983

Moved the main office to the current location (2-chome Fujimi, Chiyoda-ku).

1985

Developed a compact automatic developing device for slit camera.

1987

Developed an electronic pistol for starters. It is used at Keirin-jyo nationwide.

1990

Developed type II electronic slit camera.

1991

At the 3rd World Championships in Athletics in Tokyo, we were in charge of photo finishing in track and field. Adopted CRT-type large video equipment on the opposite shore at the Amagasaki Boat Race Course.

1992

Type II electronic slit camera is adopted at the 25th Olympic Games in Barcelona. Responsible for photo finish in track and field, cycling, rowing, and canoeing.

1993

Entrusted live broadcasting work with high-definition cameras at the Moji Keirin-jyo.

1995

The Type III electronic slit camera is adopted at the Gamagori Boat Race Course and the Hamanako Boat Race Course.

1996

Started program production for CS broadcasting at Hiroshima Keirin-jyo, Koshien Keirin-jyo, Tamano Keirin-jyo, and Hofu Keirin-jyo.

1997

Teledome business started at Utsunomiya Keirin-jyo and Otsu Biwako Keirin-jyo. Entrusted program production work for terrestrial and CS broadcasting at Nishinomiya Keirin-jyo. A centralized control system is introduced at the Amagasaki Boat Race Course.

1998

Completed CS transmission ground fixed station at Utsunomiya Keirin-jyo and started operation.

2001

A Keirin starter is adopted at the Nara Keirin-jyo. Adopted LED type large video equipment on the opposite shore at the Amagasaki Boat Race Course.

2002

Started Internet live streaming service at Otsu Biwako Keirin-jyo.

2003

The V-type electronic slit camera is adopted at the Tokuyama Boat Race Course.

2006

The industry's first computer-controlled digital monitoring system is adopted at the Amagasaki Boat Race Course.

2007

Developed the VI-type electronic slit camera.

2008

Trial operation of VI type electronic slit camera started at Utsunomiya Keirin-jyo. Started operation of a digital high-definition video system at the Tamano Keirin-jyo. Licensed for interior finishing work.

2009

Started operation of an on-site broadcasting system that supports digital high-definition throughout the Utsunomiya Keirin-jyo. Launched CYCLE STAR, a live streaming website of cycling competitions. Entrusted the first domestic BMX race photofinishing judging at the Osaka Sakai International BMX Championship (using a VI-type electronic slit camera)

Entrusted photo judging at the Triathlon World Championship Series in Yokohama (using VI-type electronic slit camera)

2010

Started total management business for Toyama Keirin-jyo.

2013

Started total management business for Chiba Keirin jyo. Started total management business for Matsusaka Keirin-jyo.

2014

The electronic slit camera (digital finish) becomes an official equipment of the Japan Triathlon Union. Started total management business for Funabashi Auto Race Stadium. Started total management business for Sanyo Auto Race Stadium. An electronic slit camera (digital finish) is used in the boat race Toda, Heiwajima, Edogawa, and Tamagawa.

2015

Started total management business for Hiroshima Keirin-jyo. Certified as a Tokyo sports promoting company by the Governor of Tokyo.

Certified as Tokyo sports promoting company (certified every year)

2017

Started total management business for Kyoto Mukomachi Keirin-jyo. Representative Director Shuntaro Watanabe was appointed as JCF Managing Director.

2018

Representative director Shuntaro Watanabe assumed the position of chairman of the Japan Cycle Sports Promotion Association.

2019

Representative Director Shuntaro Watanabe assumed the post of Executive Director in charge of general affairs and BMX at the JCF, member of the JCF Mountain Bike Committee, and director of the Japan Cycling Association.

Certified as a Tokyo Sports Promotion Model Company

2021

Changed company name to JPF Co., Ltd., (past  Japan Photo Finish Co., Ltd.)
Started total management business for Nagoya Keirin-jyo
250m wooden bank “TIPSTAR DOME CHIBA” completed
Established PIST6, Inc., a joint venture with mixi, Inc. Held the “PIST6 Championship” tournament
Concluded multiple project development agreement in Japan with Wave Garden (Spain)
Established "JPFagri Co., Ltd." as an affiliated company for the purpose of cultivating and selling agricultural products.
Kisato Nakamura, who belongs to our company, participated in the Tokyo Olympics as a Track Cycling for the Women's Madison as a Japan representative rider.

2023

Certified as Sports Yell Company 2023 by the Japan Sports Agency