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  4. Corporate History

Corporate History

  • 1990~
  • 2000~
  • 2010~
  • 2020~
  • History
  • Service

1992

Dec.

Established Internet Initiative Planning Inc. (capital: JPY 18 million)

Our office before its building was demolished

Joined the Internet Society as a founding member

1993

May

Changed company name to Internet Initiative Japan Inc. (IIJ)

Jul.

Launched "UUCP Service"

Nov.

Launched "Internet Connectivity Service"(Japan's first)

Routers were highly expensive at the time.
IIJ devised its own router, which was a DOS/V personal computer with BSD UNIX installed.
This "router" connected to modems on dedicated lines via serial port using BSD/OS+PPP on a boot disk.

1994

Feb.

Registered as a Special Type 2 Telecommunications Carrier

May

Launched "Dialup IP Service"(Japan's first)

Nov.

Launched "Firewall Service"(Japan's first)

1995

Jan.

Established IIJ Media Communications Inc.

  • Supports a wide range of network communications, from constructing WWW servers and Internet application for utilizing networks to IIJ's Mailing List Server Service
  • (Merged with IIJ in 2005)

Nov.

Established Asia Internet Holdings Inc.

  • Builds network infrastructure in the Asia region, with a focus on backbone networks in the APAC region and A-Bone's construction and operation
  • (merged with IIJ in 2005)

1996

Nov.

Established IIJ Technology Inc.

  • Offers a comprehensive suite of systems integration services, from design, physical installation, operation, and maintenance to monitoring our customers' diverse network systems.
  • (Merged with IIJ in 2010)

Dec.

Launched "IIJ4U" for individual consumers

1997

Sep.

Established Internet Multifeed Co.blank

  • A joint venture with NTT Group and other companies to provide IX (Internet interconnectivity points) and data center services.

Nov.

Launched ISP service in the United States by IIJ America Inc.(Japan's first)

Launched "IIJ Economy Service"

  • A low-priced, easy-access dedicated line service that does not require servers

1998

Feb.

Established NetCare Inc.

  • Provides call center services and network operations and management as an outsourced service
  • (Changed its company name to IIJ Engineering Inc.blank (Japanese text only) in October 2014)

Apr.

  • Established IIJ Research Laboratory

Apr.

Launched "IP Multicast Distribution Service"(Japan's first)

Launched "IIJ Post Office Service"

Aug.

Released advanced router SEIL

The first-generation SEIL was an ISDN router

At the time, access points frequently established and disconnected new connections, so this router provided a function through which data could be stored on the server and the router could periodically retrieve it. (This design lowered provider support costs and increased usability.)

Oct.

Established Crosswave Communications Inc.

  • Provides a new generation of network infrastructure using optical fiber
  • (Transferred its business operations to NTT Communications Inc. in December 2003)

Dec.

Established industrial-academic joint project to promote IPv6

Dec.

Launched "ID Gateway Service"

1999

Jun.

  • Guarantees service quality consisting of four elements : Availability, Latency, Packet loss rate, and Outage notification

Aug.

Launched "IPv6 Trial Service" (tunneling)
(Japan's first)

Aug.

Listed on the NASDAQ(ticker symbol: IIJI)

State of signing ceremony

While it was rare for internet-related companies to be listed in Japan, those in the United States were expanding their businesses by raising market capital.
The United States was leading the world with cutting-edge technology, so IIJ needed to have a proactive relationship with companies doing business in the United States.
IIJ decided to be listed on NASDAQ to boost its profile and creditworthiness.

  1. (*)As announced in "Notice Regarding Effectiveness of Delisting of American Depositary Shares from the NASDAQ Exchange" which was announced on April 22, 2019, the delisting of IIJ's ADSs from NASDAQ became effective on April 22, 2019.

2000

Feb.

Launched "the iBPS Outsourcing Service" by IIJ Technology for net businesses (currently call IIJ GIO)

Jul.

IIJ named official Internet provider of the Kyushu/Okinawa Summit

Sep.

Launched "the IPv6 Native Service"

Dec.

Acquired Government's Contract for the Internet Fair 2001 Japan

2001

Mar.

Established "CDN JAPAN"

  • A joint venture with Oracle Japan and Cisco Systems to promote broadband-based content distribution

May

Launched "Internet exchange (IX) service, JPNAP" by Internet Multifeed

Sep.

Launched "IIJmioblank service" for individual consumers

Oct.

Launched high-end router "SEIL/neu" series

Nov.

Launched "Dual Stack IPv6/IPv4 service"
(Japan's first)

2002

Apr.

Lounched "IIJ Global VPN Service"

Aug.

Launched "CDN JAPAN" Platform Business

Nov.

Launched "IIJ VPN Standard Service"

Launched "Resource on Demand DC Service"

2003

Feb.

Developed network operating system "IIJ SMF (SEIL Management Framework)"(Japan's first)

May

Launched IP Telephony Service for individuals

2004

Jan.

Participated in the foundation of an anti-spam working group (Messaging Anti-Abuse Working Group [MAAWG])(Japan's first)

Apr.

Launched "IPv6 Live Broadcasting Service" by IIJ Media Communications(Japan's first)

Sep.

Established IIJ Financial Systems Inc.

  • A wholly-owned subsidiary of IIJ Technology

Oct.

Launched IIJ Financial Systems Inc. Business

  • Accepted a transfer of Yamatane Corporation's securities system business
  • Offers full outsourcing services of systems for securities firms, from constructing back office infrastructure to system administration
  • (The company was merged with IIJ Technology in 2010)

2005

Feb.

Internet Multifeed participated in Europe's largest IX carrier group, Euro-IX(Japan's first)

Feb.

Developed and began licensing "SEIL Engine" router software

Mar.

Participated in as a founding member in the establishment of the Japan Email Anti-Abuse Group (JEAG), a working group on anti-spam measures

Mar.

Introduced sender authentication technology(Japan's first)

Apr.

IIJ, ROOT and Novatec Jointly Developed Micro Multi-Platform Mobile Router

Oct.

Launched "IIJ EPC Network Service"

Launched "IIJ Internet-LAN Service"

Launched "IIJ DDoS Solution Service"

Dec.

Listed on the Mothers of the Tokyo Stock Exchange

2006

Jan.

Provided IIJ-SMF Service to NTT Com on OEM basis

Feb.

Established Internet Revolution Inc.

  • Operates a comprehensive portal site that provides various media content, such as SNS, blogs, stunning games, videos, and music
  • (Transferred its business operations to Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. in March 2022)

Received a patent for SMF (patent number 3774433)

Mar.

Introduced Source Address Validation to all connectivity services
(Japan's first)

Oct.

Established NetChart Inc.blank

  • Provides network construction services primarily for LANs, including wiring, installing and setting up equipment, installing applications, and providing operational support

Dec.

Transferred from Mothers' market to the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange (code: 3774)

Our listing on the Tokyo Stock Exchange was seven years later than our listing on the US NASDAQ. IIJ mostly did business with Japanese companies, so it was listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange with the hope of increasing its name recognition within Japan and its credt worthiness with companies listed on the TSE.

2007

Mar.

Launched a high-definition content delivery platform

Jun.

Launched "Unified Management Platform"

Jun.

Made hi-ho Inc. a wholly owned subsidiary

  • Acquired all stocks of Panasonic Network Services Inc.
  • Provides an ISP business for individuals that helps make lives safer, more secure, and more comfortable

Jul.

Invested in Taihei Computers, Co., Ltd.

  • Business partnership with Hirata Corporation
  • Provides loyalty program services on ASP, helping customers succeed in expanding their businesses
  • (Changed its company name to Trinity Inc. in May 2011)

Established Trust Networks Inc.blank(Japanese Text Only)

  • Plans and operates financial settlement services, such as ATM operating services

Aug.

Acquired Patent for SMF-LAN(Patent No.3996922)

Aug.

Launched "IIJ Secure Web Platform"

Sep.

Began offering the Earthquake Early Warnings Distribution Service on a trial basis

Oct.

Launched the new "SEIL/X" series models of the SEIL series of new-generation, high-performance routers

2008

Feb.

Launched "IIJ Mobile Service/Type E"

  • Compatible with EMOBILE

Jun.

Launched "IIJ FiberAccess/A Service"

Jun.

Established IIJ Innovation Institute Inc.blank

  • Develops new technologies for the next-generation of the Internet and runs an incubation business
  • (Merged with IIJ in April 2022)

Jul.

Established the Shinsaibashi Data Center

Aug.

Independently developed IIJ Mobile Secure Link

Sep.

Launched the new "SEIL/B1" SEIL series model

2009

Feb.

Established the Nerima Data Center

Jun.

Launched "iiMail Suite"

Jul.

Launched "LaIT service" for small and medium businesses

Jul.

IIJ Research Laboratory was moved under the management of the IIJ Innovation Institute

Nov.

Established Layer 2 connectivity between IIJ and NTT DOCOMO


2010

Feb.

Received a patent for SMFv2 (patent number 4463868)

Sep.

Launched IIJ Global Solutions Inc.,blank Business

  • Acquired 100% ownership of AT&T Japan's new subsidiary
  • Provides WAN connectivity services and total network outsourcing services, from designing to building and managing enterprise networks

2011

May

Launched "IIJ Wide Area Load Balancing Service"

Launched "IIJ Smart Mobile Manager Service"

Jun.

Began supporting NTT East/West FLET'S IPv6 connections with corporate and personal services

Established the Kozu Data Center

Jul.

Launched services supporting NTT East/West's new IPv6 connection method with personal services

Sep.

Established the Mitaka Data Center

Sep.

Launched a representative office in Thailand by IIJ Global Solutions Inc.

2012

Feb.

Launched LTE-Compatible Service on IIJmio

Launched LTE-Compatible Service on IIJmobile

Mar.

IIJ Group provided cloud computing service "IIJ GIO US Service" in the U.S.

Apr.

Established a IIJ Exlayer Inc.

  • Exlayer Global Inc. to make it a owned subsidiary
  • (merged with IIJ in 2014)

Established Stratosphere Inc.

  • A joint venture with ACCESS Co., Ltd. for next-generation cloud platform technology
  • (After dissolving the joint venture in 2015, IIJ and ACCESS both took over Stratosphere's business via a business transfer)

May

Announced the IIJ GIO Virtual Platform VW Series(Japanese Text Only)

Launched a new solution to provide emergency earthquake bulletins via digital signage on vending machines

Oct.

Stratosphere announced a commercial version of its network virtualization platform, which IIJ and ACCESS began selling as "Stratosphere SDN Platform 1.0."

IIJ Launches the IIJ GIO Hadoop Solution

2013

Jan.

Launched an industry-first business model that provides the SA-W1 network device free of charge while billing for functionality

Feb.

Opened the Moriyama Data Center

Apr.

Changed company name of 2 overseas affiliates of IIJ Exlayer (Strengthening structure of European base)

  • Local subsidiary in the UK -> IIJ Europe Limitedblank
  • Local affiliate in Germany -> IIJ Deutschland GmbH

Jul.

Launched IIJ GIO Cloud Transcode Pack

2014

Feb.

provided cloud computing service "IIJ GIO Singapore Service" in Singapore

Celebration scenery

Singapore is the center of the ASEAN region and the place where many ISPs are based. IIJ has maintained ISP interconnection with Asian countries around Singapore.
Through its high-quality Internet environment and cloud services, IIJ supports IT infrastructure for its customers based in Asia.

Jun.

Launched a DWH database product for high-speed processing of big data as a cloud service

Jul.

IIJ and Microsoft Japan Co., Ltd. collaborate with multi-cloud service

Oct.

JCTA and IIJ launched an industry-wide MVNO platform for cable television providers

Nov.

Launched "IIJ GIO Secure Apps Service"

Dec.

RYUKOSHA NETWARE Inc. became a wholly owned subsidiary(Japanese Text Only)

  • Acquired all stocks
  • Provides a wide range of IT engineering outsourcing services, from systems construction/operation to service support for corporate customers.
  • (Changed its company name to IIJ Protech Inc.blank (Japanese text only) in January 2020)

2015

Dec.

Launched "PrimeSeat"(World's first)

2016

Mar.

Launched "IIJ Smart Metering Service for B-Route"

Launched "IIJ ID Service"

Nov.

Launched "IIJ IoT Service"

  • An IoT platform that unites networks and the cloud

Nov.

Established IIJ Global Solutions Vietnam Company Limitedblank

  • IIJ will implement public cloud facilities at FPT Telecom's datacenters. It will undertake the operation and maintenance of service platforms and technical support for the service administration

Dec.

Established JOCDN Inc.

  • A joint venture with Nippon TV
  • Provides content delivery network (CDN) services for reliable distribution of high-quality video content.

2017

Mar.

Established Security Operation Center (SOC)

Established the Security Operation Center(SOC) as a part of expanding IIJ's security business SOC is a facility that is equipped with all the necessary and appropriate systems for detecting and responding to risks with speed and accuracy, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, based on a massive amount of data.
A security lab designed to handle highly confidential data, including analyses of customer PCs and the like, will also be built within the SOC. IIJ will respond to advanced threats through collaboration between the security lab and the SOC.

2018

Aug.

Provided "IIJmio IoT Service" specialized for IoT.

2019

Mar.

Succeeded in live streaming using the 4K images and high- resolution audio format.(World's first)

Jun.

Started Field trails on the integration of public LTE and private LTE with the University of Tokyo(Japan's first)


2020

Sep.

Total shipments of "SEIL" series exceeded 200,000 units

2021

Sep.

Launched "BLE IoT Starter package"

2022

Sep.

Acquired APEC CBPR Certification(World's first)

  • As the world's first cloud service provider to acquire both EU BCR approval and APEC CBPR certification, can ensure secure transfer of personal data across the U.S., Southeast Asia and elsewhere. 

Dec

IIJ Celebrates 30th Anniversary

2023

Sep.

Introduced 400 Gigabit Ethernet for external connection of backbone network

2024

Jan.

Launched "IIJ SaaS Security Audit Solution"

Apr.

The Total number of accounts for corporate e-mail service exceeded 10 million

Jul.

Launched "IIJ Identity Governance and Administration Service"


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