- Business
- Sanrio Company, Ltd. (8136.T) plans, licenses, and sells character-branded merchandise, social communication gifts, greeting cards, books, stationery, school supplies, plush toys, fashion items, accessories, and video software worldwide; it operates theme parks including Sanrio Puroland in Tokyo and Harmonyland in Oita, Japan, produces and promotes animated films, musicals, live performances, and digital content; and provides additional services such as restaurant management, robot and car rentals, and non-life insurance agency business. The company features iconic characters including Hello Kitty, Cinnamoroll, Pompompurin, My Melody, Kuromi, Keroppi, Badtz-Maru, Little Twin Stars, and Gudetama, with licensing activities spanning over 130 countries through more than 800 retail stores and 1,000 licensed manufacturers, targeting children, families, collectors, and enthusiasts primarily in Japan, North America, Europe, Asia, and South America. Founded in 1960 by Shintaro Tsuji and headquartered in Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan, Sanrio maintains subsidiaries like Sanrio, Inc. in North America. In June 2025, the company entered a capital and business alliance with IG Port, Inc. to co-develop animated content using Sanrio IP, leverage IG Port characters, and create new intellectual property; in July 2025, Sanrio acquired a majority stake in Gugenka Inc.; and it announced plans to purchase up to 3.3 million treasury shares for up to 15 billion yen.