Category Archives: Tamiya Company

Tamiya History Museum


Tracing Tamiya’s history through models

The Tamiya History Museum showcases Tamiya products, which have evolved with the times since the company’s founding in 1946.
In the summer of 2025, the museum renovated its exhibits from the company’s early days. The museum explores the transition from wood to plastic model materials through restored finished models, wooden models, and Styrofoam models, showcasing products from which only blueprints remained. Products symbolizing the company’s early days are also on display, including Tamiya’s first plastic model, the 1/800 Yamato, and the 1/35 Panther Tank, which laid the foundation for military model development. The museum also features valuable products that have defined the era, including early military miniatures and car models, which continue to this day, radio-controlled cars that sparked a boom upon their release, and Mini 4WD, which spread the appeal of palm-sized, moving models around the world as a racing hobby. Experience Tamiya’s journey as a global model manufacturer through trial and error .
Advance reservations are required to visit the museum. Apply for a reservation here.

Tamiya’s history from its founding to the 1970s

May 1946: Tamiya Shoji Limited Partnership was established in Oshika, Shizuoka City, with the aim of processing and selling general building materials.
April 1948: Recognizing the promising future of wooden models, a woodworking department was established. A manufacturing and sales business for model teaching materials was also established.
June 1953: The general building materials manufacturing and sales department was dissolved. The company began operations as a manufacturer specializing in wooden models.
May 1960: The 1/800 scale Yamato battleship was released as the first all-plastic model assembly kit.
January 1962: The 1/35 scale Panther Tank, the first motorized plastic model tank, was released.
January 1968: Tamiya exhibited for the first time at the Nuremberg International Toy Fair in Germany. The 1/12 scale Honda F-1 exhibited, further enhancing Tamiya’s reputation for precision scale plastic models.
November 1976: The 1/12 scale Porsche 934 Turbo electric radio-controlled car was released.

Company history and background

May 1946 Tamiya Shoji Limited Partnership was established in Oshika, Shizuoka City, for the purpose of processing and selling general building materials.
April 1948 Recognizing the promising future of wooden models, the company established a woodworking department, which also began manufacturing and selling model teaching materials.
June 1953 The general building materials manufacturing and sales division was dissolved and the company started as a specialized manufacturer of wooden models.
May 1960 The first all-plastic model assembly kit, the 1/800 scale Battleship Yamato, was released.
January 1962 The first motorized plastic model tank, the 1/35 Panther Tank, is released.
December 1962 The plastic molding division was spun off and Tamiya Plastic Industry Co., Ltd. was established.
January 1967 The first issue of the model information magazine Tamiya News is published.
January 1968 Tamiya exhibits for the first time at the Nuremberg International Toy Fair (now Spielwarenmesse), one of the world’s largest toy fairs. The 1/12 scale Honda F-1 model enhances Tamiya’s reputation for precision scale plastic models.
August 1969 Tamiya Plastic Industry Co., Ltd. changes its name to Tamiya Model Co., Ltd., and strengthens its mold and molding divisions.
August 1973 Tamiya Shoji Co., Ltd. completed its head office and set factory at 628 Oshika, Shizuoka City, a four-story reinforced concrete building with a total floor area of ​​4,500 m².
November 1976 Founder and Chairman, the late Yoshio Tamiya, is awarded the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Fifth Class.
November 1976 1/12 scale electric radio control car Porsche 934 Turbo released.
May 1977 Shunsaku Tamiya is appointed President and Representative Director of Tamiya Model Co., Ltd.
November 1977 A three-story, 5,460m² distribution center is completed on the Tamiya Shoji (affiliated) site.
October 1978 Tamiya Circuit completed on land adjacent to Tamiya Shoji.
October 1978 Tamiya Plastics Co., Ltd. was established with the expansion of the plastic molding division.
May 1980 The first Tamiya Modellers Gallery exhibition, sponsored by Tamiya, was held at Tokyu Hands Shibuya in Tokyo.
December 1980 Tamiya Model Co., Ltd.’s new headquarters (main building) is completed at 3-7 Ondahara, Shizuoka City. It is a six-story building with a total floor area of ​​7,000 m².
July 1982 The Mini 4WD series, which would later become a huge hit, began with the Ford Ranger 4×4.
March 1984 As Tamiya Shoji Co., Ltd. expanded its business, Tamiya Co., Ltd. was established. Shunsaku Tamiya was appointed President and Representative Director.
Tamiya Co., Ltd. took over all of Tamiya Shoji’s operations.
November 1985 Tamiya Plastics Co., Ltd. Ikeda Factory begins operation.
November 1988 Yoshio Tamiya, founder and chairman of the Tamiya Group, passes away at the age of 83.
April 1989 Construction of the second headquarters building (East Wing) was completed on the Tamiya Model Co., Ltd. headquarters premises, with 8 floors above ground and 1 basement floor, totaling 8,500 m².
May 1989   Tamiya America is established in Los Angeles as a local office to expand sales in the United States.
September 1989   Tamiya Europe GMBH is established in Neuss, Germany as a sales base in preparation for the integration of the European Community.
April 1990 Tamiya’s second distribution center is completed at 915 Oshika, Shizuoka City. It is a four-story building with a total floor area of ​​5,317 m².
July 1990   Tamiya Hall opens at the Bovington Tank Museum in the UK.
December 1990 The planning, development, and other operations of Tamiya Model Co., Ltd. are integrated into Tamiya Co., Ltd.
July 1992 Tamiya America’s headquarters building is completed in Aliso Viejo, Orange County, California.
December 1993 Tamiya Hong Kong is established.
September 1994 Tamiya Philippines is established in the Mactan Island Special Export Processing Zone, Cebu, Philippines.
June 1995 Following the wishes of the late Yoshio Tamiya, he established the Tamiya Scholarship Foundation.
December 1995 The Mini 4WD series reaches a cumulative production of 100 million units.
May 1996 The Tamiya R&D Center Kakegawa, a research and development facility, and the Tamiya Kakegawa Circuit, one of the largest in the world with a site area of ​​approximately 7,000m² and a course length of 320m, have opened in Kakegawa City, Shizuoka Prefecture.
December 1996 Tamiya Europe GMBH moves to Fürth, Germany.
April 1997 A scholarship program has been launched in the Philippines for students enrolled at both the University of San Carlos and the University of the Philippines.
November 2000 The first Tamiya Fair was held at Twin Messe Shizuoka South Hall.
March 2005 Received the 1st Design Excellent Company Award from the Japan Industrial Design Promotion Organization.
June 2006 Tamiya Tokyo office opens in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo.
June 2007 Tamiya America moves from Aliso Viejo, California to Irvine, California.
June 2008 Senior Managing Director Masayuki Tamiya is appointed President and Representative Director of Tamiya Co., Ltd. President Shunsaku Tamiya becomes Chairman and Representative Director.
September 2008   The official Tamiya Plastic Model Factory Shimbashi store opens in Shimbashi, Tokyo.
Tamiya’s Tokyo office is relocated to the same location.
October 2008 An off-road course for RC cars and a full-scale rock crawling field were constructed within the Tamiya Kakegawa Circuit.
April 2012 Tamiya Scholarship Foundation transitions from a foundation to a public interest incorporated foundation.
April 2015 The “1/1 Mini 4WD Real Car Project” begins. The “1/1 Mini 4WD Aero Avante” will be unveiled for the first time in October.
June 2016 Tamiya Kakegawa Circuit reopens as an all-weather circuit.
June 2016   In response to the Kumamoto earthquake, we sold “Ganbare! Kumamoto Mini 4WD (Kumamon Edition)” and donated all profits to Kumamoto Prefecture.
February 2017 The 68th Spielwarenmesse, the world’s largest toy fair, was held in Germany. Tamiya celebrated its 50th anniversary of exhibiting at the fair.
May 2017   President and CEO Masayuki Tamiya passes away (aged 59).
June 2017   Shunsaku Tamiya, Chairman and Representative Director of Tamiya Co., Ltd., will also serve as President.
July 2018 The 1/35 scale military miniature series celebrates its 50th anniversary. The lineup includes 360 models.
October 2023 Tamiya Philippines begins operations at new factory in CLIP (Cebu Light Industrial Park) on Mactan Island, Cebu
May 2024 TAMIYA PLAMODEL FACTORY TOKYO opens in Shinbashi, Tokyo as a new flagship location.
July 2024   Senior Managing Director Nobuo Tamiya is appointed President and Representative Director of Tamiya Co., Ltd. Chairman and President Shunsaku Tamiya becomes Chairman and Representative Director.
*In April 2005, Shizuoka City changed its address notation when it became a designated city.

 

Paisen RC (Maezumi Satoshi) visiting the new Tamiya Modelers Store



Source: Paisen RC
2,000 Tamiya repair parts available immediately
TAMIYA MODELERS STORE is a retailer specializing in aftermarket parts. Among the repair and spare parts for Tamiya products handled by Tamiya Customer Service, approximately 2,000 highly sought-after items are available for same-day purchase. The store is divided into areas by genre, and the walls are lined with parts and stickers for scale models, RC cars, Mini 4WD, and more. Not only can you find damaged or lost parts, but just browsing the store is sure to inspire your next project. TAMIYA MODELERS STORE is located diagonally across the intersection from Tamiya’s flagship store, TAMIYA PLAMODEL FACTORY TOKYO. If you’re in the Shimbashi/Toranomon area, be sure to stop by.
■ Name: TAMIYA MODELERS STORE
■ Address: 1F, Le Graciel BLDG.80, 4-27-1, Shinbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0004
* Diagonally across the intersection from TAMIYA PLAMODEL FACTORY TOKYO
(1 minute walk)
■ Telephone: 03-6809-1175 (Forwarded from TAMIYA PLAMODEL FACTORY TOKYO)
■ Business hours: Weekdays 11:00-20:00 / Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays 10:00-19:00
■ Note: Payment is cashless only. Cash payments are not accepted.

In Memoriam: Mr. Masao Tamiya who defined the Tamiya style


For model enthusiasts and design aficionados, the name Masao Tamiya has long been deeply etched in their hearts as the “behind-the-scenes force” behind the beauty of the Tamiya brand. As the younger brother of Chairman Shunsaku, Tamiya oversaw Tamiya’s design for over 30 years and created the iconic Twin Star logo that symbolizes the brand. His passion and craftsmanship exude an unwavering commitment to beauty and unwavering trust.

The Man Behind Packaging That “Conveys” Design
In 1981, the exhibition “Designer and Company Series 20: Masao Tamiya and TAMIYA: Tamiya Model Packaging Design” was held at Design Gallery 1953, showcasing the internationally acclaimed packaging designs he had created over more than 20 years. Tamiya’s white box (the so-called “white package”) was not merely packaging, but a “window” that spoke of its contents and heightened the anticipation of opening it. Above all, the precise and thoughtful design resonated deeply with fans.

Design as Art − The World of “Paper and Color”
After leaving Tamiya in 1998, Tamiya shifted his creative focus to graphic art. In 2005, an exhibition of three-dimensional artworks created by hand using paper was held. Utilizing the unique texture of paper and the warmth of handcrafted work, the pieces featured vibrant flat surfaces and depth reminiscent of paintings. Visitors were likely moved by the subtle variations in coloring and cutting, realizing that this was not merely a print but a living, breathing work of art.

Tamiya World Championship 1996

Our reader Søren Boy Holst who won the Tamiya World Championship 1996 and still races since 35 years without a break RC cars kindly provided us some insights, photos and video of it for which we are very thankful:

Attached is a podium photo from the Tamiya World Championship 1996 held at Kakegawa Circuit, where Søren Boy Holst from Denmark won the FWD class and became Tamiya World Champion. In the same season, he also won the Tamiya European Championship in Switzerland (where a young Marc Rheinard also participated in the FWD class) – making it a double victory year for him in the Front Wheel Drive category.

In the photo, Søren is seen at the top of the podium holding his trophy and his Tamiya FWD race car. The race marked the early use of the now-famous Kakegawa Circuit, which had only just opened that year.

Also present at the same event was Scotty Ernst (USA), now a legendary RC race announcer and founder of the ETS series, who competed in the 4WD Touring Car class. The US FWD Champion Fred Medel also took part in the FWD category.

If you have other photos, link to the TV article, or any other relevant informations from that race, please send it to me. – I had a fantastic time in Japan, and I plan to come back soon, this time with my family.

In Memoriam: Mr. Shunsaku Tamiya

We at TamiyaBlog express our deepest condolences on the passing of Mr. Shunsaku Tamiya. His visionary leadership and lifelong dedication to the world of plastic modelling have left an indelible mark on generations of hobbyists around the world.

Mr. Tamiya’s passion, precision, and commitment to excellence transformed the art of model-making into a global hobby, fostering creativity, patience, and joy in countless individuals. His legacy lives on in every carefully assembled kit and every enthusiast inspired by the craftsmanship he championed.

We are profoundly grateful for his unique and lasting contribution. The name Tamiya is not just a brand—it is a symbol of quality, innovation, and the shared spirit of model builders everywhere.

With heartfelt thanks and deepest respect,
TamjyaBlog Team

Obituary of the Chairman of the Board

22 July 2025

Tamiya Corporation

Shunsaku Tamiya, Chairman of the Board and Representative Director of Tamiya Corporation, passed away on 18 July 2025 at the age of 90. We would like to express our deepest gratitude for your friendship during his lifetime and respectfully inform you of his death.

We would like to inform you that, in accordance with the wishes of the deceased, the funeral service was conducted by close relatives only.

The date and time have not yet been decided, but a farewell party will be held at a later date at our company.

We regret to inform you that we are unable to accept any condolences in lieu of flowers, offerings or telegrams of condolence.

Shunsaku Tamiya Biography

Born on 19 December 1934

March 1953 Graduated from Shizuoka High School

March 1958 Graduated from the Faculty of Law, Waseda University

April 1958 Joined Tamiya Shoji Limited Partnership

April 1960 Appointed General Manager of Planning Department, Tamiya Corporation

1 August 1969 Appointed Managing Director of Tamiya Mokei

31 May 1977 Appointed President and Representative Director, Tamiya Corporation 17 Oct. 1978: Appointed Representative Director of Tamiya Plastic Co.

24 Mar. 1984: Appointed Representative Director and President of Tamiya Co.

23 Oct. 1988: Appointed Representative Partner of Tamiya Shoji Limited Partnership

1 Jun. 1994: Appointed President of Shizuoka Models and Materials Cooperative Association

21 Jun. 1995: Appointed President of Tamiya Scholarship Foundation

1 Jun. 2008: Appointed President of Tamiya Scholarship Association (Chairman of Tamiya Corporation

2009 Chairman and President of Tamiya Corporation

1 Jul. 2024 Chairman of Tamiya Corporation

[External directors]

President of Shizuoka Model Resource Association

President of Tamiya Scholarship Foundation

President of Shizuoka Industrial and Tourism Strategy Promotion Organisation

[Awards]

Shizuoka City Distinguished Service Award Governor of Shizuoka Prefecture Commendation

Japan Media Arts Festival Merit Award

The world of HOBBY expands from Prelude [Tamiya Edition]


The world of HOBBY is a great way to fall in love with cars. Plastic models and miniature cars are loved by many people, regardless of age or gender, from young children to the elderly. We heard that the HOBBY industry was getting excited about the release of “Prelude” this fall, so our editorial team visited the “Shizuoka Hobby Show” held in May.

Shizuoka, the world capital of model making
At the Tamiya booth, which was my destination, I was surprised to see the actual “New Prelude Prototype” car and the development manager, LPL Yamagami.

–Yamagami-san, why are you here?

Yamagami LPL:  Actually, Tamiya will be releasing a plastic model of the car at roughly the same time as the actual car. So when I heard that Tamiya was going to unveil the new Prelude plastic model at the Shizuoka Hobby Show, I suggested, “Why not also exhibit the actual car?” and they did, so I came to the venue to see it.

–What was the reaction from the people at the venue?

I’m especially happy that not only the adults at Yamagami LPL  but also many children come to the venue. The response is also good.

— Ueno-san:
Nowadays, there are very few coupe-type cars, so I’m very happy to see this kind of car come out, and I hope it sells well. The interior is like a cockpit, so it looks exciting to drive.

— Onishi-san:
I thought the retractable headlights used in the second and third generation Preludes were very cool, and the new model is also cool.

–Shin-san,
the flowing lines on the sides are really beautiful, and the black lines underneath make the whole thing look more toned and sharp. With a plastic model, you can check every little detail, so it’s nice to get an idea of ​​what it’ll look like before you buy it.

–Ichiro:
I felt that this design was something new that Honda had never done before. And yet, the sense of luxury, or rather, the sense of luxury, has been properly inherited from the second and third generation Preludes. This car makes you feel something like Honda’s DNA.

–Hikaru:
Honda is a manufacturer that is very good at simple but high-quality designs. That’s why I want Honda to work harder. I feel like I want them to bring back the passionate ideas of the past, like “Hondaism.”

–Ami:
I’m currently driving a FIT RS, but I think the new Prelude is also cool. I heard it’s equipped with a new hybrid, so I’d love to test drive it.

–Tera:
I wanted to buy the new Prelude, so I came all the way to the Shizuoka Hobby Show to see it. The brake calipers are beautiful and blue, and they immediately caught my eye. The design that uses blue as an accent is something that Honda hasn’t had much of in the past, so it was refreshing.

–The “New Prelude Prototype” that was specially exhibited at the Tamiya booth was well received. But why was the plastic model unveiled before the actual car was released? The editorial department was curious, so we spoke to Yamagami LPL and Ishiguro, who is in charge of product development at Tamiya.

-Why was the plastic model completed before the actual car was released?

Yamagami LPL:  Actually (laughs), I went to pitch it myself. I went to a hobby show.

–To sell?

Yamagami LPL:  My own childhood experience with Tamiya plastic models gave me a strong feeling for them, so I thought that if I ever became a development manager, I would like to do a simultaneous release. Also, I was frustrated to find out that Honda hasn’t released a new model for four-wheeled vehicles for nearly 10 years since the NSX, so I went to the event.

Tamiya Co., Ltd. Planning and Development Department, Takeshi Ishiguro
Mr. Ishiguro:  When we were making a model of the new Prelude, before the actual car was released, we were given valuable drawings and materials under confidentiality. I was surprised because I had never had such an experience before. We were also able to interview the research center in Tochigi and even toured the factory.

This was our first time visiting Mr. Ishiguro’s  factory and research lab, so honestly, our Tamiya team was excited.

–But just because you go to Tamiya doesn’t necessarily mean that they’ll be able to turn it into a product, right?

Ishiguro:  Of course we discussed it in our planning meetings, but since it was a big topic at the last Mobility Show and the sports car-like design is cool, there were no objections and the decision to turn it into a product was made without any problems (laughs).

Yamagami LPL  : Actually, I was playing a prank. When I invited Tamiya to the Mobility Show, I made a package with a picture of the new Prelude in a dummy Tamiya box and took it with me. There are a lot of plastic model lovers in Honda’s research lab, so I made it with enthusiasm and presented it to Tamiya.

Mr. Ishiguro  was surprised (laughs). It’s true that Honda’s enthusiasm was conveyed thanks to that.

–That’s the story behind the actual car and the plastic model, which were released almost simultaneously. It seems that the collaboration was unveiled at the Shizuoka Hobby Show.

Ishiguro:  This model also includes a first for Tamiya. We’ve recreated the rear of the new Prelude opening like a hatchback. This is a first for the 1/24 sports car series.

Yamagami LPL:  They even managed to recreate the interior so that you can fit a suitcase or golf bag in there. What’s even more amazing is that they also meticulously recreated the interior, and even included a decal (sticker) for the new technology “Honda S+Shift” that will be installed in the new Prelude. (This decal is only about 1mm in size!)

Ishiguro:  I had heard the thoughts and stories of the people who developed the actual car, so I did my best to live up to their enthusiasm (smiles). But the most difficult part was the undercarriage. It was hard because we didn’t have the actual car in the early stages of model development. Also, Tamiya models are molded with parts separated as much as possible so that the painting process is not complicated, but without the actual car, it’s difficult to know the color divisions in detail, so this was also difficult. It was actually my first time to directly communicate with the developers of the actual car each time.

Yamagami LPL:  I really apologize for the hard work, but in a way, my dream has come true, so I’m really happy. Today, the venue was full of children, a sight you don’t see at a car exhibition. There’s nothing more pleasing than seeing the children who will live in the future of Japan.

Ishiguro:  Actually, I drive a Honda S660 in my private life! Honda cars are like a dream, and I can imagine a fun lifestyle. Personally, I’d like to see them work harder on their sports cars (smiles).

Yamagami LPL:  Tamiya’s plastic models are first attractive with their packaging illustrations. Then when you open the box, you get excited seeing all the parts lined up. That excitement and the various stories packed into them will not change even 20 or 30 years after the model is released. If you keep it in the box without assembling it, you can feel the story and experience the emotion for decades to come, like a time capsule. That is a big attraction that is different from our actual cars. I think Tamiya’s boxes are wonderful treasure chests filled with such thoughts.

Ishiguro-san,  wow! I feel like crying!

–The two of them seemed to be as happy as children as they talked passionately about their story. The editorial department felt that behind the surprise of the plastic model being released at the same time as the “New Prelude” was the synergy of the developers’ passion that went beyond the boundaries of the company.

If you see information about Tamiya’s release this fall, we hope you remember this story behind the scenes. Whether you assemble the plastic model right away or keep it in the box, that’s up to you. However, don’t forget that the box is filled with the passion of many development staff members, including Honda’s Yamagami LPL and Tamiya’s Ishiguro-san.

Source in Japanese language: Honda

Noriko Hidaka, Mae-chan, and Dr. Taki appear at Tamiya RC Car 50th Anniversary Event



To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the birth of the Tamiya RC car, the “Tamiya RC Car Grand Prix” recording race was held at the Tamiya Circuit in Shizuoka City on Saturday, April 12, 2025. Popular voice actress Noriko Hidaka, who served as the MC of the popular TV program “Tamiya RC Car Grand Prix,” Yasuyuki Maeda, also known as Mae-chan of Tamiya, and Fumito Taki, a Tamiya employee also known as Dr. Taki, gathered together for the first time in 35 years. RC fans who watched the program at that time participated from all over the country and struggled in the race to aim for the driver interview by Noriko Hidaka, which was also a specialty of the program. The venue was filled with smiles from start to finish, and it was a dream-like day that brought back fun memories of those days.

In addition, the “Tamiya RC Car Grand Prix Special” will be held at the Tamiya Kakegawa Circuit the following day, Sunday, April 13. The guests were Hiromi Kae, a TV personality who loves Mini 4WD and RC cars, and Satoshi Maezumi, a Tamiya employee who has won the Electric Off-Road All Japan Championship and is currently involved in the management of RC car events. Don’t miss this heated battle that unfolded on one of the world’s largest RC circuits.

Tamiya RC Car Grand Prix Special in Tamiya Circuit held on Saturday, April 12th in Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture

Tamiya RC Car Grand Prix Special in Tamiya Kakegawa Circuit held on Sunday, April 13th in Kakegawa, Shizuoka Prefecture

“The industry is on the rise” – Still active at age 90 Tamiya’s Chairman talks about the Shizuoka Hobby Show and the current state of the model industry


On May 14th, the Shizuoka Hobby Show, Japan’s largest model and hobby exhibition, opened at Twin Messe Shizuoka in Suruga Ward, Shizuoka City.

The event ran for five days from May 14th to 18th, and in 2025, the 63rd event, 99 companies and organizations, including 17 model manufacturers from Shizuoka Prefecture, displaying new plastic models and figures. The first and second days are invitation days for businesses, and general visitors are not allowed to enter, but the venue was bustling with buyers and media representatives from Japan and abroad from the very first day of the opening.

Chairman Tamiya
“I may look like this, but I am in good health.”

Every year, in the morning of the first day, a press conference is held by the Shizuoka Model Teaching Materials Cooperative, which is organizing the show, and Chairman Tamiya Shunsaku, who is also the president of Tamiya, answers questions from the media, but this year he made an appearance at the venue again, even though he is now 90 years old.

When asked by the moderator to say a few words at the start of the event, Chairman Tamiya gave a typical greeting to the press, saying, “I’ve hurt my leg a bit, so I’m dressed like this, but I’m still as healthy as ever, so please take care of me,” and the interview began.

Q. What are your impressions of this year’s Hobby Show?
Tamiya Shunsaku, Chairman, Shizuoka Model Teaching Materials Cooperative
“Every year, it gets bigger and bigger. The original in Germany (Nuremberg International Toy Fair) avoids opening it to the public, but people still come to the places that are open to the public. Nothing has changed for us.” Q.

Is the industry as a whole on an upward trend?
(Tamiya Shunsaku, Chairman)
“There’s no need to ask that! It’s on an upward trend.”

Q. What impact will the tariffs imposed by the United States have on the industry?
Chairman Tamiya Shunsaku
“The current situation with plastic models in the United States is that they are simply copying the trends in Japan. So, plastic models are just starting out in Japan. It’s a little different from when you were a child. In our case (Tamiya), we export a lot. We are also working hard for children overseas, but it’s the same now.”

At the 2024 Hobby Show, reporters asked many questions about the historic depreciation of the yen, but this year, questions about the impact of the US tariff policy stood out. However, because the situation is changing and there are many unclear aspects, and each company’s response is very different, Director Daisuke Aoshima (President of Aoshima) explained that it is difficult for the union to express its opinion.

Q. Is there anything you would like to say to visitors?
Chairman Shunsaku Tamiya
“The venue (Twin Messe Shizuoka) has become small. Hobby shows are also being held in the exhibition halls of various manufacturers, so I hope you will come and see them.”

The Shizuoka Hobby Show is held at an exhibition facility called Twin Messe Shizuoka, but the main exhibition halls, the North Hall and South Hall, are already fully used, and we cannot increase the space any more. As a result, the number of exhibitors has not changed significantly over the past few years, and since the COVID-19 outbreak, the number of visitors has been limited to a pre-application system on public days for safety reasons.

Director Katsuhito Hasegawa (President of Hasegawa) said that there are still many manufacturers who want to exhibit at the show, but they are turning them down because there is not enough room, and that he would be grateful if Shizuoka City could somehow make the venue larger.

Tamiya, where Chairman Tamiya serves as chairman, will hold a special tour of its headquarters in Suruga Ward, Shizuoka City, for two days, May 17th and 18th, to coincide with the Hobby Show’s public opening, and will also promote the company’s products at locations other than Twin Messe Shizuoka. The Hobby Show’s public opening has already reached capacity, but as no prior application is required, visitors can enter the venue on the day of the show.

Chairman Tamiya, along with Directors Hasegawa and Aoshima, participated in an interview with the organizers, but at the end, as the president of Tamiya, he answered questions from TV stations about the US tariff policy on his own.

This legend in the model industry, who celebrated his 90th birthday in December 2024, is still going strong.

Original article in Japanese language by Amano Daisuke, source: SBS Shizuoka Broadcasting