What Menicon does

Menicon Co., Ltd. is a Japanese contact lens manufacturer headquartered in Nagoya, founded in 1951 by Tanaka Kyōichi, who developed Japan's first corneal contact lens. The publicly traded company (ticker 7780.T on Japanese exchanges) offers a comprehensive ophthalmic portfolio spanning daily disposable (1DAY PremiO, MelsME, DearTEAR, Magic, FRUTTIE, Rei), two-week (2WEEK PremiO, Duo, Rei), monthly (1MONTH MelsME), three-month (Four Seasons, Cross C), conventional soft, hard, toric, multifocal, color cosmetic, and keratoconus-specific lenses, supported by an Epica/O2 Care/Progent line of lens care solutions and the Urumo and Menicon Fit application products. Underlying technology includes the proprietary ZOMA hyper oxygen-permeable material (Dk value 163), the nafi all-aspherical lens design, the SPG-178 self-assembling peptide platform co-developed with Nagoya and Okayama universities (yielding the Varte bone regeneration device, approved in Japan in February 2026), and the Uruhuwa Rich Coat moisture technology. Manufacturing is anchored at Japanese facilities in Seki and Kakamigahara and at a new RM1 billion (~$250 million USD) smart factory at Kulim Hi-Tech Park, Malaysia, which began commercial production on 2026-02-05 with Phase 1 capacity of 500 million silicone hydrogel daily disposable lenses per year (expandable to 2 billion lenses through Phase 4), exporting to Japan, Germany, and the United States.

The business operates multiple revenue streams: one-time contact lens sales and care product sales, the MelsPlan monthly subscription service bundling regular lens delivery with eye exams and fitting, and a Healthcare and Life Science segment covering assisted reproductive medicine, research biochemicals, smoking cessation promotion, agricultural enzymes (Agri Revolution), and veterinary medical products. Distribution is multi-channel—prescription-based via affiliated ophthalmologists and eye clinics, the Miru retail store network, drugstores including Don Quijote, the MelsPlan subscription with home delivery, and global exports through the Malaysian facility. Customer demand-side, Menicon targets general vision correction wearers plus specialty cohorts: astigmatism patients, presbyopia patients, color contact lens cosmetic users, and keratoconus patients. Pricing is not publicly disclosed but follows a prescription-exam-gated model with MelsPlan offering tiered monthly recurring billing.

Menicon is currently scaling aggressively: the 1.5x planned capacity expansion is anchored to the Malaysia facility, and recent product activity includes the April 2026 launch of Urumo for color lens users and the February 2026 regulatory approval of Varte, while partnerships with JA Oigawa (tea cultivation enzymes) and the Japan Football Association extend the company's broader ecosystem positioning. The company is led by President and Representative Executive Officer Tanaka Eisei (a member of the founding family) and operates multiple wholly owned Japanese subsidiaries in contact lens retail and shared services alongside Menicon Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.

Name

Menicon

Legal name

株式会社メニコン

Website

https://menicon.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1951

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Menicon is a Japanese contact lens manufacturer (founded 1951, headquartered in Nagoya, publicly traded on TYO 7780) producing daily disposable, two-week, monthly, and hard contact lenses using proprietary ZOMA material technology, distributed via ophthalmologists, retail stores, drugstores, and a monthly subscription service, with manufacturing in Japan and a new $250M Malaysia facility.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Contact Lenses

NAICS

Ophthalmic Goods Manufacturing (339115), Optical Goods Retailers (45613), Ophthalmic Goods Merchant Wholesalers (423460)

SIC

Ophthalmic Goods (3851)

akta.pro primary industry

Contact Lenses & Care Systems (Soft/RGP/Scleral Lenses; Cleaning/Disinfection Solutions) (HLAHAJAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Contact Lens Specialty & Myopia Control (HLAKAKAK)

Keywords

• Contact lens manufacturing
• Ophthalmic medical devices
• Contact lens care products
• Lens subscription services
• Color cosmetic lenses

Headquarters

HQ city

Nagoya

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Contact Lens Sales: Sales of daily disposable (1-day), 2-week, monthly, and 3-month contact lenses including soft, hard, toric (astigmatism), multifocal (presbyopia), and color contact lenses. Also includes specialized lenses for keratoconus.
2. Merusplan Subscription: Monthly subscription service providing regular contact lens delivery with tiered pricing. The service includes eye exams, lens fitting, and regular lens replacement with monthly billing.
3. Care Products: Sales of lens care solutions including Epica series for soft lenses, O2 Care and Progent for hard lenses, and contact lens application products like Urumo and Menicon Fit.
4. Healthcare and Life Science: Business segment covering assisted reproductive medicine, research biochemical products, smoking cessation promotion, agricultural enzyme products (Agri Revolution), and veterinary medical products.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Menicon manufactures and sells a comprehensive range of contact lenses — including 1-day, 2-week, 1-month, 3-month, conventional soft, and hard lenses — plus toric (astigmatism), multifocal (presbyopia), and color cosmetic variants, along with specialized keratoconus lenses and care solutions. The company also operates the MelsPlan subscription service for recurring lens replacement and sells lens care, application, and accessory products through its Miru retail stores, ophthalmologist network, drugstores, and direct e-commerce channels.

Product overview

Menicon is a comprehensive contact lens manufacturer offering a diverse portfolio organized by replacement schedule: daily disposables (1DAY line including PremiO, MelsME, DearTEAR, Magic, Menicon 1DAY, and color cosmetic lenses FRUTTIE and Rei), two-week lenses (2WEEK PremiO, Duo, Rei), monthly lenses (1MONTH MelsME), three-month hard lenses (Four Seasons, Cross C), and conventional soft lenses (Soft S, Soft 72). The hard lens portfolio includes Menicon Z, Menicon EYeST, Menicon EX, Menifocal Z, Menicon TiNU, and specialty keratoconus lenses (Rose K, Rose K-T). Care products include soft lens solutions (Epica Smartclean, Menisoak, Epica Aquamoa, Epica, Color Con Care) and hard lens solutions (O2 Care Aminosola, Antibacterial O2 Care Milfa, O2 Care, Progent). Application products include Urumo (for colored lenses), Menicon Fit, and 1-Day Moisturizing In. The MelsPlan subscription service provides regular lens delivery and eye care coordination, supported by Club Menicon membership program. The company operates the Miru retail store network and maintains manufacturing facilities in Japan and Malaysia.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Mels Plan (メルスプラン): Monthly subscription service for contact lenses providing regular lens delivery and care services
• 1DAY Menicon Premio
• Menicon Z
• Menicon EX
• Menicon i-EX
• Menifocal Z
• Epica (エピカ)
• O2 Care (O2ケア)
• 1DAY FRUTTIE
• 1DAY Menicon Rei
• Club Menicon
• Miru

Products and services

• 1DAY PremiO (1DAYメニコン プレミオ) Daily disposable silicone hydrogel contact lens with high oxygen permeability, available in standard, toric, and multifocal variants. Designed for single-day use with no cleaning required, for consumers seeking vision correction with daily convenience.
• 1DAY MelsME (1DAYメニコン MelsME) Daily disposable contact lens exclusively available through the MelsPlan subscription service, offered in standard and toric variants. Targeting subscription subscribers seeking daily disposable lens replenishment.
• 1DAY DearTEAR Daily disposable contact lens with tear-like surface technology for enhanced comfort, available in standard and toric variants. For consumers seeking comfort-focused daily disposable lenses.
• Magic (マジック) Daily disposable contact lens with comfort-focused design, available in standard and toric variants. Targets consumers seeking comfortable daily disposable correction.
• Menicon 1DAY (メニコン1DAY) Standard daily disposable contact lens available in toric (for astigmatism) and multifocal (for presbyopia) variants. Targets general daily disposable consumers.
• 1DAY FRUTTIE Daily disposable colored cosmetic contact lens (circle lens) enhancing eye appearance while providing vision correction. Designed for fashion-conscious single-day use.
• 1DAY Rei (1DAYメニコン Rei) Daily disposable colored cosmetic contact lens (circle lens) available in standard and toric variants (Toric is MelsPlan-exclusive). Enhances appearance with vision correction options.
• 2WEEK PremiO (2WEEKメニコン プレミオ) Two-week replacement silicone hydrogel contact lens with high oxygen permeability, available in standard, toric (astigmatism), bifocal, and bifocal toric variants. For consumers wanting biweekly planned replacement.
• 2WEEK Duo (2WEEKメニコン デュオ) Two-week replacement contact lens with comfortable extended wear design. Requires daily cleaning with biweekly replacement, for consumers preferring planned replacement lenses.
• 2WEEK Rei (2WEEKメニコン Rei) Two-week replacement colored cosmetic contact lens (circle lens) available in standard, toric (astigmatism), and multifocal (presbyopia) variants. For consumers wanting colored lenses on a biweekly schedule.
• 1MONTH MelsME (1MONTHメニコン MelsME) Monthly replacement contact lens exclusively available through the MelsPlan subscription service, offered in standard and toric variants. Targets monthly subscription subscribers.
• Four Seasons (フォーシーズンズ) Three-month replacement hard contact lens designed for extended wear with proper care. Available in standard and bifocal (presbyopia) variants; MelsPlan-exclusive and requires daily cleaning with weekly protein treatment.
• Cross C (クロスシー) Three-month replacement hard contact lens with advanced material technology, available in standard and bifocal (presbyopia) variants. For consumers wanting long-cycle hard lens replacement.
• Menicon Soft S (メニコンソフトS) Conventional (yearly) soft contact lens designed for extended wear with appropriate cleaning and disinfection protocols. For long-term soft lens wearers.
• Menicon Soft 72 (メニコンソフト72) Conventional soft contact lens with high water content for comfortable extended wear. Available in standard and toric (for astigmatism) variants.
• Menicon Z (メニコンZ) Premium hard contact lens featuring ZOMA hyper material with Dk value 163 and original 'nafi' aspheric design, achieving center thickness of 0.13mm. Offers up to one week continuous wear and 98% UVA/UVB protection for consumers seeking extended-wear hard lenses.
• Menicon EYeST (メニコンアイスト) Thin-design hard contact lens using ZOMA material with Dk value of 163 (approximately double Menicon EX). Features center thickness of 0.15mm, 98% UVA/UVB blocking, and approved for up to one week continuous wear under ophthalmologist supervision.
• Menicon EX (メニコンEX) Free-fit hard contact lens with flexible wearing schedules (daily wear or continuous wear). Uses fluorine-containing methacrylate and silicone-containing materials with Dk value 64, bevel design for tear exchange. Approval number 15900BZZ00187000.
• Menifocal Z (メニフォーカルZ) Bifocal hard contact lens using ZOMA high-oxygen-permeability material with dual-focus design for clear near and far vision. Features Dk value 163 and up to one week continuous wear. Approval number 21100BZZ00774000.
• Menicon TiNU (メニコンティニュー) Advanced MelsPlan-exclusive hard contact lens designed for enhanced comfort and oxygen transmission. Part of Menicon's hard lens portfolio for patients with specific vision correction needs.
• Menicon Rose K (メニコンローズK) Specialized hard contact lens designed specifically for keratoconus patients. Features custom fitting to address the irregular corneal shape associated with keratoconus.
• Menicon Rose K-T (メニコンローズK-T) Specialized toric hard contact lens for keratoconus patients with astigmatism. Combines keratoconus-specific design with astigmatism correction capabilities.
• MelsPlan (メルスプラン) Monthly subscription service providing regular contact lens delivery, examination scheduling, and comprehensive eye care support. Offers cost savings and convenience through automatic lens replenishment and professional eye care coordination for 1-day, 2-week, and monthly lens wearers.
• Urumo (ウルモ) Contact lens application product specifically designed for colored contact lens users. Uses proprietary Uruhuwa Rich Coat technology to create a moisture veil, addressing dryness (51.9% of color lens users) and eye discomfort (39.7%). Launched April 2026.
• Menicon Fit (メニコンフィット) Contact lens application solution for easier lens insertion. Applied to lens surface before insertion to enhance comfort during wear.
• 1-Day Moisturizing In (ワンデーモイスティン) Moisturizing solution specifically formulated for daily disposable contact lens users, providing comfort and hydration during lens wear.
• Epica Smartclean (エピカ スマートクリーン) Advanced cleaning solution for soft contact lenses featuring automated cleaning technology for enhanced hygiene and convenience.
• Menisoak (メニソーク) Cleaning solution for soft contact lenses with effective protein and lipid removal capabilities.
• Epica Aquamoa (エピカ アクアモア) Multi-purpose solution for soft contact lenses providing cleaning, rinsing, disinfection, and storage in one product.
• Epica (エピカ) Soft contact lens care solution using natural-derived ingredients and purified water sourced from forest environments. Part of Menicon's environmentally-conscious product line.
• Color Con Care (カラコンケア) Specialized cleaning solution formulated specifically for colored cosmetic contact lenses. Addresses unique requirements for maintaining color vibrancy while ensuring lens hygiene.
• O2 Care Aminosola (O2ケアアミノソラ) Amino acid-based cleaning solution for hard contact lenses with enhanced protein removal and lens surface care properties.
• Antibacterial O2 Care Milfa (抗菌O2ケアミルファ) Antibacterial hard contact lens solution combining cleaning and disinfection in one product with enhanced antimicrobial properties.
• O2 Care (O2ケア) Oxygen-enhanced cleaning solution for hard contact lenses supporting lens maintenance and wearer comfort.
• Progent (プロージェント) Weekly protein removal treatment for hard contact lenses. Used in conjunction with daily cleaners to maintain lens clarity and comfort over extended wear periods.
• Four Seasons Care (フォーシーズンズケア) Specialized care solution formulated for Four Seasons three-month hard contact lenses. Completes the product ecosystem for extended-wear lens users.
• Cross C Care (クロスシーケア) Specialized care solution formulated for Cross C three-month hard contact lenses. Completes the product ecosystem for this lens line.
• SP Sponge (SPスポイト) Application aid for hard contact lens handling. Assists with proper lens placement on the eye during insertion.
• Varte (absorbbable bone regeneration material) Absorbable bone regeneration medical device using self-assembling peptide (SPG-178) gel technology developed jointly with Nagoya University and Okayama University. Serves as a scaffold when mixed with autologous bone during surgery to assist bone regeneration. Received Japanese medical device approval February 13, 2026.

Quantifiable outcome

• ZOMA material achieves Dk value of 163 for high oxygen permeability
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Nagoya University and Okayama UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 February 2026Joint research partnership for approximately 10 years developing self-assembling peptide (SPG-178) gel technology for absorbable bone regeneration material 'Varte', which received medical device approval in Japan.
• Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMIDA confirmed the launch of Menicon's $250 million smart factory at Kulim Hi-Tech Park, highlighting technology transfer, high-skilled talent development, and Malaysia's advanced manufacturing capabilities under the New Industrial Master Plan 2030.
• JA Oigawa (JA大井川)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration to produce 'Meru Jusuya no Ocha' (目留寿家のお茶) using Menicon's enzyme technology for environmentally friendly tea cultivation in Shizuoka Prefecture's Kawane region.
• Japan Football Association (公益財団法人日本サッカー協会)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for selecting football field recipients of grass seed donations for disaster recovery support in areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/menicon_melsuke
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCb2UjiN7cJVI8TstmhS2t7A
• Facebookfacebook.com/menicon.co.jp
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/menicon-co-ltd-singapore
• Instagraminstagram.com/menicon_melsuke

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Menicon