Turves
Member
Did all pre 1950s, post war Canons have Made in Ocuppied Japan on the base plate or was it Export Cameras only?
Made in Occupied Japan
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All of the Nikon cameras were stamped Made in Occupied Japan (often abbr MIOJ in text), and I suspect it was for domestic and export alike. I know that my Leotax D-IV was sold in Japan as some of the receipts were with it, and was also Made in Occupied Japan. My Nicca III is also MIOJ, and the export versions were mostly marketed as Tower.
I suspect the Canon's were as well, but do not have a direct reference.
I suspect the Canon's were as well, but do not have a direct reference.
Bill58
Native Texan
I often wonder if the use of the word "occupied" was a jab (a public comment on the obvious dislike) at the American forces being there or whether it was required by the provisional government controlled by the American military authorities? However, it could also be an innocent, but poor translation. Who knows?
CanonRFinder
Well-known
HI, Below is an extract from my book (which is still available for purchase) explaining the MIOJ mark in respect to Canon rangefinder cameras.
Made in Occupied Japan (MIOJ)
The “Made in Occupied Japan” identification mark is better known to most camera collectors as MIOJ. References to this mark appear often in camera literature dealing with the history of post-war Japan.
Aside from the company name and the camera’s serial number, the MIOJ mark was the first post-war foreign mark to appear on early Canon cameras, lenses, and accessories. Early in 1947 the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers (SCAP) issued Decree 1535, stating that all export items must be identified with an engraving “Made in Occupied Japan.”
The first MIOJ-marked base plates appeared on early Canon S-II cameras released after September 9, 1947. The earliest recorded camera with an MIOJ-marked base plate is model S-II #18379. Because base plates are interchangeable, it is difficult to pinpoint on which model S-II camera the MIOJ mark first appeared. The MIOJ mark also appeared on the rear caps of the 35mm f/3.5, 8.5cm-85mm f/2, 10cm-100mm f/4, and 13.5cm-135mm f/4 lenses. Whether the 5cm-50mm f/3.5, 5cm f/2, or 50mm f/1.9 lenses were supplied with a MIOJ-marked rear cap when purchased separately from the camera is difficult to tell.
The MIOJ mark appears on very early camera holders, early hoods, auto-ups, self-timers, Sportsfinders, as well as on camera, lens, and accessory cases. It may well have appeared on B-1 flash outfits as well, but none have been recorded to date. Small tubular chrome viewfinders and flash accessories were never stamped with the MIOJ mark, because they were sold as part of the total outfit. However, I have recorded an MIOJ-marked 85mm viewfinder and a flash/bulb tester. Perhaps the owner lost the original items and had to have them replaced by purchasing new MIOJ-marked items.
When Decree 1535 was rescinded late in 1949, Canon either destroyed MIOJ-marked items or replaced the stamped portions of the items. Not all Canon S-II and early IIB cameras have the MIOJ mark, and it can only be presumed that these cameras were bought from a store other than the Duty Free or US Army PX stores.
The MIOJ mark appears predominately on 1949 model IIB base plates. On December 5, 1949[FONT="][1][/FONT] the SCAP[FONT="][2][/FONT] issued Decree 2061, announcing that Japanese companies were no longer required to place MIOJ marks on their exported items. For some unknown reason it wasn’t until the beginning of 1951 that the mark ceased to appear on Canon items altogether.
The MIOJ mark varied in size over the years, but it can generally be found stamped in one or two lines. At times, the MIOJ mark can be seen accompanied by other markings such as <CPO>, Japanese ideograms, or “Serviced and Guaranteed in San Francisco California,” which will be explained below.
[FONT="][1][/FONT] Library of the US Army Military History Institute at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania
[FONT="][2][/FONT] Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers.
Made in Occupied Japan (MIOJ)
The “Made in Occupied Japan” identification mark is better known to most camera collectors as MIOJ. References to this mark appear often in camera literature dealing with the history of post-war Japan.
Aside from the company name and the camera’s serial number, the MIOJ mark was the first post-war foreign mark to appear on early Canon cameras, lenses, and accessories. Early in 1947 the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers (SCAP) issued Decree 1535, stating that all export items must be identified with an engraving “Made in Occupied Japan.”
The first MIOJ-marked base plates appeared on early Canon S-II cameras released after September 9, 1947. The earliest recorded camera with an MIOJ-marked base plate is model S-II #18379. Because base plates are interchangeable, it is difficult to pinpoint on which model S-II camera the MIOJ mark first appeared. The MIOJ mark also appeared on the rear caps of the 35mm f/3.5, 8.5cm-85mm f/2, 10cm-100mm f/4, and 13.5cm-135mm f/4 lenses. Whether the 5cm-50mm f/3.5, 5cm f/2, or 50mm f/1.9 lenses were supplied with a MIOJ-marked rear cap when purchased separately from the camera is difficult to tell.
The MIOJ mark appears on very early camera holders, early hoods, auto-ups, self-timers, Sportsfinders, as well as on camera, lens, and accessory cases. It may well have appeared on B-1 flash outfits as well, but none have been recorded to date. Small tubular chrome viewfinders and flash accessories were never stamped with the MIOJ mark, because they were sold as part of the total outfit. However, I have recorded an MIOJ-marked 85mm viewfinder and a flash/bulb tester. Perhaps the owner lost the original items and had to have them replaced by purchasing new MIOJ-marked items.
When Decree 1535 was rescinded late in 1949, Canon either destroyed MIOJ-marked items or replaced the stamped portions of the items. Not all Canon S-II and early IIB cameras have the MIOJ mark, and it can only be presumed that these cameras were bought from a store other than the Duty Free or US Army PX stores.
The MIOJ mark appears predominately on 1949 model IIB base plates. On December 5, 1949[FONT="][1][/FONT] the SCAP[FONT="][2][/FONT] issued Decree 2061, announcing that Japanese companies were no longer required to place MIOJ marks on their exported items. For some unknown reason it wasn’t until the beginning of 1951 that the mark ceased to appear on Canon items altogether.
The MIOJ mark varied in size over the years, but it can generally be found stamped in one or two lines. At times, the MIOJ mark can be seen accompanied by other markings such as <CPO>, Japanese ideograms, or “Serviced and Guaranteed in San Francisco California,” which will be explained below.
[FONT="][1][/FONT] Library of the US Army Military History Institute at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania
[FONT="][2][/FONT] Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers.
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Bill58
Native Texan
Thanks for clearing up the mystery (in my mind anyway).
Very interesting, and explains the uniform markings across brands.
I have some German equipment marked made in "US Zone" and similar phrases. BUT: my 1946 Kodak Retina II and 1947 Leica IIIc (converted to IIIF) are marked "Germany".
I have some German equipment marked made in "US Zone" and similar phrases. BUT: my 1946 Kodak Retina II and 1947 Leica IIIc (converted to IIIF) are marked "Germany".
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Also, see this thread over at the NHS website (link below).
http://nikonhistoricalsociety.yuku.com/topic/424/t/MIOJ-engravings-from-1947-till-1949-1952.html
http://nikonhistoricalsociety.yuku.com/topic/424/t/MIOJ-engravings-from-1947-till-1949-1952.html
