Sanrio

Sanrio Co., Ltd. is a Japanese company that makes characters and sells and licenses products with images of characters. The things they make include stationery (pencils, pens writing, paper, etc.), school supplies and gifts. Sanrio's best known character is Hello Kitty, a white cat with red bow and no mouth. Hello Kitty is one of the most successful marketing brands in the world.
Sanrio was started by Shintaro Tsuji as the Yamanashi Silk Company in 1960. In 1973 the company changed its name to "Sanrio." The word Sanrio comes from ""san" (meaning three in Japanese) and "río"" (meaning river in Spanish"). He named the company Sanrio to join the three rivers of the world.
Besides selling their character goods, Sanrio also takes part in movie production and publishing. Sanrio worked together with Sega Toys to make a series of cartoons, toys, and other products called Jewelpet. They make lots of greeting cards.
The company has worked with UNICEF since 1984.
Sanrio also has two theme parks in Japan, Sanrio Puroland in Tama, Tokyo, and Harmonyland in Hiji, Ōita, Kyūshū.