Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Who is Kokusai?
• Does Kokusai keep inventory outside Japan?
• Is Kokusai ISO 9001 approved?
• Is Kokusai ISO 14001 approved?
• What is Kokusai accuracy?
• Chart Paper Max/Min Average Error
• Do customers need to re-calibrate their recorders each time they change chart paper?
• What is Kokusai’s extended chart life packaging method?
• What is a certification lot tracking number?
• Can Kokusai charts be used for billing or accounting purposes?
• What applications can Kokusai’s accurate charts be used for?
• What percentage of my inventory should be Kokusai accurate charts?
• Why does Kokusai print its charts with water-based ink instead of oil-based ink like most other suppliers?
• What about feeding, folding, or jamming problems with Kokusai chart paper?
• What if my application requires sharp, high-resolution printing?
• I currently have problems with ink pens plugging!
• Are the charts designed for recorders mounted in high-humidity areas?
• Do you provide special chart ranges or designs?
• Does Kokusai offer low order minimums?
• Does Kokusai charge a premium for its accurate charts?
• Does Kokusai offer low cost conventional chart paper?
• Does Kokusai private label chart paper for other recorder manufacturers?
• Does Kokusai supply the same high-quality chart paper to the OEMs for private labeling?
• What brands of recorders does Kokusai supply chart paper for?

Kokusai was established in 1962 and is the largest supplier of chart paper in Japan with over 50% of the market. Kokusai’s headquarters and factory are located in Saitama province, next to Metropolitan Tokyo, and currently employs approx. 153 employees. Kokusai is a group member of Toshiba Tec Corp. of Japan.

NO. We ship all products from Japan.

Yes. Kokusai Chart is ISO 9001 certified since 1997.

Yes. Kokusai is also pleased to have the ISO 14001 environmentally friendly approval, which is becoming more and more important to customers these days.

A random sampling of conventional “non-Kokusai” circular charts from another supplier revealed significant deviations from published specifications and, more important, significant accuracy variations from chart to chart. The graph below depicts two brands of charts, a Kokusai circular chart and two samples of other major supplier chart. The charts were checked for their average accuracy. The Kokusai charts were far superior in their max/min error deviation.

The consistent (from chart to chart) accuracy of Kokusai charts allow users to replace the original Kokusai chart with another Kokusai chart without any re-calibration of the recorder. Once the instrument people calibrate the recorder with a Kokusai chart, no re-calibration is required each time the chart is changed, as new charts are virtually a “true clone” of the previous Kokusai chart and thus recorder accuracy is maintained.

If the customer should switch to another brand of conventional chart paper from the Kokusai chart paper, accuracy may vary from chart to chart. The accuracy of the user’s recorder will then suffer directly proportionately to the conventional chart’s error each time a new chart is put on the recorder (see graph above). It is recommended that the recorder be re-calibrated each time the chart paper is changed (when using non-certified chart paper) when highest recorder accuracy is required.
Kokusai’s charts (circular, fan fold, strip, etc.) are meticulously manufactured to rigid specifications and go through a special inspection process to ensure consistent, repeatable accuracy from chart to chart. Accordingly, you can be assured that your recorders will maintain virtually the original calibration accuracy* each and every time a new Kokusai chart is put on the recorder. * Assuming no other calibration factors of the recorder change.

Kokusai’s charts are individually boxed and shrink-wrapped to extend their shelf life and give customers a “factory fresh” chart the day they open the box. Customers can now purchase chart paper in larger quantities at a lower price and not be concerned about the chart paper degrading by the time they use it. The sealing and boxing process of the chart greatly reduces exposure to oxidation and UV, thus extending the chart life.

The chart paper’s life is also protected after it is used when it is properly put back in the box supplied by Kokusai. Other suppliers of chart paper may simply put a large quantity of charts in a large shipping box without being sealed or individually boxed, thus greatly reducing the shelf life. The box for the Kokusai chart can be labeled with process data for future reference after the chart is put back in the box.

Each Kokusai chart paper has a "lot tracking number" to ensure uniformity and quality to Kokusai Chart specifications. The lot tracking number plays an important part in the chart paper being delivered to customer with Kokusai specifications. Everything from base paper characteristics to finishing specifications and final shipment data is recorded and filed using the lot tracking number. Look for the Kokusai lot tracking number on every Kokusai chart you buy.

Kokusai’s charts are ideal for applications that use the chart recording as a payment media. Having the highest accuracy can mean a large amount of money being saved or spent unnecessarily compared to using conventional charts.

• When an accurate historical record of the process is required.
• When the application demands an accurate, reliable record, such as for the EPA or legal purposes.
• For both high accuracy and standard accuracy applications.
• For the oil and gas industry on a “custody transfer” meter.

No need to inventory both Kokusai charts and conventional charts, as Kokusai’s competitive pricing means users only need to stock Kokusai’s accurate charts which will work in both highly demanding and standard accuracy applications.

Charts printed with oil-based inks never dry (try rubbing your current chart on a white piece of paper). Kokusai chart grids are printed using water-soluble resins instead of oil-based ink to prevent blurring with water-based ink pens when the ink lines cross. (The ink is always dry on a Kokusai chart; try rubbing it on a piece of white paper and see the difference). Kokusai understands that oil and water do not mix on the chart paper. Since the oil in oil-based charts never really completely dries, blurring can occur when the water-based ink pen draws on the oil-inked portion of the chart, thus a blurring or smudging can occur making the scribe more difficult to read accurately. Since all brands of ink cartridges are supplied with water-based ink, it only makes sense to supply the chart with a water-based printing for the best recording possible, even though it is a more costly printing process.

Kokusai’s anti-shrink and single-hole cut design significantly reduces feeding, folding, and jamming problems.

Kokusai charts are manufactured with special paper carefully selected. It has a smooth finish to reduce blotting and its fiber pulp alignment is checked before use. Less blotting creates a chart with sharper ink pen lines (especially important on multiple pen recorders).

Kokusai’s lower lint (particulate) finish significantly reduces plugging of ink pens.

Yes, Kokusai’s special chart paper design provides optimum recording results in high-humidity environments. If you require the performance at the extreme conditions, please contact us for support.

Yes, newly designed accurate charts are available in less than 40 days.

Yes, other suppliers may require large purchase quantities for a single purchase order. We already know what can happen when unsealed chart paper is kept on the shelf for long periods of time, so we accept low order minimum quantities.

In some cases, yes. However, many customers say the Kokusai accurate charts are not costing them that much more than what they are currently paying for conventional charts. Kokusai charts may not be the least expensive, but considering the entire cost for a recovery from jamming and unrecoverable time and losses of errors, some extra to ensure the accuracy will be well reasoned.

No, Kokusai Chart only manufactures top quality accurate chart paper. However, many customers have learned that Kokusai charts are very competitively price to conventional chart paper and therefore use it for all their applications. If the customer does find a need for a high-accuracy recording in the future, they will already have the proper chart paper in stock and will not need to stock two types of paper.
Remember, once data is lost due to poor quality charts, it can never be recovered. What does that cost your company?

Yes, many recorder manufactures demand the highest-quality chart paper on their recorders to maintain accuracy and reduce chart paper jamming problems therefore they pick Kokusai accurate chart paper as their standard chart paper. Current manufacturers that private label Kokusai charts include Yokogawa, (Due to contractual obligations, we cannot release the names of the other manufacturers). It is only when the customer changes to a low-cost chart paper that these recorders accuracy can suffer.

Yes, Kokusai manufactures only high-accuracy chart paper. Kokusai does not make conventional commodity-type chart paper. We have learned that making a poor-quality chart cost more in the long run!

Here is a partial listing of manufacturers that Kokusai makes chart paper for: Yokogawa, Hitachi, Chino, Hewlett-Packard, Ohkura, DKK TOA, Fuji Electronic, Shimazu, Rikadenki Kogyo, Iwatsu, Yamatake Honeywell, Mitsubishi, Toshiba, Taylor, Sekonic, Riken, RKC (Rika Kogyo), Ohta, Beckman, Perkin Elmer, Phillips, Kenwood, Leeds & Northrup, Cal-Comp, Foxboro, Texas Instruments, Westronics, Instron, Ogasawara Keiki, Jasco, TSK (Tokyo Seimitsu), Panasonic (Matsushita Communication Industrial), Hioki, Yokogawa Denshikiki, ABB, NEC Sanei Instruments, Kosaka Laboratory, Ikeda Keiki, Chessell, Kajo, Graphtec, General Electric, Kyowa Shoko, Yokogawa, Koshin Denki Kogyo, Rion, and others.