The Tohatsu Corporation of Tokyo, Japan, was founded in 1922. It manufactures and sells outboard motors, pleasure boats, portable fire pumps, small fire trucks, pumps for construction and drainage, refrigeration units for transportation and also does real estate property management in Japan.

The company was originally named Takata Motor Research Institute, and manufactured railcars. Research and development of high-speed, portable engine generators and radio-controlled generators began immediately and were brought to production in 1930. During the 1930s and 40s, Tohatsu consolidated its product line and moved its corporate office to Tokyo. In 1950, production and sales of motorcycles began. 1955 brought aggressive growth to Tohatsu. Capital increased to 150 million yen and production on a new line of engines started. Sales offices were established in Fukuoka, Nagoya, Tokyo, Sendai and Sapporo. Dealers were set up throughout Japan.

Tohatsu Outboards are produced by Tohatsu Corporation. 1956 ushered in the production of the first Tohatsu Outboards (1.5 hp). Since then, Tohatsu outboards have capably served a variety of marketplaces: commercial fishing, military, marine transport, surf life saving, recreation and competition racing. They are the second largest producer of outboards in the world and a leader in innovative design with the environmentally conscious TLDI series of Two-stroke Low pressure Direct Injection, DFI, outboards that meet current EPA regulations for the U.S. Mercury outboards, in the U.S., from 30 hp and below are rebadged Tohatsus. All Nissan outboard engines in North America are Tohatsus with a Nissan decal. In 2011, Tohatsu and Evinrude Outboard Motors made a deal to make smaller engines ranging from 15 HP and down with Evinrude decals. [1]