Kato Precision Railroad Models (関水金属株式会社) is a Japanese manufacturer of model railroad equipment in N and HO scales. Founded in 1957,[1] the Tokyo-based company manufactures models based on Japanese prototypes (such as the Shinkansen bullet train and Cape gauge trains and locomotives) for the Japanese market, North American prototypes for the North American market and European high-speed trains and Rhaetian Railway trains for the European market. Models for the OO9 market of Ffestiniog Railway engines are also made. The design and distribution of models for the North American market are handled by their U.S. subsidiary, Kato USA, founded in 1986[1] and located in Schaumburg, Illinois.
The Kato (pronounced kah-toe) model railroad companies were founded by Yuji Kato, father of current president Hiroshi Kato, of the parent company Sekisui Kinzoku Co., Ltd.
Yuji Kato, the founder of Sekisui Kinzoku Co., Ltd., died on November 21, 2016.[2]