Soon after Von Laue's experiment of X-ray diffraction in 1912, a similar experiment was conducted in Japan by Prof. Terada at University of Tokyo. He made direct observation of Laue spots from rock-sault on a fluorescent screen. In 1914, Prof. Nishikawa also at University of Tokyo photographed Laue spots of spinel. The X-ray generator employed was one designed for medical use. The first X-ray diffractometer in Japan was fabricated in the 1920s at the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research, It was designed with reference to Bragg's spectrometer using an ionization chamber as the X-ray detector.

In 1932, X-ray generators and cameras were manufactured by Rigaku Denki Mfg., the predecessor of the present Rigaku Corporation, Shimazu Mfg. and some other few companies. X-ray tubes at the time were Coolidge type demountable tubes.