Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.

In 1590, Soga Rieemon (second generation of Sumitomo, father of Sumitomo Tomoie) opened a copper smelting shop in Kyoto, later developing Nanban smelting techniques. The diagram of Nanban smelting (Kodo Copper Record) was provided by the Sumitomo Historical Museum. This technique, which separated silver from crude copper to produce high-purity refined copper and also collected silver, was learned from foreigners and shared with peers. It was a groundbreaking technology in the history of mining, and Soga Rieemon became the founder of Japan's copper refining industry.

Rieemon Soga (second generation of Sumitomo, father of Sumitomo Tomoie) opened a copper blowing shop in Kyoto.

Around 1630, Sumitomo Masatomo, the first generation of the Sumitomo family, opened a pharmacy and bookstore called Fujiya in Kyoto, which laid the foundation for the current Sumitomo business spirit.

First generation of the Sumitomo family, Masatomo Sumitomo, opened a pharmacy and publishing/book sales business called Fujiya in Kyoto.

In 1681, Sumitomo Tomonobu, the third generation, began mining at Yoshioka Copper Mine in Bitchu. The management of Yoshioka Copper Mine in Okayama Prefecture was initiated before the Besshi Copper Mine. Today, Sumitomo Electric Sintered Alloys Co., Ltd. operates one of the world's largest sintered parts factories at this site.

Third generation of the Sumitomo family, Tomonobu Sumitomo, began mining at Yoshioka Copper Mine in Bitchu.

In 1690, the Besshi Copper Mine was discovered.

Discovery of Besshi Copper Mine.

In 1691, the Besshi Copper Mine was opened. The mine's manager received information about mineral veins from across the sea in Niihama City, Ehime Prefecture, leading to the discovery and opening of the Besshi Copper Mine, one of the world's largest.

Start of Besshi Copper Mine operation.

In 1895, Japan Copper Co., Ltd. was established.

Establishment of Nippon Copper Co., Ltd.

Since its founding in 1897, Sumitomo Electric has continued to challenge innovation to realize a rich and dream-filled future. At that time, all high-end products such as cables were imported. Concerned about this situation, the company decided to develop its wire business for the nation. Starting with the manufacture of copper wires and silicon copper wires, it succeeded in producing Japan's first high-voltage underground transmission cables and in manufacturing and laying the world's longest submarine cables, playing a role in supporting Japan's industrial development.

In 1897, the Sumitomo family acquired Japan Copper Co., Ltd.

Founded in 1897: Sumitomo Copper Works established in Yodogawa, Osaka City: Photo provided by Sumitomo Historical Museum: Photo provided by Sumitomo Historical Museum: Sumitomo Copper Works: Acquired a factory of Nippon Copper Co., Ltd. in Fukushima Ward, Osaka City, and established Sumitomo Copper Works. Subsequently, the headquarters was set up on the south side of the factory in Osaka City Kita Ward. Currently, the site of Sumitomo Copper Works is occupied by the Central Wholesale Market in Noda, Fukushima Ward, Osaka City.

Sumitomo Electric has been challenging innovation since its founding in 1897 to realize a prosperous and dream-filled future.

Acquisition of Nippon Copper Co., Ltd. by the Sumitomo family.

Established at Sumitomo Copper Refinery in Yodogawa, Kita-ku, Osaka City

The establishment of Sumitomo Electric Wire Manufacturing Plant responded to the development of the electric power industry and successfully commercialized lead-covered paper insulated cables for electric power.

Sumitomo Copper Works was born, becoming the predecessor of Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.

Although the war ended, factories were in a dire state after repeated air raids. President Beki at the time told employees, after praising their efforts, 'To rebuild Japan as a cultural nation, our products are essential, so regardless of how the company changes, we must produce products and fulfill our mission. We must focus solely on production.' Besides electrical wires, they also produced daily necessities such as rubber boots, electric heaters, wire mesh, and farming tools like hoes using available materials.

After the end of the war, the factory was in a dire state due to air raids, but employees continued production, manufacturing electric wires, daily necessities, and agricultural tools.

Typhoon Jane was a large typhoon that struck Osaka in September 1950, causing 336 deaths, 500,000 victims, and 15,000 collapsed houses mainly in the Kansai region. Our Osaka factory was flooded by a storm surge, submerging the aluminum overhead transmission lines for India that were awaiting shipment. The damage was minor enough to be washed away, but a directive was issued to reproduce all units. This reflects our company's traditional spirit of 'providing quality products and valuing trust'.

The Jane Typhoon flooded the West Factory of Osaka Works with a storm surge, submerging aluminum overhead power lines bound for India, but a directive was issued to reproduce all products to supply quality goods.

The domestically successful oil temper wire was introduced.

Development of Dividark-type concrete sleepers adopted for the Tokaido Shinkansen began.

The full-scale delivery of Dividark-type sleepers adopted for the Tokaido Shinkansen commenced, and research on air springs also began.

Development and adoption of Sincom satellite parabola antennas.

At Expo Osaka, moving walkways, power cables, and traffic control systems played active roles, and experiments with bus location systems also began.

Establishment of the first overseas manufacturing company (Thailand).

An experimental plan was decided in 1971, and from June 1972, the design and production of the experimental system began, with functional tests conducted from August 1973 to January 1974.

Design and production of the experimental system started in June 1972.

Functional tests were conducted from August 1973 to January 1974.

Functional tests were conducted in January 1974.

Completion of the world's largest Tokyo Traffic Control Center and start of manufacturing optical fiber cables.

Sumitomo Electric Copper Rolling Works founded in 1987. It originated from Sumitomo Electric's predecessor, Sumitomo Electric Wire Manufacturing, and the Sumitomo Copper Works. This year marked a reaction to the recession caused by the boom in entrepreneurship after the First Sino-Japanese War (Meiji 27-28). The establishment of Sumitomo Copper Works was triggered when the Sumitomo family acquired Japan Copper Co., Ltd., which was struggling financially, in March of the same year.