| 1589 |
In 1590, Soga Rieemon (second generation of Sumitomo and father of Sumitomo Tomoie) opened a copper smelting shop in Kyoto, later developing Nanban smelting techniques. The diagram of Nanban smelting (Kodo Illustration Collection) was provided by Sumitomo Historical Museum. This technique allowed the separation of silver from raw copper, producing high-purity refined copper and collecting silver. It was learned from foreigners and made public to peers, becoming a groundbreaking technology in Japan's copper refining industry, with Soga Rieemon recognized as the founder. |
| 1589 |
Ryoemon Soga (second generation of Sumitomo, father of Tomoie Sumitomo) opened a copper blowing shop in Kyoto. |
| 1629 |
Around 1630, Sumitomo Masatomo, the first generation of the Sumitomo family, opened a pharmacy and bookshop called Fujiya in Kyoto, which laid the foundation for the company's business philosophy. This was documented in a manuscript called 'Munjin-in Yuishi'. |
| 1629 |
The first generation of the Sumitomo family, Masatomo Sumitomo, opened a pharmacy and publishing/book sales shop called Fujiya in Kyoto. |
| 1680 |
In 1681, Sumitomo Miyazato, the third generation, began mining at Yoshioka Copper Mine in Bitchu Province. The management of Yoshioka Copper Mine in Okayama Prefecture is still operated by Sumitomo Electric's sintered alloy division, which is one of the world's largest sintered component factories. |
| 1680 |
Third generation of the Sumitomo family, Tomonobu Sumitomo, began mining at Yoshioka Copper Mine in Bitchu. |
| 1689 |
In 1690, the Besshi Copper Mine was discovered. |
| 1689 |
Discovery of Besshi Copper Mine. |
| 1690 |
In 1691, the Besshi Copper Mine was opened. The mine's manager received information about mineral deposits across the river in Niihama City, Ehime Prefecture, leading to the discovery and opening of the Besshi Copper Mine, one of the world's largest. |
| 1690 |
Start of Besshi Copper Mine operation. |
| 1895 |
In 1895, Japan Copper Company was established. |
| 1895 |
Establishment of Nippon Metal Copper Co., Ltd. |
| 1897 |
Since its founding in 1897, Sumitomo Electric has continued to challenge innovation to realize a prosperous 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 the 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 laying the world's longest submarine cables, playing a role in supporting Japan's industrial development. |
| 1897 |
In 1897, the Sumitomo family acquired Japan Copper Company. |
| 1897 |
In 1897: <Founded> Sumitomo Copper Works established in Anjigawa, Kita Ward, Osaka City: Photo provided by Sumitomo Historical Museum: Photo provided by Sumitomo Historical Museum: Sumitomo Copper Works: Acquired a factory of Nippon Metal 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 Kita Ward, Osaka City. Currently, the site of Sumitomo Copper Works is occupied by the Central Wholesale Market in Noda, Fukushima Ward, Osaka City. |
| 1897 |
Sumitomo Electric has been challenging innovation since its founding in 1897, continuously striving for a prosperous and dream-filled future. |
| 1897 |
Acquisition of Nippon Metal Copper Co., Ltd. by the Sumitomo family. |
| 1897 |
Osaka City Kita-ku Anjigawa Sumitomo Copper Refinery Established |
| 1911 |
With the establishment of Sumitomo Electric Wire Manufacturing Plant, responded to the development of the electric power industry, and succeeded in practical application of lead-covered paper cables for electricity. |
| 1911-03 |
Sumitomo Copper Works was born, becoming the predecessor of Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. |
| 1945 |
Although the war ended, factories were in a dire state due to multiple air raids. President Bekiya at the time encouraged employees to continue producing products regardless of changes in corporate structure, emphasizing the importance of fulfilling their mission through production. In addition to electrical wires, they produced daily necessities such as rubber boots, electric heaters, wire mesh, and farming tools like hoes using available materials. |
| 1945 |
After the end of the war, although the factory was in a devastated state due to air raids, employees continued production, manufacturing electrical wires, daily necessities, and farm tools. |
| 1950-09 |
Typhoon Jane struck Osaka in September 1950, causing 336 deaths, 500,000 affected people, and 15,000 destroyed houses mainly in the Kansai region. The company's Osaka manufacturing plant's West Factory was flooded by a storm surge, submerging aluminum overhead transmission lines bound for India. The damage was minor and could be fixed by washing, but a complete re-manufacture was ordered, reflecting the company's tradition of prioritizing quality and trust. |
| 1950-09 |
The western factory of Osaka Manufacturing Plant was flooded by high tide caused by Jane Typhoon, and aluminum overhead power lines for India were submerged, but instructions were given to reproduce all products to supply quality goods. |
| 1954 |
The domestically developed oil temper wire was introduced. |
| 1961 |
Development of Dividark-type concrete sleepers adopted for the Tokaido Shinkansen began. |
| 1962 |
Delivery of Dividark-type sleepers adopted for the Tokaido Shinkansen became full-scale, and research on air springs also commenced. |
| 1964 |
Development and adoption of Shinkom satellite parabola antennas. |
| 1970 |
At Expo Osaka, moving walkways, power cables, and traffic control systems played active roles, and experiments with bus location systems also began. |
| 1970 |
Established the first overseas manufacturing company (Thailand). |
| 1971 |
An experimental plan was decided in 1971, and from June 1972, the design and production of the experimental system began. Various functions were tested from August 1973 to January 1974. |
| 1972-06 |
Design and production of the experimental system started in June 1972. |
| 1973-08 |
Various functions were tested from August 1973 to January 1974. |
| 1974-01 |
Various functions were tested throughout January 1974. |
| 1974 |
The world's largest Tokyo Traffic Control Center was completed, and manufacturing of optical fiber cables also started. |
| 1987 |
Sumitomo Electric Copper Rolling Works was established in 1987. It originated from Sumitomo Electric's predecessor, Sumitomo Electric Wire Manufacturing Plant, which was founded by Sumitomo Shindojo. The year was marked by a recession following the anti-entrepreneurship boom after the First Sino-Japanese War, and Sumitomo Shindojo's establishment was triggered by the acquisition of Japan Copper Corporation, which was struggling financially, by the Sumitomo family in March of that year. |
