Sumitomo Corporation

A map of Besshi Copper Mine created in 1890 (Meiji 23).

Kōsuke Hirose, the manager of Besshi Copper Mine, successfully increased production dramatically through management reforms aimed at modernization, such as introducing Western-style technology.

In 1919, Osaka Kitakō Co., Ltd. was established with Sumitomo Headquarters as the core, later renamed Sumitomo Land Construction Co., Ltd.

Osaka Kitakō Co., Ltd., the root of Sumitomo Shoji, was established.

The roots of Sumitomo Corporation trace back to Osaka Kitakō Co., Ltd., established in December 1919. It engaged in land reclamation in the Osaka Kitakō area and development of adjacent regions, operating in real estate management.

Established Osaka Kitakō Corporation. Developed the Osaka Kitakō area and adjacent regions, and engaged in real estate management.

Sumitomo Corporation was originally founded as The Osaka North Harbour Company Limited in December 1919.

In 1944, it merged with Sumitomo Building Co., Ltd. and was renamed Sumitomo Land Construction Co., Ltd.

Merged with Sumitomo Building Co., Ltd. and renamed to Sumitomo Land Engineering Co., Ltd.

In 1944, the company merged with The Sumitomo Building Co., Ltd. and was renamed Sumitomo Real Estate Building Co., Ltd.

In November 1945, it was renamed Japan Construction Industry Co., Ltd., and ventured into the trading sector, handling products from various major manufacturers in each industry, including those of the Sumitomo Group.

The company officially changed its name to Japan Construction Industry Co., Ltd. and decided to enter the trading division.

Renamed to Nihon Construction Industry Co., Ltd., and expanded into the trading division, undertaking the handling of products from the Sumitomo Group companies previously associated, as well as major manufacturers in various industries.

In November 1945, the company was renamed Nippon Engineering Co., Ltd. and advanced into the trading business, handling products from Japan's major manufacturers as well as products manufactured by its own group companies.

The company established a head office sales department and began trading activities with only 32 employees.

In 1949, it listed shares on the Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya stock exchanges.

Listed shares on the stock exchanges in Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya.

In 1949, the company listed its shares for public trading on the Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya stock exchanges.

In 1950, it dispatched its first overseas representative to Bombay (now Mumbai).

In 1950, the company dispatched its first overseas representative to Bombay (now Mumbai).

The company dispatched its first overseas representative to Bombay (now Mumbai).

Sent the first overseas representative to Bombay (now Mumbai).

In 1952, it established a U.S. subsidiary in New York, laying the groundwork for overseas expansion.

In 1952, it was renamed Sumitomo Corporation.

In 1952, the company established a U.S. subsidiary in New York.

In 1952, the company changed its name to Sumitomo Shoji Co., Ltd.

The company established a U.S. subsidiary in New York and changed its name to Sumitomo Shoji Co., Ltd.

Established a U.S. corporation in New York.

Renamed to Sumitomo Shoji Co., Ltd.

In 1955, the company listed its shares on the Fukuoka Stock Exchange.

Listed shares on the Fukuoka Stock Exchange.

Expanded business areas, promoted large projects, resource development, and initiatives in new industrial sectors, and established a comprehensive trading company structure.

Integrated the Osaka and Tokyo sales divisions into a product headquarters system, establishing nine headquarters for steel, non-ferrous metals, electrical equipment, machinery, agriculture and fisheries, chemical products, textiles, materials and fuels, and real estate.

Established a project team to promote medium- to long-term initiatives beyond the headquarters, advancing large projects, resource development, and new industrial sectors.

In 1970, the new Sumitomo Shoji Building was completed in Takehashi, establishing a dual-headquarters system with Osaka and Tokyo. That same year, the company merged with Sōgo Trading Co., Ltd.

Completed the new Sumitomo Shoji Building in Takehashi, establishing a dual-headquarters system with Osaka and Tokyo.

Merged with Sōgo Trading Co., Ltd.

In 1977, the company adopted the slogan 'Big Three & Best One', aiming to rank first in comprehensive evaluation based on management analysis data and to lead in social evaluation.

Adopted the slogan 'Big Three & Best One', aiming to rank top in comprehensive evaluation based on management analysis data and to lead in social evaluation.

In 1978, the English company name SUMITOMO SHOJI KAISHA, LTD. was changed to SUMITOMO CORPORATION.

Renamed the English company name SUMITOMO SHOJI KAISHA, LTD. to SUMITOMO CORPORATION.

In 1979, the company introduced a business division system, establishing four divisions—steel, electromechanical, non-ferrous fuel, and consumer goods—to promote decentralization. It also celebrated its 60th anniversary by adopting the new slogan 'OPEN EYES ON ALL' (Open your eyes to everything) and promoted initiatives such as strengthening overseas activities and exploring new fields.

Introduced a sales division system, establishing four sales divisions for steel, electromechanical, non-ferrous fuel, and consumer goods, promoting decentralization. Also, to commemorate the 60th anniversary, adopted 'OPEN EYES ON ALL' as a new slogan, and promoted measures such as strengthening overseas activities and exploring new fields.

Launched the 'Comprehensive Business Company Concept', aiming to build a two-pronged revenue structure by adding business activities to traditional trading activities. Also adopted the new slogan Seeing Tomorrow, Innovating Today.

In the 1989 fiscal year, announced both standalone and consolidated financial results.

Developed the mid-term business plan 'Strategy 95' toward realizing the comprehensive business company concept.

Promoted a new revenue structure responsive to globalization under the keyword Global Mind, Global Reach.

Learning from the discovered copper bullion fraud incident, we established an internal management system to prevent recurrence.

We established a new corporate philosophy and conduct guidelines, and introduced a new management metric, 'Risk–Return'.

Implemented the 'Reform Package'.

Relocated headquarters to Harumi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo.

Established the 'Sumitomo Corporation Corporate Governance Principles'.

In 2013, the company launched a global-wide management system to strengthen its profitability on a global basis.

To strengthen profitability on a global basis, we launched an overseas wide-area management system.

In 2017, the company identified six materialities (key issues) for sustainable growth alongside society, aiming to reconcile its growth with solving social challenges.

In order to reconcile the company's growth with solving social issues, we identified six materialities (key issues) for sustainable growth alongside society.

In 2018, the company moved its headquarters to Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku.

To pursue work style reforms for further growth, we relocated headquarters to Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku.

In 2019, the company formulated the corporate message 'Enriching lives and the world' and celebrated its 100th anniversary.

We formulated the corporate message 'Enriching lives and the world' and celebrated our 100th anniversary.

As part of advancing sustainability management, we set six 'key social issues' closely related to the company and their associated long-term goals.

Announced the mid-term management plan 'SHIFT 2023' and carried out structural reforms.

Reorganized the traditional sales divisions into strategic business units (SBUs) by strategy, establishing nine sales groups. To achieve growth through solving social issues, we integrated the previous 'key social issues' into 'materialities'.

Announced the mid-term management plan 2026 with the theme 'No.1 Business Group – Sharpening competitive advantage and achieving growth through solving social issues'.