In 1910 (Meiji 43), the predecessor of Nichimou, the Takatsu Shoten Fisheries Department, was founded in Shimonoseki. Immediately after its establishment, it began building trawlers and soon operated with two trawlers, the Shintoku Maru and the Shinkou Maru, among others. Led by Jinja Hayashi and Chiyoma Iwamoto, who had learned trawling techniques in Britain, they established a net-making factory in Nishi-Saio Town. The nets dyed and manufactured by the Takatsu Shoten Fisheries Department were the first "Manila nets" in Japan, made from Manila hemp.
In Shimonoseki City, Jinba Hayashida and Chiyoma Iwamoto, who studied the troll fishing method in the UK, founded the Takatsu Shoten Fisheries Division, which became the foundation of Nichimou. Later it was separated and became independent as the fishing net division.
In Meiji 43 (1910), the predecessor of Nichimou, 'Takatsu Shōten Fisheries Department', was founded in Shimonoseki.
On August 17, 1919 (Taisho 8), the company was reorganized into a corporation, and Takatsu Shokai Co., Ltd. was established.
On August 17, it was reorganized into a corporation, and in June 1920 it changed its name to Nihon Gyoma Sengu Co., Ltd. The supply of fishing gear also began in earnest.
In 1920 (Taisho 9), the company leased land in Kami-Shinchi Town, Shimonoseki, and after land reclamation and leveling, built a yarn-spinning factory, a net-making workshop, and warehouses. It also expanded into the North Sea, establishing a base in Hakodate, supplying materials to crab processing vessels and selling fishing nets.
In June 1920, it changed its name to Nihon Gyoma Sengu Co., Ltd.
On June 19 of the following year, under the goal of becoming Japan's leading fishing net company, the company renamed itself to Nihon Gyomae Ship Equipment Co., Ltd.
On June 19 of the following year, it renamed itself 'Nippon Fishing Net Ship Equipment Co., Ltd.' with the goal of becoming Japan's number one fishing net company.
In 1922 (Taisho 11), the company began handling lubricating oil for trawlers, which later evolved into its petroleum business.
In Taisho 11 (1922), it began handling lubricating oil for trawlers, which later evolved into the oil business.
At the end of Showa 15 (1940), a prototype of aircraft camouflage net was successful, and orders for military camouflage nets followed.
In 1941 (Showa 16), the Pacific War broke out, forcing the company to shut down several divisions. However, in 1940 (Showa 15), it successfully prototyped aircraft camouflage nets. As the war intensified, orders for military camouflage nets increased, helping the company survive the conflict.
In Showa 16 (1941), the Pacific War broke out, leading to the abolition of several divisions and severely limiting operations.
In 1952 (Showa 27), with the resumption of North Sea fisheries, production of salmon and crab nets increased. The advent of synthetic fibers led to the use of nylon, tetron, and polyethylene in fishing nets, which were recognized for their excellence.
In Showa 27 (1952), with the resumption of North Sea fishing, the factory became extremely busy producing salmon and crab nets.
In the 1950s, the fisheries industry diversified into food packaging materials, food processing machinery, and the food sector.
In 1960 (Showa 35), the Materials Division, established within the Ship Equipment Department, entered the food packaging materials sector. It began commercializing water-resistant cardboard and selling PVC film for building materials, expanding its business areas.
In Showa 35 (1960), the materials business was born. The Materials Division, which started in the ship equipment department, entered the food packaging field.
In 1961 (Showa 36), the company secured orders for equipment machinery for its integrated food factory, responding to the expanding processed food market. It also began selling seafood processing machinery.
Supplied food processing machinery and materials to a major seafood company's processing plant. This became the catalyst for launching the machinery and materials business.
In Showa 36 (1961), the machinery business was born. It received orders for equipment machinery for the integrated food factory.
Listed on the Second Section (Textiles) of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
In May 1962 (Showa 37), the company listed on the Second Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. In 1967 (Showa 42), it was promoted to the First Section, earning top-tier domestic credibility.
Starting in 1967 (Showa 42), the company began selling frozen surimi. The surimi of skate was valued as a raw material for kamaboko and chikuwari, contributing to labor savings.
Designated on the First Section (Commercial) of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
Based on new technology and mass production system, we began full-scale sales of frozen surimi. The food business expanded.
In Showa 42 (1967), it began selling frozen surimi.
In April 1967, its shares were upgraded to the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
In 1971 (Showa 46), the company's petroleum business was launched as KIGNAS Petroleum Co., Ltd., jointly invested with Tōa Fuel Industry.
In Showa 46 (1971), the oil business started as 'KIGNAS Oil Co., Ltd.' with joint investment from Tōa Fuel Industry.
Separated the oil division, jointly invested with Toho Co., Ltd. (at the time), and established KIGNAS Oil Co., Ltd. It was renamed Nichimou Co., Ltd.
In February 1972 (Showa 47), the company changed its name from Nihon Gyomae Ship Equipment Co., Ltd. to Nichimou Co., Ltd.
In February 1972, the company changed its name from 'Nippon Fishing Net Ship Equipment Co., Ltd.' to 'Nichimou Co., Ltd.'.
In the 1970s (Showa 50s), following the start of the 200-kai regulation, the company expanded into coastal fisheries. It developed the fully automatic dried seaweed machine "Nichimou One-Man", achieving labor and effort reduction in aquaculture.
Completed the fully automatic dried nori manufacturing device "One Man". Contributed to labor-saving in the nori farming industry.
In the 1970s, it responded to the start of the 200-kai regulation and expanded into coastal fisheries.
Started handling the organic soil amendment "Kofuna®" as a foothold into the agricultural sector.
In 1980 (Showa 55), the company fully entered aquaculture following the import of silver carp (gintazake) eggs. It promoted fish strain improvement and feed development.
Sold spicy cod roe under the "Haneuo" brand, entering the processed food sector.
In Showa 55 (1980), it fully entered the Ginza fish farming business.
In the mid-1980s, domestic consumption of seafood stopped growing, and the trend of 'fish avoidance' became pronounced.
Started general contracting operations such as turnkey factory construction.
Separated and independent the production division, established Nichimou Products Co., Ltd. (now Nishinihon Nichimou Co., Ltd.).
Acquired NET Systems, a fishing net company in Washington State, USA, as a subsidiary.
The research and development of feed became the catalyst, launching the Biotics business that develops and sells fermented soybeans.
Moved headquarters to the current Tennozu area.
Released the first in-house branded health food 'IsoRacon'.
Released its own brand health food 'IsoRacon'.
Integrated the Biotics Sales Division into a subsidiary.
Celebrated its 100th anniversary of founding.
Acquired Nishinippon Calitech Co., Ltd. (now Nichimou Logistics Co., Ltd.) as a subsidiary and entered the logistics business.
Following the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011 (Heisei 23), Nichimou and its group companies in the Tohoku region were affected. The company engaged in reconstruction support.
On March 11, 2011 (Heisei 23), the Great East Japan Earthquake caused damage to Nichimou and its group companies in the Tohoku region.
In 2013 (Heisei 25), Japanese cuisine was registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
In 2013 (Heisei 25), washoku was registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
In November 2015 (Heisei 27), a "sedation device" was developed to increase the shipment quantity and quality of frozen yellowtail. The Mutsu Bay farmed silver salmon project in Miyagi Prefecture also began.
In November 2015 (Heisei 27), developed a sedation device to improve the shipment quantity and quality of frozen skipjack tuna.
In 2017 (Heisei 29), we adopted an "electro-stimulation-based seafood sedation device" aimed at high freshness and operational efficiency, strengthening the link between aquaculture management and distribution.
In 2017 (Heisei 29), the Sanriku farmed silver salmon project in Miyagi Prefecture commenced.
Celebrated its 100th anniversary of establishment.
On August 17, 2019 (Reiwa 1), we celebrated our 100th anniversary of founding.
On August 17, 2019 (Reiwa 1), celebrated its 100th anniversary.
Nichimou delivered polyethylene fishing nets regenerated from discarded nets to Ocean A & F's "Third Fujimar" as the first domestic delivery of such nets to overseas trawlers. The company is engaged in horizontal recycling of used fishing nets into new nets and has developed the "R&B (Recycle & Black) regenerated polyethylene net".
Nichimo Co., Ltd., in collaboration with the National Fisheries Research and Education Agency and others, will conduct trial operations to promote kite trawling. The new technology could reduce labor and improve safety, and the project is examining its effects and challenges in real fishing operations.
Nichimo Corporation will participate in the 28th Seafood Show held at Tokyo Big Sight from August 19 to 21, 2026. Focusing on the food business, we will promote integrated quality control from raw material procurement to product manufacturing and highlight the quality of our ingredients, with tasting samples also available. In collaboration with group companies, we will introduce safe and secure products.
Nichimo Corporation sponsors the Sea Free Research Festival held on July 25-26, 2026, to raise awareness of marine environmental issues and promote children's learning. The company will showcase and distribute workshops and environmentally friendly products.
Nichimou Corporation has established Japan's first domestic land-based aquaculture facility, the 'Nichimou-style Module RAS', in Kuji City, Iwate Prefecture, and has started a consulting business.
NichiMou, together with Riken Foods and Sumitomo Osaka Cement, was selected for a demonstration project aimed at improving the productivity of seaweed cultivation as a blue carbon sequestration source.
Nichimo Corporation has obtained its first short-term credit rating of 'a-2' from the credit rating agency R&I, aiming to provide an objective assessment of its financial condition and creditworthiness.
Nichimo Co., Ltd. will introduce sustainable fisheries support measures and regional revitalization initiatives with the theme of offshore wind power generation and coexistence with fisheries.
Nichimo Co., Ltd. has been certified as a "Healthy Management Excellent Corporation 2026 (Large Corporation Division)" and is working on employee health management and improving the work environment.
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