Shiroyosh

The history of Byousha began in 1906 (Meiji 39) when its founder, the devout Christian Kenji Araki, decided to start a laundry business as a venture that would benefit people without deceit or manipulation. At that time, laundry was considered an undesirable occupation, but inspired by the suffering of Christ who bore humanity's sins, Araki resolved to take pride in the work of removing people's stains and dedicate his life to it.

The history of Hakuyo-sha began in 1906 (Meiji 39) when founder Kenji Araki, a devout Christian, decided to start a laundry business as a venture that would benefit people without lies or manipulation.

Founder Kenji Igarashi opened Shiroyosh in Nihonbashi, Tokyo (capital 300 yen)

Founder Kenji Araki opened Byousha in Tokyo's Nihonbashi Gofukucho with a capital of 300 yen

Kenji Igarashi began research on dry cleaning

Kenji Araki began research into dry cleaning

Opened Japan's first dry cleaning factory in Oi, Tokyo

Opened Japan's first dry cleaning factory in Tokyo's Oi

Reorganized as a corporation and became Shiroyosh Cleaning Co., Ltd.

Reorganized as a corporation and became Byousha Cleaning Co., Ltd.

Name changed to Shiroyosh Co., Ltd.

Changed the company name to Byousha Co., Ltd.

Tamagawa Factory (now Tokyo Branch) Completion

Tamagawa Factory (now Tokyo Branch) Completion

Established Shiroyosh Chemical Research Institute (now Laundry Science Research Institute)

Established the Byousha Chemical Research Institute (now the Laundry Science Research Institute)

Company Song Adopted (Lyrics by Kitahara Hakushū, Music by Yamada Kosaku)

Company Song Adopted (Lyrics by Kitahara Hakushū, Music by Yamada Kosaku)

Outbreak of the Pacific War

Second President, Mr. Igarashi Jūbō Assumes Office

Second President, Mr. Igarashi Jūbō Assumes Office

Listing on the Tokyo Stock Exchange

Listing on the Tokyo Stock Exchange

Capital increased to 50 million yen

Capital increased to 50 million yen

Advisor Kenji Igarashi received the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette

Consultant Kenji Araki received the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays

Celebrated 50th anniversary

Established Shaei Toyo Hall Sales Co., Ltd. (now Higashi-Nihon Hall Sales Co., Ltd.)

Celebrated the 50th anniversary of the company

Established Byouei Toyo Wholesale Co., Ltd. (now Higashi-Nippon Wholesale Co., Ltd.)

Established Joint Linen Supply Co., Ltd. and started linen supply business

Established Kyodo Linen Supply Co., Ltd. and started the linen supply business

Established Eiri Linen Co., Ltd. (now Shiroyosh Eiri Linen Supply Co., Ltd.)

Established Eiri Linen Co., Ltd. (now Byousha Eiri Linen Supply Co., Ltd.)

Advisor Kenji Igarashi received the Order of the Rising Sun, 3rd Class, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon

Consultant Kenji Igarashi received the Third Class, Medal of Merit

Established Henglong Shiroyosh Ltd. in Hong Kong

Established Hong Kong Henglong Baiyang She Co., Ltd.

Capital increased to 730 million yen

Capital increased to 730 million yen

Capital increased to 1 billion yen

Headquarters Building Completed (Shibuya-ku, Kamiyama-cho)

Headquarters Building Completed (Shibuya-ku, Kamiyama-cho)

Introduced cleaning technician system

Introduced the Cleaning Technician System

Established Soudai Co., Ltd.

Established Doublet Co., Ltd.

Established Shiroyoshahawaii Co., Ltd. (now Shiroyoshainternational Co., Ltd.) in Hawaii, USA

Established Baiyang She Hawaii Co., Ltd. (now Baiyang She International Co., Ltd.) in Hawaii, USA

Launch of the new symbol mark "Clean Living"

Launched the new symbol mark "Clean Living"

Capital increased to 1.32 billion yen

Capital increased to 1.32 billion yen

Third President, Mr. Igarashi Keikichi Assumes Office

Commencement of uniform rental business

Third President, Mr. Igarashi Keikichi Assumes Office

Started uniform rental business

Introduction of sales staff qualification system (now Counter Staff Qualification System)

Introduced the Salesperson Qualification System (now Counter Staff Qualification System)

Establishment of Kenji Arisaka Memorial Laundry Museum

Established the Kenji Igarashi Memorial Laundry Museum

Capital increased to 2.41 billion yen

Capital increased to 2.41 billion yen

Completion of headquarters building (Shibuya-ku, Kamiyama-cho)

Completed the headquarters building (Shibuya-ku, Kamiyama-cho)

Opening of the stain removal workshop

Opened a stain removal workshop

Publication of founder's biographical novel "Evening and Morning" by Ayako Miura

Published the founder's biographical novel "Evening and Morning" by Ayako Miura

Fourth President, Mr. Igarashi Nobuhiko Assumes Office

Fourth President, Nobuhiko Igarashi Assumes Office

New logo and CI introduction

Introduced new logos and CI

Environmentally conscious hanger recycling and reuse program launched

Started recycling and reusing hangers with environmental consideration

Fifth President, Mr. Igarashi Soichi Assumes Office

Fifth President, Soichi Igarashi Assumes Office

Introduction of Meister system

Introduced the Meister system

Celebration of 100th anniversary of founding

Celebrated the 100th anniversary of the founding

Shizuoka Hakuyōsha Co., Ltd. Established

Shizuoka Hakuyo Co., Ltd. Established

ISO22000 certification for Yokohama uniform rental office (now Eastern Uniform Rental Office)

Uniform Rental Yokohama Office (now Uniform Rental Eastern Office) obtains ISO22000

Birth of mascot character "Shiro Kuma Yosha"

Mascot character "Shirokuma Yosha" is born

ISO22000 certification for Western Uniform Rental Office

Uniform Rental Western Office obtains ISO22000

Relocation of headquarters to Shimamaruko, Ota-ku

Headquarters moved to Shimamaruko, Ota Ward

Share consolidation (10 shares to 1 share)

Share consolidation (10 shares into 1 share)

Acquisition of Hokkaido Linen Supply Co., Ltd. (now Shiroyoshahokkaido Linen Supply Co., Ltd.) as a subsidiary

Kokai Linen Supply Co., Ltd. (now Hakuyo-sha Hokkaido Linen Supply Co., Ltd.) becomes a subsidiary

Sixth President, Mr. Matsumoto Akira Assumes Office

Sixth President, Akira Matsumoto Assumes Office

Announcement of "Hakuyōsha Quality Assurance New Declaration"

Announcement of the "Hakuyo Quality Assurance New Declaration"

Received the Sustainability Award at the Global Best Practice Award 2018

Received the Sustainability Award at the "Global Best Practice Award 2018"

Renamed route staff to "CLP (Clean Living Partner)" and introduced the CLP certification system

Renamed route staff to "CLP (Clean Living Partner)" and introduced the CLP qualification system

Formulated the Sustainability Basic Policy

Formulated sustainability basic policy

Released the mobile app

Released mobile app

Established the Human Rights Policy, Sustainable Procurement Policy, and Sustainable Procurement Guidelines

Human Rights Policy Formulated

Launched a used clothing purchase service

Started secondhand clothing purchase service

Seventh President, Mr. Igarashi Eiichi Assumes Office

Seventh President, Eiichi Igarashi Assumes Office

Celebrated the 120th anniversary of the company

Celebrated 120th anniversary of founding