Established Nippon Sanso Partnership. One of the founders, Mr. Takehiko Yamaguchi, consulted with Mr. Takashi Takahashi, Vice Governor of the Bank of Japan, and decided on investment, leading to the establishment of Nippon Sanso Partnership.
One of the company's founders, Mr. Takehiko Yamaguchi, discussed with Mr. Korekiyo Takahashi, then Deputy Governor of the Bank of Japan and future Prime Minister, about his desire to start an oxygen business and his lack of capital. Mr. Takahashi was interested when Yamaguchi explained that 'the raw material is air,' and approved a capital injection, leading to the establishment of Nippon Sanso Ltd.
One of the founders, Takehiko Yamaguchi (currently Azbil Corporation (formerly Yamatake Corporation), and currently Nippon Seiko Co., Ltd.), consulted with the then Vice Governor of the Bank of Japan, Kiyoshi Takahashi (later Prime Minister), saying, "I want to start an oxygen business, but I lack funds alone." When Takahashi showed interest in the explanation that the raw material is air, he decided to invest along with other Bank of Japan officials, and Nippon Oxygen Joint Stock Company was established.
Established Nippon Oxygen Joint Stock Company.
Establishment of Nippon Sanso Ltd. with capital injection approved by the Bank of Japan, based on Takehiko Yamaguchi's desire to start an oxygen business.
During the prosperous period following World War I, the company's business expanded with the development of the mining industry, and it was renamed Nippon Sanso Co., Ltd. in 1918.
With the economic boom following World War I, the company's business expanded with the development of the mining industry, and it was renamed Nippon Sanso Co., Ltd. in 1918.
Renamed to Nippon Sanso Co., Ltd.
Established Toyo Oxygen Co., Ltd.
Company name changed to Nippon Sanso Co., Ltd. due to expansion during the economic boom after World War I.
Established Toyo Sanso K.K. with involvement of Yoshihira Wada and Takichi Ishii, to meet rising demand for oxygen in iron and steel industries.
Successfully domesticated the air separation device for oxygen production for the first time in our company.
Completion of the first Japanese-built air separation unit.
Completed the first domestically produced air separation unit.
Completion of the first Japanese-built air separation unit (ASU) for producing oxygen.
During wartime, Mr. Genbei Kawaguchi, a submarine captain, established the company using an oxygen generator for oxygen torpedoes and submarine inhalation gases, initiating oxygen supply business.
Established Taiyo Sanso Co., Ltd.
The company's first Japanese-built air separation unit (ASU) for oxygen production was successfully constructed.
Established Taiyo Oxygen Co., Ltd.
Establishment of Taiyo Sanso Co., Ltd. by Genbei Kawaguchi, initially supplying oxygen for submarines and torpedoes.
Started full-scale import and sale of helium gas from 1964.
Established the first on-site plant, Shunan Plant (now Shunan Oxygen Co., Ltd.).
The company began full-scale import and sale of helium gas in 1964, which is used in various fields such as food, energy, communications, transportation, astronautics, and ocean development.
We established the first on-site plant system, the Shunan plant (currently Shunan Sanso Co., Ltd.). This on-site plant system is in the form of an air separation facility constructed adjacent to the factory of a company that consumes a large amount of industrial gas, and supplies gas through a pipeline. This system enables the stable supply of a large amount of gas to the large-scale steel factories, petrochemical industrial complexes, etc. The introduction of on-site plants continues to this day, and they have been instrumental in ensuring the company’s dominance in the Japanese market.
We started importing and selling helium gas on a full scale from 1964. To this day, it is used as an indispensable gas in a wide range of fields such as food, energy, telecommunications, transportation, space, and ocean development.
We established the first on-site plant, the Shunan plant (currently Shunan Oxygen Co., Ltd.). The on-site plant system involves constructing an air separation unit adjacent to the factory of a company that consumes large amounts of industrial gas, and supplying gas via pipelines.
Started importing and selling helium gas.
Promotion of frozen foods.
Established the first on-site plant, the Shunan factory.
Start of full-scale importation and sale of helium gas.
Establishment of Shunan plant, the first on-site plant system, enabling stable supply of industrial gases to large-scale factories.
Opening of the Tomei Expressway.
From the 1970s, silicon began to be adopted in Japan's electronics industry, leading to the development of electronic materials gases necessary for silicon semiconductor manufacturing, establishing a position in the electronics market.
Development of semiconductor-related gases business.
Beginning of development of semiconductor-related gas business.
First in the world to commercialize a vacuum technology and special welding-stainless steel vacuum bottle. It has since developed into the 'Thermos' brand, offering a product lineup loved worldwide.
We were the first company in the world to commercialize the stainless steel vacuum-insulated bottles using vacuum technology and special welding. It was developed as the 'Thermos' brand, and our range of products is still prized the world over.
We productized the world's first vacuum-insulated bottles using vacuum technology and special welding. It has been developed under the 'Thermos' brand, and now offers a lineup of products loved worldwide.
Commercialized the world's first stainless steel vacuum-insulated thermos.
Commercialization of the world's first stainless steel vacuum-insulated bottles using vacuum technology and special welding.
The South Korean subsidiary of Nippon Sanso Holdings constructed a new semiconductor materials gas production facility in Asan, South Chungcheong Province, and began operations on September 3, 2026. The facility is intended to work with existing plants to strengthen the supply system.
Nippon Sanso Holdings published Integrated Report 2026 on its website. The report explains strategies in the medium-term management plan Next Innovation 2030 and efforts to improve corporate value, and includes perspectives from both management and frontline employees.
Nippon Sanso Holdings was again selected as a constituent of the JPX Prime 150 Index for fiscal 2026. The index selects companies from among the largest by market capitalization in the Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market, based on financial performance and nonfinancial information. The company will continue pursuing sustainable growth and increased corporate value.
Japan Oxygen Holdings has published videos introducing the group's technological capabilities and innovations on Rakuten Securities' investment information media "Toushiru" and on YouTube.
Nippon Oxygen Holdings has decided to make an additional investment in HYSYTECH in Italy to strengthen the engineering functions of its European business.
Japan Oxygen Holdings' Thai subsidiary established a joint venture to collect and purify biomass-derived CO2 and sell it within Thailand.
The company has renewed its investment in ELLIS Alicante for three consecutive years, supporting responsible AI research and innovation, and promoting ethics and digitization.
Japan Oxygen Holdings has added materials regarding the evaluation of board effectiveness to its corporate governance page.
Japan Oxygen Holdings and Taiyo Nippon Sanso have been recognized for six consecutive years as a Health & Productivity Management Organization 2026 (Large Corporation Division) by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Japan Health Conference.
Coregas, a group company of Japan Oxygen HD, has commissioned a state-of-the-art ASU in Dara, Queensland, to strengthen the stability and sustainability of industrial gas supply.