Foundation: 1919
Headquarters: Chiyoda Ward, Osaka
President and CEO: Kuniharu Nakamura
Executive Summary: Sumitomo Corporation is a major diversified general trading company, established in 1919 as the Osaka North Harbour Company. Initially, it focused on land management, construction, and development in the Osaka area. In 1944, it merged with the Sumitomo Building Company to become the Sumitomo Building and Real Estate Company. After being fragmented during the U.S. occupation of Japan due to antitrust policies, it was reorganized in 1952 as Sumitomo Shoji Kaisha, emerging as one of Japan’s “Big Three” general trading companies alongside Mitsui and Mitsubishi.
Between 1955 and 1975, Sumitomo experienced significant growth in transaction volume. In 1970, it merged with Sogo Boeki Company and adopted its current English name, Sumitomo Corporation. Today, the company is heavily involved in natural resources and energy investments, and it engages in extensive international collaborations, particularly in transportation sectors. Sumitomo’s annual revenue is in the range of US$40 billion.