Sumitomo started its business in Kyoto about 400 years ago. Subsequently, the Sumitomo Family engaged in copper refining in Besshi on Shikoku Island and prospered. This is the origin of the present Sumitomo Group. During its 400-year history, the men and women of the Sumitomo Group have developed a distinguished corporate culture, set of values, and management structure.
The enduring words of our predecessors have been respected as our code of conduct up to the present. Sumitomo’s 400-year history includes not only clear sunny days but also many stormy ones. When we faced a crisis, we have overcome it, with our Business Spirit – our intangible asset woven into the corporate fabric as our common perception. We have been and will be able to revisit and rely on our Business Spirit as our guidance. We believe this makes us very strong.
In order to achieve longstanding sustained growth and remain a trusted company, we will uphold this intangible asset, make it better, and pass it on to the next generation.
