History

In the United States

Early 1900s: Sojitz’s predecessor companies start business in the U.S.

1952: Incorporated in the United States

2004: Nissho Iwai and Nichimen merge to form Sojitz in Japan and Sojitz Corporation of America in the United States.

2024: Celebrates 20 years as Sojitz!

In Japan

zen training center

1868: Meiji Restoration. After over 250 years of isolation during the Edo period, Japan opened its borders and industrialized during the Meiji era. In the rapid change taking place at the end of the 1800s, three trading company titans played an instrumental role in the development of modern Japan and eventually became Sojitz: Japan Cotton Trading Company, Iwai & Company, and Suzuki & Company.

The history section of the Sojitz Corporation website includes a video summary of the last 150 years and a link to the extensive online archives of The Sojitz History Museum.

Also, check out this innovative manga series on Sojitz’s long and storied history:

The Sojitz Story