Rise of the zaibatsu: Mitsubishi, Mitsui, Sumitomo and conglomerate formation (1870s-1930s)

1. Sumitomo’s Besshi Copper Mine supports expansion

   Jan 1, 1691Labels: Besshi Mine, Sumitomo

   • Sumitomo
   • Besshi

2. Meiji Restoration creates new business opportunities

   Jan 1, 1868Labels: Meiji Restoration, Japanese Government

   • Britannica

3. Iwasaki takes over Tsukumo Trading Company

   Mar 1, 1870Labels: Iwasaki Yatar, Tsukumo Trading

   • Iwasaki
   • Mitsubishi

4. Mitsubishi name adopted for shipping firm

   Mar 1, 1873Labels: Mitsubishi, Iwasaki Family

   • Mitsubishi
   • Iwasaki

5. Mitsui Bank established as a private bank

   Jul 1, 1876Labels: Mitsui Bank

   • Mitsui Bank
   • Mitsui

6. Mitsui Bussan founded as modern trading house

   Jul 1, 1876Labels: Mitsui Bussan, Takashi Masuda

   • Mitsui Roots
   • Mitsui Bunko

7. Yasuda Bank becomes a major zaibatsu center

   Jan 1, 1880Labels: Yasuda Bank, Yasuda Group

   • NDL
   • Britannica

8. Mitsubishi enters shipbuilding via Nagasaki Shipyard

   Jan 1, 1884Labels: Nagasaki Shipyard, Mitsubishi

   • MHI History
   • MHI

9. Mitsui acquires Miike Coal Mine in privatization push

   Jul 1, 1889Labels: Miike Coal, Mitsui

   • Mitsui Bunko
   • Miike

10. Sumitomo Bank founded to finance group growth

    Nov 1, 1895Labels: Sumitomo Bank, Sumitomo

    • Sumitomo Bank
    • Britannica

11. Mitsui establishes holding company Mitsui Gomei Kaisha

    Jan 1, 1909Labels: Mitsui Gomei, Mitsui

    • Mitsui Building
    • Mitsui Family

12. Zaibatsu expand influence during interwar economy

    Jan 1, 1925Labels: Zaibatsu, Interwar Japan

    • Britannica
    • Merriam

13. Mitsubishi builds aircraft manufacturing capability

    Jan 1, 1928Labels: Mitsubishi Aircraft, Mitsubishi

    • Mitsubishi Aircraft
    • MHI

14. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries launched as major merger outcome

    Jan 1, 1934Labels: Mitsubishi Heavy

    • MHI History
    • MHI