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Our History

1842
Marubeni's founder Chubei Itoh was born in Shiga Prefecture.
1858
Chubei Itoh moved out of the family business and started a linen trading business with his uncle.
1872
Chobei Itoh, Chubei Itoh's elder brother, opened Itoh Chobei Shoten.
Chubei Itoh opened Benchu in Osaka.
1914
Reorganized the former private business into C.Itoh & Co.
1918
Sales divisions of C.Itoh & Co. were divided into two incorporated companies, C.Itoh & Co., Ltd and Itochu Shoten, Ltd.
1920
The overseas trading division of C.Itoh & Co., Ltd. was spun off to establish Daido Boeki Kaisha Ltd.
1921
Established Marubeni Shoten, Ltd. From the merger of Itochu Shoten, Ltd. and Itoh Chobei Shoten.
Chobei Itoh IX was appointed as president.
1933
Marubeni Shoten formulated The Five Marubeni Precepts.
1941
Sanko Kabushiki Kaisha Ltd. was established through the merger of C.Itoh & Co., Ltd. and two other companies.
1944
Daiken Co., Ltd. was established through the merger of Daido Boeki Kaisha Ltd. and two other companies.
1949
Marubeni Co., Ltd. was established.
1950
Listed shares on the Osaka Securities Exchange and Tokyo Stock Exchange.
1951
First overseas subsidiary was established in New York.
1955
Changed trading name to Marubeni-Iida Co., Ltd. following the merger of Marubeni Co., Ltd. and Iida & Co., Ltd.
1966
Acquired Totsu Co., Ltd.
1972
Changed trading name to Marubeni Corporation.
1973
Merged with Nanyo Bussan Co., Ltd.
1974
Received approval for establishing Marubeni Foundation, a social welfare corporation.
1976
The Lockheed scandals occurred.
1998
Marubeni Corporate Principles and Marubeni Corporation Code of Conduct were enforced.
1999
The Restructuring Plan started.
2001
Medium-term management plan @ction 21 started.
Marubeni-Itochu Steel Inc. was established.
Medium-term management plan @ction 21 was revised and @ction 21 “A” PLAN was announced.
2003
Medium-term management plan “V” PLAN started.
2006
Medium-term management plan “G” PLAN started.
2008
Medium-term management plan SG2009 started.
2010
SG-12 Medium-term management plan started.
2013
Achieved a net income of 205.7 billion yen in the fiscal year ending March 2013.
Medium-term management plan Global Challenge 2015 started.
2016
Medium-term management plan Global Challenge 2018 started.
2019
Medium-Term Management Strategy GC2021 started.
2021
Construction of the new Marubeni Building (head office) in Tokyo completed.
Marubeni Gallery opened.
2022
Mid-Term Management Strategy GC2024 started.
2025
Mid-Term Management Strategy GC2027 started.