Strengths of trading companies
As a business format unique to Japan, "trading companies" have been responsible for transactions with foreign countries since before and after the Meiji Restoration, and after the war, they were responsible for imports and exports as Japan achieved reconstruction as a "trading nation", and actively expanded its network around the world. In recent years, business investment by trading companies is characterized by not only investing funds, but also hands-on involvement in management and the construction of the entire supply chain. In particular, we have a system in place to respond to complex issues such as decarbonization and infrastructure development with our "comprehensive capabilities" that organically link various departments within the company.
With the knowledge and flexible strategies cultivated through the crisis, trading companies are deepening their unique value creation models and continuing to challenge the next frontier.
Today's trading company activities mainly have the following characteristics:
A wide range of products, business fields, and services
There is a wide variety of products and services handled by trading companies. Trading companies are constantly changing their business offerings to adapt to changes in industry and society.
In recent years, in response to the increasing awareness of the environment and the development of digital technology, we are working on the development of technologies such as electric vehicles (EVs, PHEVs, and HEVs), renewable energy including hydrogen and ammonia, and next-generation mobility. In addition, we utilize our diverse industry knowledge and global network to create businesses flexibly and quickly.
Wide range of business areas
- Construction machinery, machine tools, agricultural machinery, mining machinery
- Automotive (EV, PHEV, HEV)
- Automotive Parts, Next-Generation Mobility
- Railways, ships, aircraft
- Iron ore, coal, and various fuels
- Steel Products, Steel Service Center
- Copper, Aluminum, Nickel, Precious Metals, Rare Metals, Rare Earths
- Crude oil, LNG, LPG, natural gas, petroleum products
- Renewable energy (biofuels, hydrogen, ammonia, etc.), CCUS, batteries
- Petrochemicals, Inorganic & Fine Chemicals, Synthetic Resins
- Agricultural materials (pesticides and fertilizers), next-generation agriculture
- Semiconductors & Electronic Materials
- Textiles (raw materials, products, materials, apparel, brands)
- Wood & Building Materials, Paper, Pulp & Chips, Leather, Ceramics, Tires
- Rubber products, interior and miscellaneous goods, forestry industry
- Grains, raw sugar, marine and livestock products, fruits and vegetables, fats and oils, beverage ingredients
- Processed foods (e.g., alcoholic beverages, canned food, dairy products)
- Pharmaceuticals, Drugstores, Hygiene Products, Health-related Products, Hospitals and Elderly Facilities
- Convenience Stores & Supermarkets
- Recycling
- Character License
- Information and communication, CATV, TV/online shopping
- Video content, digital advertising
- Digital Solutions
- Space, Satellite Media & Rideshare
- 5G、IoT、AI
- Cellular Service
- IT, BPO Services
- Overseas Industrial Park
- Regional comprehensive development, urban development, housing (development, construction, sales, management), commercial facilities, office buildings (facility management, leasing, distribution)
- Smart Cities
- Harbors, bridges, roads
- Railway, Airport
- Electric power business, solar, wind, hydro, geothermal power generation
- Water and Sewerage
- Telecommunications infrastructure (telecom base stations, optical cables, data centers, etc.)
- Leasing (automobiles, railcars, aircraft, etc.)
- Insurance & Finance
- Domestic and Overseas Logistics
- Distribution Center Business
- Dealing (precious metals, etc.)
- REIT
Global Network
Trading companies active on the global stage have various types of bases around the world, such as local subsidiaries, branch offices, representative offices, and branch offices. Each site plays an effective role and develops global business while cooperating with each other.
Huge group of companies
(Number of employees: 30,000)
Established an operating company and entered a new field through the acquisition of an existing company
- *1The seven companies refer to Itochu Corporation, Sumitomo Corporation, Sojitz, Toyota Tsusho, Marubeni, Mitsui & Co., and Mitsubishi Corporation (the same hereinafter).
- *2 Compiled from the general review of each company's securities reports (2023).
- *The number of cities where the seven companies are based is aggregated from each company's website, integrated reports, etc. (different from the number of bases announced by each company).
- *East Asia: China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, Mongolia
Diverse business development and synergies
By utilizing various functions, trading companies are constantly improving these functions while developing diverse businesses and responding to changes in the times and environment.
The Functions and Roles of Trading Companies That Continue to Evolve
In the midst of changes in the external environment, trading companies have always flexibly changed and expanded their roles and the services they provide while identifying the needs of industry and society.
In the past, there have been points that sounded the alarm about the future prospects of trading companies, such as the "Trading Company Sunset Theory" and "The Winter Era of Trading Companies", but trading companies have taken these positively and have repeatedly changed themselves.
This "ability to respond to change" can be said to be the greatest strength of trading companies.
Changes in the functions and roles of trading companies
