 |
From the early 17th century, when Sumitomo built Japan’s largest copper smelter, the company benefited greatly from the Besshi Mine. In 1890, 200 years after the mine opened, Sumitomo, for the first time, produced 2,000 tons of copper.
But even though Japan had gained a broad reputation overseas as a copper exporter, its processing technology remained immature, forcing the country to depend on imports to meet its own rolled-copper demand. Japan then became embroiled in the first Sino-Japanese War (1894–1895), which led to significant industrial innovation back home. A commercial boom ensued following the victory and high expectations for the impact of a war indemnity from China. In the midst of this milieu, in 1897, Sumitomo took over a copper-rolling business.
Two years later, Sumitomo’s copper-rolling business became the largest in Japan after it brought under its umbrella a certain strong company it had supported in the same industry. The company’s growth soon caught the eye of the military, which started placing orders for numerous products such as rolled brass for making canon shells, further strengthening the business. During this period, at the Paris Exposition 1900, Sumitomo’s copper plates won a gold medal while its copper wire won a silver medal—evidence that the company’s technologies had reached a globally competitive level. |
 |
| An aging mold for forging propellers can still be seen at Sumitomo Light Metal’s Nagoya Works. |
|
