Close From the Meiji Restoration Onward

Having survived the turmoil of the Meiji Restoration (1868) under the courageous leadership of Saihei Hirose—the general manager of the Besshi Copper Mines who subsequently became the first Director-General of Sumitomo in 1877, and his fellow executives, output of the Besshi Copper Mines soared, reflecting early adoption of technologies and equipment from overseas.

Despite great challenges, such as devastating typhoons and a crisis brought about by smoke pollution associated with copper smelting, management and workers at the Besshi Copper Mines tenaciously devoted themselves to overcoming all obstacles.