History
Idemitsu Kosan started its oil sales business in Moji, Kitakyushu on June 20, 1911 (Meiji 44) as Idemitsu Idemitsu Shokai.
Business integration with Showa Shell Sekiyu in 2019. We would like to introduce our history over 110 years.
- : Shell Oil
- : Royal Dutch
- : Showa Oil
1876
Established Samuel & Co. in Yokohama (later Shell)
A base was developed to supply oil to various locations (Yokohama Hiranuma oil terminal)
1890
Royal Dutch established in the Netherlands
1892
Tsunekichi Niitsu begins oil refining business in Amase, Amaze (1939 Niitsu Oil is established)
1899
Yosaburo Hayama begins his own oil refining business (Hayama Sekiyu is established in 1935)
1900
Samuel & Co. made its petroleum division independent and established Rising Sun Oil Co., Ltd. (later Shell Oil) in Japan.
1904
Shell, trademark changed from mussel to scallop (Pecten mark)
1907
Royal Dutch and Shell form a business alliance. Rising Sun Oil is developing its business as a group base in Japan.
1909
Rising Sun Oil Constructs Nishitosaki Refinery (Fukuoka) and begins refining imported crude oil
1911
Founded Sazo Idemitsu Idemitsu Shokai in Samimoji Idemitsu (currently Kitakyushu City)
First shipment of the main store at the time of establishment
1913
Started selling fishing boat Petroleum
A signboard hanging at the Moji main store
1914
Developing overseas sales channels in East AsiaDeveloping sales channels in Manchuria (northeastern China).
Since then, we have expanded our sales channels to the Korean Peninsula, Taiwan, and North and South China.
1915
Nishitosaki Refinery closed due to increase in crude oil tariffs
1917
Inojo Sejima builds the Sejima Refinery in Tokyo (Asahi Sekiyu was established in 1921)
In line with the increasing demand for gasoline for automobiles, the high-performance "Akakai" is launched.
automotive gasoline label
Akakai Seal, Kurokai Seal
1919
Developed non-freezing axle oil for South Manchuria Railway
1921
Asahi Sekiyu leases the closed Rising Sun Sekiyu Nishitosaki Refinery and begins operations
1922
Became a subsidiary of Asahi Sekiyu Suzuki Shoten and merged with Teikoku Oil.
1923
Devised and built a distribution ship with a measuring device and began refueling its contents at sea.
1927
Eizo Nagasaki becomes president of Asahi Sekiyu. Dedicated to business restructuring
1931
Yosaburo Hayama built Refinery in Ogishima, Kawasaki City (connected to the current Toa Oil Keihin Refinery)
Tsuneyoshi Niitsu constructs Refinery in Hirasawa, Akita Prefecture
1935
Construction of Marushin Niigata Refinery Tsuneyoshi Niitsu (later Showa Sekiyu Niigata Refinery)
1940
Established Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd.
1941
Rising Sun Petroleum enemy production management. All company activities cease
1942
Showa Sekiyu establishedHayama Sekiyu, Niitsu Sekiyu, and Asahi Sekiyu merged.
1945
As a result of the defeat, they lost all of their domestic and international business.
Trying out businesses other than the oil industry (radio repair, agriculture, fishing, printing, etc.)
Showa Oil Refinery damaged by air raid
Refinery hit by bombing
1946
Collecting old navy tank bottom oil
1947
Returned to the oil industry after being designated as a dealer by the Petroleum Distribution Corporation.Merger of Idemitsu Shokai and Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd.
1948
Rising Sun Oil changed its name to Shell Oil Co., Ltd. and resumed operations.
1949
Designated as a primary oil distributor and begins oil supply business as a private company.
Showa Sekiyu and Shell Sekiyu are designated as primary oil distributors.
1951
Nissho Maru (II) enters service
Shell Group makes capital investment in Showa Sekiyu
Shell Group and Showa Sekiyu agree to a capital alliance
1952
Launched high-quality and inexpensive "Apollo Gasoline" imported from the United States
Store signboard
Gas station at the time
1953
Nissho Maru IncidentImport oil directly from Iran without yielding to oil majors
1955
Refinery completed
1956
Establishment of "Shell Art Award"
1957
Refinery construction
Established Showa Yokkaichi Sekiyu Co.
1958
Showa Yokkaichi Sekiyu Yokkaichi Refinery construction
1961
Shell Oil starts selling asphalt
Expressway using Shell Oil asphalt
1962
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The world's largest (at the time) tanker Nissho Maru (III) enters service.
-
Daiichi Sosōmaru Disaster
Seibu Oil Co., Ltd. established
Later, it partnered with Shell Oil. Showa Shell Sekiyu owns shares
1963
Withdrawal from Refinery ConstructionPetroleum Association
1964
TV program “Untitled Concert” begins.
"Untitled Concert"
Showa Sekiyu Niigata Refinery damaged by Niigata Earthquake, resumes operations two years later
1966
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Constructed petrochemical Tokuyama factory (Idemitsu Petrochemical Co., Ltd. established)
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Idemitsu Museum of Art opens
1967
World's first heavy oil direct desulfurization equipment completed at Refinery
1968
Opening of Lubricants Research Laboratory as a base for lubricant product development
Showa Sekiyu Hirasawa Refinery operations suspended
1969
Introduced the industry's first credit card system
Seibu Oil Yamaguchi Refinery construction
Heavy oil-fired power generation
1960s
Yokkaichi Asthma Became a ProblemSix companies including Showa Yokkaichi Sekiyu were sued, which affected the environmental response of the entire industry.
1970
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Construction of Refinery (production stopped in 2003)
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Opened the Central Research Institute (currently Advanced Technology Research Laboratories)
Central Research Institute at the time of its opening
1972
Established Okinawa Oil Refining Co., Ltd. (Okinawa Refinery)
1973
Hokkaido Refinery construction
1975
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Construction of Idemitsu Petrochemical Chiba Factory
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Refinery construction
Refinery where equipment stands facing the sea
1977
Full-scale start of efforts towards oil alternative energy (coal, geothermal, etc.)
Idemitsu Oita Complex
1978
Showa Sekiyu begins research into solar cells
1979
Showa Sekiyu acquires 25% of Toa Ishida's shares. Become the largest shareholder
1981
Founder Sazo Idemitsu passes away
Became the exclusive agent for ArcoSolar in Japan and started importing and selling solar cell modules.
1983
"Idemitsu Unleaded Gold Apollo Gasoline" launched
Release of lead-free high octane “Super Mega Gasoline”
1985
Showa Sekiyu and Shell Sekiyu merge to form Showa Shell Sekiyu.
1986
Idemitsu Card, the industry's first multi-functional credit card, is issued.
Issued the industry's first POS card with credit card function "X Card"
1987
New dimension gasoline “Formula Shell Super X” released
1992
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Overseas expansion of lubricant business
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Production begins at the Snorre oil field in the Norwegian North Sea.
1993
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Issuance of “mydo card”, a cash membership card with Prika function
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Launched low-benzene gasoline "ZEARTH" (1996 - industry's first Eco Mark certified)
1994
Completed production equipment for unique material SPS (functional resin) at Chiba factory
1995
Response to the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake
Efforts to supply energy to disaster-stricken areas
1997
Developed the world's first OLED display
1999
Closure of Niigata Refinery
Niigata petroleum products import base
2000
Showa Shell Refinery was integrated with Toa Oil Refinery and established as Keihin Refinery
2002
High-octane gasoline “Shell Pura” launched
2003
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Production suspension at Refinery and Okinawa Refinery
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Tank fire occurs at Hokkaido Refinery following Tokachi-oki earthquake
2004
Saudi Aramco, Saudi Arabia's national oil company, takes an equity stake.
2005
Decided to commercialize CIS thin film solar cells
2006
Exhibited at KidZania Tokyo (Koshien in 2009, Fukuoka in 2022)Listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange
Established Solar Frontier Co., Ltd.
2008
Participating in a project to construct Refinery in Vietnam
2010
Natural gas-fired power plant “Ogishima Power Station” begins commercial operation
2011
Great East Japan Earthquake response
Efforts to supply energy to disaster-stricken areas
2012
Launch of functional livestock feed “RUMINUP”
Introduction of new payment service “Shell Easy Pay” at SS
2014
Refinery oil processing function stopped
High-octane gasoline “Shell V-Power” launched (sold out in 2023)
2015
Signed a basic agreement regarding business integration with Showa Shell Sekiyu Co., Ltd.
-
Signed a basic agreement regarding business integration with Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd.
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Construction of Keihin Biomass Power Plant, one of the largest in Japan, completed.
2016
Royal Dutch Shell transfers Showa Shell Sekiyu shares to Idemitsu Kosan
2018
Nghi Son Refinery ConstructionVietnam Nghi Son Refinery begins commercial operation
Entered electricity retail business
2019
Business integrationIdemitsu Kosan and Showa Shell Sekiyu merged and started anew as Idemitsu Kosan.
2020
Head office moved to Otemachi One
2021
Launch of new brand “apollostation ”First lithium all-solid lithium battery plant begins operation
2022
Tokuyama biomass power plant construction
2023
Nadeshiko Brand Award