History
Idemitsu Kosan began its oil sales business on June 20, 1911 (Meiji 44) in Moji, Kitakyushu, under Idemitsu Shokai.
In 2019, we merged with Showa Shell Sekiyu. We would like to introduce our history over the past 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 regions (Yokohama Hiranuma oil terminal).
1890
Royal Dutch established in the Netherlands
1892
Tsunekichi Niitsu begins oil refining business in amaze Niigata Prefecture (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 builds the Saitozaki Refinery (Fukuoka) and begins refining imported crude oil.
1911
Sazo Idemitsu established Idemitsu Shokai in Moji (currently Kitakyushu City)
First shipment of the main store at the time of establishment
1913
Started selling Petroleum for fishing boats
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
Nishitozaki Refinery closed due to increase in crude oil tariff
1917
Inosuke Sejima constructed the Sejima Refinery in Tokyo (Asahi Sekiyu was established in 1921)
In line with the increasing demand for gasoline for automobiles, the high-performance "Akakaijirushi" was launched.
automotive gasoline label
Akakai Seal, Kurokai Seal
1919
Developed non-freezing axle oil for South Manchuria Railway
1921
Asahi Sekiyu, Ltd. leases Rising Sun Oil Co., Ltd.'s closed Nishitozaki Refinery and begins operations
1922
Asahi Sekiyu became a subsidiary of 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 became president of Asahi Sekiyu. Dedicated to business restructuring
1931
Yosaburo Hayama built refinery in Ougishima, Kawasaki City (connected to the current Toa Oil Keihin Refinery)
Tsunekichi Niitsu construced refinery in Hirasawa, Akita Prefecture
1935
Tsunekichi Niitsu constructed Marushin Niigata Refinery (later Showa Sekiyu Niigata Refinery)
1940
Established Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd.
1941
Rising Sun Petroleum production was placed under custody of enemy control. All company activities cease
1942
Showa Oil was establishedthrough the merger of Hayama Sekiyu, Niitsu Oil and Asahi Sekiyu.
1945
As a result of the defeat, Idemitsu lost all of their domestic and international business.
Tryed out businesses other than the oil industry (radio repair, agriculture, fishing, printing, etc.)
Showa Oil Kawasaki Refinery damaged by air raid
Kawasaki Refinery hit by bombing
1946
Oil accumulation operation at the bottom of a former naval tank
1947
Returned to the petroleum industry after being designated as a distributor 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 Oil wholesale company and begins oil supply business as a private company.
Showa Sekiyu and Shell Sekiyu are designated as Oil wholesale companies.
1951
Nissho Maru (II) launched
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 IncidentImported oil directly from Iran without yielding to oil majors
1955
Kawasaki Refinery constructed
1956
"Shell Art Award" established
1957
Tokuyama Refinery constructed
Showa Yokkaichi Sekiyu Co. established
1958
Showa Yokkaichi Sekiyu Yokkaichi Refinery constructed
1961
Shell Oil started selling asphalt
Highway with asphalt from shell oil
1962
-
The world's largest (at the time) tanker Nissho Maru (III) entered service.
-
Daiichi Munakata Maru was in distress
Seibu Oil Co., Ltd. established
Later, it partnered with Shell Oil. Showa Shell Sekiyu owns shares
1963
Chiba Refinery constructedWithdrawal from Petroleum Association
1964
TV program “Untitled Concert” began broadcasting
"Untitled Concert Concert"
Showa Oil's Niigata Refinery was damaged by the Niigata earthquake, but resumed operations two years later.
1966
-
Petrochemical Tokuyama factory constructed (Idemitsu Petrochemical Co., Ltd. established)
-
Idemitsu Museum of Art opened
1967
World's first heavy oil direct desulfurization equipment completed at Chiba Refinery
1968
Lubricants Research Laboratory as a base for lubricant product development opened
Showa Oil Hirasawa Refinery ceases operation
1969
Introduced the industry's first credit card system
Seibu Oil Yamaguchi Refinery constructed
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
-
Hyogo Refinery constructed(production stopped in 2003)
-
Central Research Institute (currently Advanced Technology Research Laboratories) opened
Central Research Institute at the time of its opening
1972
Okinawa Oil Refining Co., Ltd. (Okinawa Refinery) established
1973
Hokkaido Refinery constructed
1975
-
Idemitsu Petrochemical Chiba Factory constructed
-
Aichi Refinery constructed
A group of facilities at the Aichi Refinery stands facing the sea.
1977
Full-scale start of efforts towards oil alternative energy (coal, geothermal, etc.)
Idemitsu Oita Geothermal Takigami Plant
1978
Showa Sekiyu began research into solar cells
1979
Showa Sekiyu acquired 25% of TOA Oil's shares. Become the largest shareholder
1981
Founder Sazo Idemitsu passed away
Became the exclusive agent for Arco Solar in Japan and started importing and selling solar cell modules.
1983
"Idemitsu Unleaded Gold Apollo Gasoline" released
Unleaded high octane "Super Mega Gasoline" released
1985
Showa Sekiyu and Shell Sekiyu merged to form Showa Shell Sekiyu.
1986
Idemitsu Card, the industry's first multi-functional credit card, was issued.
X Card, the industry's first POS card with credit card was issued
1987
New dimension gasoline “Formula Shell Super X” released
1992
-
Overseas expansion of lubricants business started
-
Production began at the Snorre oil field in the Norwegian North Sea.
1993
-
"mydo card", a cash membership card with Prika function was issued
-
Low-benzene gasoline "ZEARTH" released(1996 - industry's first Eco Mark certified)
1994
Production equipment for unique material SPS (functional resin) at Chiba factory completed
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
Niigata Refinery closed
Niigata petroleum products import base
2000
Showa Shell Kawasaki Refinery was integrated with Toa Oil Refinery and established as Keihin Refinery
2002
High-octane gasoline “Shell Pura” released
2003
-
Production at Hyogo Refinery and Okinawa Refinery was halted.
-
Tank fire occurred at Hokkaido Refinery following Tokachi-oki earthquake
2004
Saudi Aramco, Saudi Arabia's national oil company, took 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
Participated in a project to construct refinery in Vietnam
2010
Natural gas-fired power plant "Ougishima Power Station" began commercial operation
2011
Responding to the Great East Japan Earthquake:
Dedicated to supplying energy to the affected areas
2012
Functional livestock feed "RUMINUP" released
New payment service "Shell Easy Pay" at SS launched
2014
Tokuyama Refinery stopped oil processing function
High-octane gasoline "Shell V-Power" released (end of sale 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.
-
Keihin Biomass Power Plant, one of the largest in Japan, completed.
2016
Royal Dutch Shell transferred Showa Shell Sekiyu shares to Idemitsu Kosan
2018
Nghi Son Refinery ConstructionVietnam Nghi Son Refinery began 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
New brand "apollostation" releasedFirst lithium all-solid lithium battery plant began operation
2022
Tokuyama biomass power plant constructed
2023
First Nadeshiko Brand selection
2024
Received the Purple Ribbon Medal for contributions to the practical application of OLED full-color displays
Idemitsu in 3 minutes
The video introduces the current and future of Idemitsu Kosan. You can also experience Idemitsu in your everyday life.