History

The history of Oji Gourp goes hand in hand
with the history of Japan's modern papermaking industry.

Japan's modern papermaking began in 1873, in Oji-mura.

However, before that, the country acquired its traditional techniques from China, a process that resulted in washi, or Japanese paper. During the Edo Period papermaking, coupled with woodblock printing, achieved a very respectable level, and even included the use of recycled paper called "shukushi." However, it was difficult to produce washi in large quantities. To make paper in volumes suitable for large-scale printing, we needed to turn to Western technology.

Ei-ichi Shibusawa experienced Western culture for the time when he visited Europe as part of the entourage of Tokugawa Akitake. Subsequently, he worked to establish a papermaking company "for the country and community," and in 1873, he launched his own manufacturing company. Twenty years later, the company was renamed Oji Paper in honor of the place of its founding. In 1933, Oji Paper merged with Fuji Paper and Karafuto Industries, developing into a corporation that produced 80 percent of Japan's Western-style paper.

The Excess Economic Powers Decentralization Act was implemented following World War II, dividing the company into three components: Tomakomai Paper, Jujo Paper, and Honshu Paper. Tomakomai began as a one-plant operation, but upon its expansion into Kasugai, Aichi Prefecture in 1952, the company was renamed Oji Paper Industries, and in 1960, it became Oji Paper. Then, the company merged with Kita Nippon Paper, Nippon Pulp Industries, and Toyo Pulp. In 1993, Oji Paper merged with Kanzaki Paper to become New Oji Paper, and furthermore, in 1996, New Oji Paper and Honshu Paper merged to become Oji Paper. Eventually, Oji Paper transferred to a pure holding company system and started anew under the trade name “Oji Holdings Corporation.”  Today, we are one of the largest and most influential paper manufacturers in the world.

We, the people and employees of Oji Group, continue our dedication to culture and the environment. With that as a guiding principle in all our activities, we are striving to become one of the world's most effective recycling industries. The 21st century will see us achieve that goal.

Ei-ichi Shibusawa (1840-1931)

Born in Haruna County, Musashi Country (now the city of Fukaya), Ei-ichi Shibusawa was 25 when he entered service to Tokugawa Yoshinobu. He visited Europe in 1867. Two years after his return to Japan, he served in such positions as Assistant to the Finance Minister. He left public service in 1873 and became a leader in the Japanese business community during the Meiji Period, as well as Taisho and Showa eras, amply demonstrating his skills and dignity of character.