Itochu Corporation, founded in 1858 and headquartered in Osaka, is one of Japan’s leading sogo shosha, or general trading companies. With roots in textile trading, the firm has evolved into a diversified conglomerate spanning multiple industries. Itochu’s global operations cover six core business segments—textiles; machinery and automobiles; information and communications technology; energy and chemicals; metals and mineral resources; and foodstuff—along with real estate, finance, insurance and infrastructure investments.
In textiles, Itochu sources, produces and markets fibers, garments and functional materials. Its machinery and automotive division handles everything from construction equipment and aircraft to commercial vehicles. The energy and chemicals arm is active in upstream oil and gas exploration, petrochemicals and renewable energy projects, while the metals and mineral resources segment focuses on iron ore, copper, steel raw materials and trading. In food, the company invests in agriculture, logistics, processing and retail, supplying everything from grain and meat to beverages and consumer goods.
Baranglobal network spans more than 60 countries across Asia, the Americas, Europe, Africa and Oceania. Itochu maintains strategic partnerships throughout China, Southeast Asia, India and Australia, and its offices in New York, London, São Paulo and Singapore support cross-border trade and investment. The company’s real estate portfolio includes urban development projects in Tokyo, London and Shanghai, and its finance and insurance businesses provide leasing, project finance and asset management services to corporate and public-sector clients.
Over its 160-year history, Itochu has transformed from a family-run textile trader into a modern global conglomerate. Under President & CEO Masahiro Okafuji, who took the helm in 2020, the company has emphasized digital innovation, sustainability and ESG integration across its businesses. Itochu is publicly traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and also available to international investors via its OTC listing, reflecting its commitment to transparency and global capital markets.
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