Our 150-year History

The founder, Unokichi Nosawa, opened a retail store for foreign miscellaneous goods and curiosities in Kyobashi, Tokyo at our inception.
Later, upon its incorporation, the business was named "NOSAWA".
Unokichi Nosawa directly imported various items such as woolen and cotton textiles, glass products and more from foreign countries. He also directly exported Japanese agricultural products and wheat straw mats, breaking new ground as a pioneer in free trade that defied the norms of the time's treaty port commerce.

The Yokohama branch established a silk weaving department and began exporting silk textiles, primarily focusing on "Habutae" silk fabric.
We secured exclusive access to silk textiles from major spinning companies and exported them in large quantities to countries such as the United States and Australia.
During this period, the fabric produced in Japan had limited applications overseas. To overcome this limitation, we continuously improved the product and increased the export volume.

Established as the first overseas forward operating base.

With the opening of the London branch, thoroughbred stallions from the United Kingdom were imported and delivered to the Imperial Household Ministry. This marked the beginning of NOSAWA's live animal import business, specifically its livestock department.
After the Russo-Japanese War, the importation of stallions for the improvement and expansion of military horses was also undertaken. In 1933, breeding bulls were imported from the United States.
Through live animal imports, NOSAWA played a significant role in shaping the history of livestock farming in Japan.

In an effort to boost silk textile sales in the United States, our New York branch was established. This self-sustaining operation stationed representatives locally with inventory on hand, replenishing silk textiles as they were sold, thus pioneering the American market.

As the business expanded, a real estate division was established to mitigate unforeseen losses due to trade risks. Later, with the aim of creating 'internationally recognized ideal resort areas', property in Atami and Karuizawa was acquired. Activities included hot spring exploration, resort development, as well as road construction and environmental improvement projects.
The development was carried out in accordance with a 'Win-Win' approach, not only for one's own benefit but also ensuring that the other party also benefited, thus benefiting the local residents.

In line with the government's national policy to secure wool resources, the importation of sheep began this year.

At the request of a dairy manufacturer in Hokkaido that was setting up a cheese-dedicated factory for full-scale production, NOSAWA contracted with the Dutch company FRICO to commence the import of Gouda cheese and Edam cheese.
Even after more than 90 years, we continue our business relationship with FRICO.

Being granted permission to establish a presence in Okinawa, which was under U.S. administration, marked NOSAWA as the first trading company to do so.

Exporting household items such as Western-style tableware to the United States began.
In 1961, a tableware export base was established in Tsubame City, Niigata Prefecture. The household goods department became the largest division within NOSAWA, reaching its peak.

The first pizza restaurant opened in Japan, and due to the difficulty of importing mozzarella cheese at the time, NOSAWA actively recommended Gouda cheese as an alternative.
Established processing facilities within the group and advanced product development, including sliced cheese.

The initial purpose was to establish an animal quarantine inspection facility for cattle in Chitose, Hokkaido.
Subsequently, as expectations for imported cattle in Hokkaido grew, NOSAWA actively utilized this farm to distribute the imported dairy cattle to dairy farmers.
It facilitated the import of approximately 2,000 head of breeding cattle annually.

Entered into an exclusive sales contract for artificial insemination and embryo transfer (ET) related technologies and equipment for dairy cattle.
This enabled the implementation of a world-standard frozen semen production system, making it possible to inseminate thousands of female cattle from a single bull.

A comprehensive agency contract for the importation of frozen cattle semen with World Wide Sires (USA) and SEMEX (Canada) was successfully secured, leading to the commencement of frozen semen imports.

In the 1970s, as part of the Japanese expansion of national brands, NOSAWA was involved in importing and selling jeans fashion.
However, it later established a factory network in Hiroshima and Okayama and shifted towards domestic production. From here, production transitioned to factories in China.

The first joint venture company for NOSAWA, and the beginning of OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) operations

In collaboration with a tableware manufacturer in Tsubame City, Niigata Prefecture, NOSAWA developed its own original brand.
With a desire to spread Japanese craftsmanship to the world, NOSAWA supported the manufacturer in overseas production, giving birth to the unique knife brand "TAMAHAGANE".

Consolidated Hokkaido facilities