Top News

world's oldest companyImage Credit source: gemini

Whenever we talk about the world's oldest and biggest companies, pictures of Britain's East India Company or other big business houses of Europe often emerge in our imagination. But you will be surprised to know that the stronghold of the world's oldest companies is not Europe but Japan. There is a company which has been working continuously for more than 1400 years.

The name of this company is Kongo Gumi and its foundation was laid in 578 AD. Just think, this was the period when many big empires of the world had not even been formed and many religions were emerging. This company, which was started during that period, is still active in the construction sector with full strength. What is even more surprising is that the reins of this company remained in the hands of the same family for almost 14 centuries.

business of historical buildings

The company primarily specializes in the construction, repair and maintenance of Buddhist temples, Shinto (places of worship) and other traditional and historical buildings. In its more than 1400-year history, the company has worked on many famous Japanese buildings, including Osaka's Shitennō-ji temple, which the company was the first to build.

Along with passing down traditional construction techniques from generation to generation, Kongo Gumi has also adopted modern techniques over time. Due to financial difficulties in 2006, it became a subsidiary of Takamatsu Construction Group, but today it still continues its core function, i.e. the construction and preservation of temples and cultural heritage sites.

The real purpose is the legacy of generations.

There is a fundamental difference in the thinking of the Western business world and Japan. While in Western countries the emphasis is on rapid growth of companies and then exit by selling them, in Japan business is seen as an endless game. The objective here is not just to earn profits this quarter or this year, but to leave a stable and reliable legacy for future generations.

Japan is home to the world's four oldest companies

Congo Gumi is not alone in this tradition. Japan is home to four of the oldest companies in the world. Hoshi Ryokan, established in 718 AD, is still active in the hotel business and is famous worldwide for its hospitality. Similarly, Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan is also a hotel which has been providing its services for centuries. Genda Shigyo, a company that makes traditional paper decorative items, was started in 771 AD and even today its products are an important part of the rituals of Shinto religion.