The eight Japanese trading companies, also known as “sogo shosha”, are Mitsubishi Corporation, Mitsui Corporation, Hitachi Corporation, Itochu Corporation, Sumitomo Corporation, Marubeni Corporation, Toyota Tsusho, and Sojitz Corporation. Together these firms reported nearly US$600 billion in assets under management in 2023.
These companies are global, with positions in key markets geographically, and are a unique group with a number of investments in water. Bluefield President and Podcast Host Reese Tisdale and Bluefield’s Senior Analyst Ethan Edwards discuss three major questions surrounding the role of these companies within water:
- How are Japanese trading houses strategically positioned in the global water market, and what factors contribute to their investments in water-related assets?
- What role do Japanese trading houses play in driving technological advancements and innovations in water management?
- What are the notable collaborations between Japanese trading houses and local or international entities in the water sector?
“These are massive firms, almost battleships of organizations. They’ve been at it for so long that they’ve accumulated a wide network that spans globally. Together, they wield a significant influence across a wide network of industries.”
–Ethan Edwards, Senior Analyst, Bluefield Research
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Related Research & Analysis:
- Japanese Trading Companies: Portfolio Strategies and Analysis
- Global Desalination: Market Trends, Ownership Rankings, and Forecast, 2022–2028
- COVID-19 Wastewater Analysis Gains Traction
Companies Mentioned
Bristol WaterHitachi CorporationItochu CorporationKurita Water IndustriesMarubeni CorporationMitsubishi CorporationMitsui GroupOsaka GasPennon GroupSES WaterSojitz CorporationSumitomo CorporationThames WaterToyota Tsusho Corporation
The Future of Water
The Future of Water podcast series is where Bluefield water experts talk about all the ways in which companies, utilities, and people are addressing the challenges and opportunities in water. Thank you for listening. Refer your colleagues. Please give us a review on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify.
