History

HISTORY

Over 110 Years of History
in Japan’s Automotive Industry since 1913

Corporate History

HISTORY

1913 Taisho 2

Ryozo Yanagida founded Empire Motor Co. in Nihonbashi, Tokyo (present-day 2-2 Nihonbashidori, Chuo-ku), importing and selling Empire and Crow-Elkhart automobiles.

1925 Taisho 14

With the launch of Japan Ford Motor Co., became an authorized Ford dealer; opened a Shibaura service station; and partnered with Banzai Trading (now BANZAI LTD.) to handle non-Ford parts and workshop tools.

1933 Showa 8

Established Oasis Gasoline Service Station (now New Oasis Co., Ltd.).

1939 Showa 14

Incorporated as Empire Motor Co., Ltd.

1945 Showa 20

Head office and store were partially damaged during the war; after the war, resumed wholesale and export of parts and accessories.

1946 Showa 21

Became Japan general agent for trailers, buses, and trucks made by Hino Sangyo (now Hino Motors, Ltd.).

1948 Showa 23

Established New Empire Motor Co., Ltd. and reinstated Ford agency rights.

1950 Showa 25

Capital: JPY 6 million. Established Kanto Hino Diesel Sales Co., Ltd. (now Tokyo Hino Motor Sales Co., Ltd.), transferring agency rights for Hino Heavy Industries.

1971 Showa 46

Capital: JPY 201.6 million. Head office relocated from Nihonbashi to Hatchōbori.

1972 Showa 47

Established Empire Building Co., Ltd.; new Empire Building (head office) completed.

1973 Showa 48

Opened a U.S. representative office. Minao Ueshima became Chairman; Kakuhei Iwanami appointed President.

1976 Showa 51

Established local subsidiary Empire Industries Pte. Ltd. in Singapore.

1977 Showa 52

Introduced a large mainframe (UNIVAC 1106); completed a nationwide online real-time network.

1983 Showa 58

Opened the Omiya Distribution Center; compiled the 70th-anniversary company history.

2006 Heisei 18

Opened a Bangkok representative office.

2009 Heisei 21

Established local subsidiary Empire Motor (Bangkok) Co., Ltd. in Thailand.

2013 Heisei 25

April 10: Celebrated the 100th anniversary.

2017 Heisei 29

New head-office Empire Building completed.

1913
1925
1933
1939
1945
1946
1948
1950
1971
1972
1973
1976
1977
1983
2006
2009
2013
2017

100th ANNIVERSARY

Reflecting on a Century of Progress

Since our founding in 1913, Empire Motor Co., Ltd. has grown as a comprehensive wholesaler of automotive parts and accessories, guided by our mission “to create a safer, more comfortable car life.” Beginning with imported vehicles, we expanded through partnerships with domestic and overseas manufacturers, postwar rebuilding, and business growth to build a nationwide network. Our “Empire Motor 100-Year History” is available in digital form, showcasing the challenges and innovations that have shaped each era.