Carrying forward a pioneering legacy
in Japan’s motorization— and creating a safer,
more comfortable car life for the next era
From 1913 (Taisho 2): laying the groundwork for motorization in Japan
The history of Empire Motor Co., Ltd. begins in 1913 (Taisho 2), when our founder Ryozo Yanagida imported the Empire and Crow-Elkhart automobiles from Detroit as an early pioneer of Japan’s motorization.
In the industry’s formative years, replacement parts—especially electrical items such as bulbs—were in short supply. We grew as a specialist distributor of replacement parts and, today, our main field is the automotive aftermarket, wholesaling parts and accessories to parts distributors, service shops, and home-center chains across Japan.
Looking back, we take pride in having helped lay the foundation of Japan’s motorization even before the rise of today’s world-class domestic manufacturers.
Our role as infrastructure for safety, security, and comfort
In business, few models endure for a century. The auto industry is a rare exception: since Model T mass production in the early 1900s, it has been woven into everyday life and culture. At the same time, the industry is now in a once-in-a-century transformation, and the products we handle are evolving rapidly.
Amid this shift, we uphold our corporate philosophy: Enduring Values, Daily Innovation, and Creating a Safe and Comfortable Car Life. Enduring Values means relationships of trust with our partners remain our bedrock. Daily Innovation means we continually adapt to change. Creating a Safe and Comfortable Car Life expresses our commitment to supporting the mobility ecosystem itself.
Even as technology and product forms change, as long as vehicles run, maintenance parts and accessories will be needed. We will continue to supply them on the strength of trusted partnerships—because supporting safety, security, and comfort in everyday mobility is our mission.
Nurturing people and aiming to be a 200- and 300-year company
Upon becoming President, I set out three management pillars and shared them company-wide:
- 1. Be a company society needs.
- 2. Be a company where employees find meaning in their work.
- 3. Fully leverage our management resources—especially people.
These pillars are interdependent; none stands alone. Above all, we are investing in talent development and improving compensation and working conditions.
Today, an estimated 80 million vehicles—including motorcycles—are on the road in Japan. With the declining birthrate and aging population, the total vehicle parc is expected to trend downward over the long term. Even in this environment, we intend to expand our core wholesale business in automotive parts and accessories and continue to grow. To do so, we will respond to new mobility products and services while developing new businesses and broadening our overseas operations. Looking further ahead, our goal is for Empire Motor to remain in business 100—indeed, 200—years from now.
- 【Profile of the President】
- After graduating from university, Atsushi Kamihashi joined Empire Motor Co., Ltd. in 1984 (Showa 59) and was assigned to the then Nagoya Branch (now Nagoya Office). He spent 23 years working in Nagoya, gaining extensive experience in sales and customer relations, before moving to the Head Office, where he served in the Sales Division and Corporate Planning Division. In 2021, he was appointed President and CEO of the company.