--- description: MAKERS OF MODERN JAPAN title: Global Kigyo - TIME - Partner Content - MAKERS OF MODERN JAPAN image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt53e79ae4cf2ad7ca/6a457414fdd196583bb2cb2b/Page_7_image_1_(2).png?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9%2Coffset-x0.00%2Coffset-y0.00 --- # MAKERS OF MODERN JAPAN  Japan is synonymous with longevity. The country has one of the highest life expectancies in the world, while Japanese products are renowned for their durability, from rugged automobile engines to no-nails construction techniques, built through over-engineering and an obsession with precision. The nation is also home to a remarkable number of 50, 100 and even 200-year-old companies, shaped by family-oriented succession and the principle of _sampo yoshi_—good for the seller, good for the buyer, good for society. Long before corporate social responsibility became a global buzzword, Japanese firms were already playing the long game.  Here are several thoughts from leaders of long-lived firms: **Tanabe Kenden, founded 61 years ago.** “Our expertise goes back to my father, Shunichi Tanabe. In 1984, he was invited by Platinum Guild International to give a special lecture. The knowledge he accumulated over many years has since been incorporated into our platinum casting products,” said President Harumi Tanabe. **Nodaki, founded 119 years ago.** “Through successive generations, our company has maintained quality. I am the sixth generation of presidents at Nodaki. I learned that customers and employees need to be at the forefront of any business decisions,” said President Noritsugu Noda. **Marukome, founded 172 years ago.** “As a long-established, family-run company, we are accustomed to taking a long-term perspective, often engaging in projects that span decades. We believe it is our responsibility to work towards a more sustainable food future,” said President Tokio Aoki. **Kiyoken, founded 118 years ago.** “Our first president, created _shiumai_ (dumplings) as a signature Yokohama souvenir 98 years ago. Since then, they have accompanied people in many settings—as a travel companion, or something to enjoy during cherry blossom season,” said President and CEO Akira Nonami. Global Kigyo - TIME - Partner Content - MAKERS OF MODERN JAPAN ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/branded-content/global-kigyo/makers-of-modern-japan/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/branded-content/global-kigyo/makers-of-modern-japan/"},"headline":"MAKERS OF MODERN JAPAN","datePublished":"2026-07-01T20:18:56.920Z","dateModified":"2026-07-01T20:18:44.102Z","description":"MAKERS OF MODERN JAPAN","url":"https://time.com/branded-content/global-kigyo/makers-of-modern-japan/","keywords":[],"thumbnailUrl":"","author":[],"articleSection":"","image":[],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/branded-content/global-kigyo/makers-of-modern-japan/","name":"MAKERS OF MODERN JAPAN"}}]}] ```