umitomo Corporation’s history dates back to the 17th century, when Masatomo Sumitomo opened a book and medicine shop in Kyoto. Masatomo wrote and left for posterity a document entitled “Monjuin Shiigaki (Founder’s Precepts),” describing how a merchant should conduct business. Forming the basis of Sumitomo’s Business Philosophy of pursuing integrity and sound management rather than easy gains, these teachings have been passed down and adhered to across the Sumitomo Group for 400 years, right up until today.