Our History
Two Century Tradition for Innovation with Client-Focus
Travel back two centuries to the year of Shimizu's foundation, and you will encounter a much different world. But, visit the carpentry shop of temple-wright Kisuke Shimizu in the early 1800's, and you will recognize the client-focus and innovation that continues today. Explore our Founder's World in Early 1800's.....
Even in feudal Japan, businesses only succeeded by earning the trust of their clients. Kisuke's participation in building the West Wing of Edo Castle for the Shogun played a major role in winning the confidence and patronage of the ruling class of Samurai.
Thus the company was born with a motto so powerful and so timeless that it continues to propel it forward, even today.
Back to the Early Days
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Sumitsubo (Ink Instrument), operated by stretching an inked string, this tool was indispensible for positioning walls and beams. The photograph shows an example of a Sumitsubo used in 1636 during the Kanei Period (1624-1643) by the designer of the Nikko Toshogu, Korabungo-no-kami-Munehiro as part of the framework raising ceremony for the Toshogu Honjido. |
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| 1804 | Founder Kisuke Shimizu establishes the company in Kanda Kaji-cho, Edo (present-day Tokyo). |
Company founder Kisuke Shimizu |
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| 1838 | Participated in construction of western section of Edo Castle in Tokyo. | ||
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| 1859 | Began operations in newly opened port of Yokohama and acquired expertise in Western construction technology. |
Tsukiji Hotel (1868) |
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| 1868 | Constructed Japan's first Western-style hotel, Tsukiji Hotel. | ||
| 1872 | Built the structure for Japan's first bank, the Dai-Ichi National Bank. |
The Dai-Ichi National Bank (1872) |
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| 1915 | Transformed from private management to corporation, and renamed Shimizu Gumi. | ||
| 1917 | Completed Yokohama Port Opening Memorial Hall. |
Yokohama Port Opening Memorial Hall (1917) |
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| 1920 | Completed The Industry Club of Japan Building. |
The Industry Club of Japan Building (1920) |
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| 1937 | Reorganized as Shimizu Gumi, Ltd. | ||
| 1944 | Research and Development Section established within Design Division. | ||
| 1948 | Renamed Shimizu Construction Co., Ltd. |
Restoration of the Kabuki-za Theatre (1951) |
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1951 | Completion of restoration work on the Kabuki-za Theatre. | |
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1962 | Shares listed on first section of Tokyo Stock Exchange. |
Tokaido Shinkansen Shizuoka Station Overpass (1964) |
| 1964 | Completed Tokaido Shinkansen Shizuoka Station Overpass. Completed Yoyogi National Stadium for the Olympics. |
Yoyogi National Stadium (1964) |
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| 1966 | Completed The Keidanren Building. |
The Keidanren Building (1966) |
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1973 | Construtora Shimizu do Brazil Ltda. established, the first step in the formation of local subsidiaries around the world. | |
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1980 | Awarded the Prime Minister Prize of the Japan Industrial Technology Grand Prix for developing and building large-scale underground LNG storage tanks. |
Makuhari City Center (1989) |
| 1989 | Completed Makuhari Messe in the new city center of Makuhari in Chiba. | ||
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| 1995 | Completed refurbishment and joining of DN Tower 21 project joining Dai-ichi Seimei Building and The Norinchukin Bank's Yurakucho Building. |
DN Tower 21 (Dai-Ichi·Nochu Building) (1995) |
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| 1997 | Began construction of the Aqua-Line tunnel across Tokyo Bay and Umihotaru (An artificial island used as a rest station on the Aqua-Line). |
Umihotaru (1997) |
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| 1998 | Received ISO9001 certification in Japan. Completed Japan's leading Electromagnetic Environment Laboratory at Shimizu's Institute of Technology. |
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| 1999 | Received ISO14001 certification in Japan. Received orders for Japan's first PFI business (Kanamachi Water Purification Plant, Bureau of Waterworks, Tokyo Metropolitan Government). |
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| 2001 | Completed Acoustic Laboratory at Shimizu's Institute of Technology. | ||
| 2003 | 200 years since Shimizu was established. Completed new main building at Shimizu's Institute of Technology. |
Shimizu's Institute of Technology (2003) |
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| 2005 | Practical application (in the Wind Tunnel Testing Laboratory in Shimizu's Institute of Technology) of Partial Float, the world's first base isolation structure utilizing the buoyancy of water. | ||
| 2006 | Construction of Bai Chai Bridge in Vietnam, possessing the longest span in the world for a single plane PC cable stayed bridge. | ||
| 2007 | Terminal 3 at Singapore Changi Airport completed. Total floor area is 550,000 square meters. | ||
| 2009 | Urban revitalization project linked to the Otemachi 1-chome Redevelopment Project—Construction of the Nippon Keidanren Hall and Head Office of the Nihon Keizai Shimbun Inc. Sharp Green Front, Sakai LCD Panel Plant completed. |
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| 2010 | Long-term vision "Smart Vision 2010" developed. Tokyo International Airport D-runway completed. |
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| 2011 | JR Hakata City completed. | ||
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