se7enW
Back to Which
🏆 which

Which Is the Oldest Company in the World?

businesshistoryjapan

Quick Answer

Kongō Gumi, a Japanese construction firm founded in 578 AD, is widely regarded as the oldest company in the world.

The Full Story

Kongō Gumi was founded in Osaka in 578 AD by Shigemitsu Kongō, a carpenter from the Korean kingdom of Baekje. He had been invited by Prince Shōtoku to help build Shitennō-ji, one of Japan's first Buddhist temples. The Kongō family ran the business for around 40 generations, specialising in temples and shrines. Facing heavy debts, the company became a subsidiary of the Takamatsu Construction Group in 2006 but continues to operate. Japan is home to thousands of businesses that are more than a century old.

Key Facts

1.Shitennō-ji temple still stands in Osaka, though it has been rebuilt several times.
2.The Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan inn, founded in 705 AD, is recognised as the oldest hotel.
3.Long-lived Japanese firms are known as shinise.

YouTube Angle

Suggested video title for this topic:

"A company older than most countries — the 1,400-year story of Kongō Gumi."

Was this answer helpful?

Tap a reaction — it helps us pick what to cover next.