Kawasaki's DNA
Here, we will introduce the biographies of some key figures: Shozo Kawasaki, the founder of Kawasaki Dockyard (predecessor of Kawasaki Heavy Industries); Kojiro Matsukata, the first company president who implemented the diversification of management; and Hachisaburo Hirao, the third company president who strived for the welfare of employees and their families, as well as for business stabilization.
Read the history
Since our founder, Shozo Kawasaki, founded and opened Kawasaki Tsukiji Shipyard in Tsukiji, Tokyo, Kawasaki Heavy Industries has been developing a wide range of technologies, products, and services to solve social issues on land, sea, and air for over 120 years. Here, we present the trajectory of Kawasaki Heavy Industries, from its beginnings to the present, separated by era. Up to the present, we have encountered numerous severe challenges, but we have overcome them using the wisdom, attempts, and endeavors of our predecessors, as well as support from around us.
Kawasaki Genealogy
Our company was in the shipbuilding industry, but as domestic production modernized, we entered new business fields one after another and expanded our business operations. You can sense that genealogy through our History and Organizational Changes pages.
Employees Commuting
Employees Commuting was painted in 1896 by Fumihiko Take, a former auditor of the company. It depicts employees crossing a bridge over the old Minato River on their way to work at the shipyard (now the Kobe Works).
History of the business
Here, we present the history of each of our businesses, from their beginning to the present, in History of Divisions.
Kawasaki in the video
With the philosophy of “Contributing to the nation—to society—through expertise,” our founder, Shozo Kawasaki, opened the Kawasaki Tsukiji Shipyard in Tsukiji, Tokyo in 1878, and founded Kawasaki Dockyard Co., Ltd. in Kobe in 1896. Thereafter the company changed its name to Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd., to reflect the diversification of its operations. Over 120 years, we have leveraged innovative technologies to continue developing new products and businesses with the aim of solving social issues and increasing enterprise value.
Digital Museum
Here, we have published various materials about our company’s history in PDF format. Please refer to these if you would like to view more detailed materials.
Kawasaki World
Located in Kobe City, "Kawasaki World," the corporate museum of the Kawasaki Heavy Industries Group, offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy learning about notable Kawasaki products through sight and touch while experiencing the wonders of technology and the importance of manufacturing.