1872

Moved in Shizuoka Prefecture in order to continue to procure bittern. He also began research into sodium carbonate, the main raw material for magnesium carbonate.
After repeated failures, they achieved the creation of magnesium carbonate, but it had less bulk than the intended result. The company attempted to market this product as “heavy magnesium carbonate” but it was not accepted in a market.

1877

Pure magnesium carbonate production was at last achieved after thorough review of the manufacturing process and development of equipments. Acetic acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, ether, and other chemicals and also under production.

1879

Kyuzaburo (age 28) went to the Jishu salt fields (near the Seto Inland Sea) in search of a large amount of bittern. At that time, in the Jishu salt fields, after salt was extracted from seawater, the remaining bittern was discarded into the sea.
The factory operation in Kiga, Shizuoka failed in mass production and was closed, but the business and research continued.

1881

Magnesium carbonate became official for British Pharmacopoeia and ether became officlal for US Pharmacopeia.

1885

In order to secure and maintain the production of bittern, a facility was built in Hamana, Shizuoka Prefecture so that sun-dried salt production could begin. While the land was secured, eventually the production was discontinued due to the steep decline of salt price, which affected our main pharmaceutical business upon which the company relied.

1887

Just as the business was beginning to take off, the factory burnt down in a fire. The company lost not only its machinery but also all of its research materials, and had no choice but to cease operations.

1888

Re-examined the Jishu salt fields in the Setouchi area. Reached the conclusion that establishing a pharmaceutical plant in the Jishu salt fields would be an efficient way to secure bittern.

1895

Participates in the 4th National industrial Exhibition held in Kyoto. Here, Tomita showcased their magnesium carbonate, magnesium carbonate(heavy), magnesium sulfide, magnesium sulfate, potassium iodide, potassium bromide, sodium bromide, and sodium chloride.

1896

A stone oven was used to extract salt from soil by boiling seawater in stone cauldrons. The salt was refined by removing the sodium sulfate contained within. It was named “Japanese salt” and sold.

1897

The name of the company was changed to Tomita Pharmaceutical Factory.

1914

Succeeded in separating and producing potassium chloride from bittern whose demand was increased due to Japan’s supply shortage after WWI.

1917

Started focusing on the poduction of magnesium carbonate, potassium chloride, and bromine by reorganizing products line-up and establishing a new factory.

1918

Succeeded in manufacturing magnesium carbonate for transparent rubber processing while responding to the increasing demand for magnesium carbonate due to the development of the rubber industry.

1919

After WWI, the production of sodium chloride, which was rapidly in short supply, was started with the permission of recrystallized salt production.

1921

The invention of the concrete assembly-type Numai-dai (swamp well platform) contributed to the improvement of salt manufacturing technology in the Irihama typesalt fields*, and a subsidy was granted to the company for promoting the propagationand industrial development of the industry.
*The cultivation of salt fields in which brine is brought through tidal action along the coast of the Inland Sea

1927

Kyuzaburo (age 76) left for an 8-month tour of Germany for pharmaceutical research.

1931

In response to the postwar recession, Kyuzaburo researched magnesium carbonate manufacturing methods. He succeeded in the industrialization of a manufacturing method of utilizing caustic lime as a starting material, and also perfected the manufacturing method for magnesium oxide.

1939

Sales of the health conditioning agent Robaston.

1941

Responding to the issuance of the “Order for Control of Daily Necessities,” the product of “bittern potassium salt” was sold as a fertilizer. Production was discontinued three years later due to Strategic Industries Control Act of the bittern industry.

1942

A ceremony commemorating Tomita’s 50th anniversary was held at the newly renovated magnesium sulfate plant.
During the WWII, it became difficult to obtain raw materials, so the company began to study the production of synthetic magnesium carbonate.

1943

Received an order from the Navy to produce strontium.

1945

The company began marketing vaccines for oral dysentery, typhoid, and paratyphoid, as well as an injectable vitamin B2 and the prophylactic drug penicillin.
The four large chimneys that had served as a symbol of the company were removed from its building during the war for fear that they would be used as air raid markers.

1946–1951

During this five-year period, the company researched and developed a wide range of products for which it was licensed to manufacture, including barium chloride, camphor oil injection, barium sulfate, Ringer’s solution, saline solution, vitamin B2 injection solution, and saline tablets. In 1947, the company began marketing “Macron tablets,” an anthelmintic with an active ingredient of seaweed extract.
Also, using by-products from textile mills, the company began producing anhydrous sodium sulfate in 1949 and sodium sulfide in 1951.

1955

Tomita Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. was established on July 8 (using the current Japanese name), with Teizaburo Tomita as representative director.

*During this period, it were marked by disaster, including the Nankai Earthquake in 1946, a fire at a magnesium carbonate drying plant in 1948, a fire at a salt brine refinery in 1949, and Typhoon Jane in 1950.

1956

The company was affected by the bankruptcy of its main customers and the resulting dishonored check. Even during the high-growth period of the Japanese economy, Tomita’s business conditions remained tense.

1960

As a challenge in a new field, the company developed and sold an organic hair straightening agent, “Ammonium Thioglycolate.” Sales were poor, and production was discontinued due to damage to the manufacturing equipment caused by the second Muroto Typhoon in 1961.

1962

Started trade with Korea and Taiwan.

1965

Developed magnesium metasilicate aluminate as an antacid agent.

1966

Started trade with Hong Kong, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Australia.

1966

Management policy was formulated into a long-term plan under the guidance of Tanabe Management Counseling Center. Established “Company Policy,” “Creed,” and “Corporate Mission Statement.” A management policy presentation meeting was held, and the corporate structure was enhanced and improved.

1968

Developed “Wakame Tea” using wakame seaweed, a specialty of Naruto City, and registered it as a trademark. However, the market response was weak and the company abandoned the commercialization of the product.

1973

Developed and began sale of Uni-Meisui, a natural liquor clarifier made from carrageenan.

1982

Research was initiated on the production of gluconic acid from mold fungi.

1985

Developed and marketed imported sun-dried crystal salt “Salt of Naruto-Hama,” and “YUAMI” which was medicated bath slats(carbonated foaming tablets).

1986

Started joint research with the Agency of Industrial Science and Technology and the Shikoku National Industrial Research Institute on pore size control technology for inorganic salts. Started production and sale of the synthetic adsorbent TOMIX-AD and high-performance adsorbent Q-Fine series.

1990

Tomita was contracted to produce powdered artificial seawater “Marine Art” in collaboration with Senju Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

2008

Began operation of the Kawasaki Plant, a plant dedicated to the production of sodium chloride.
Completion of magnesium oxide production building.