1872

The company moves to Shizuoka Prefecture in order to continue to supply bittern. They also begin 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 attempts to market this product as “heavy magnesium carbonate” to limited success.

1877

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

1879

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

1881

The company obtains a license for magnesium carbonate from the British Bureau and a license for ether from the U.S. Bureau.

1885

In order to secure and maintain the production of bittern, a facility is built in Hamana, Shizuoka Prefecture so that sun-dried salt production could begin. While the land was secured, the production eventually must be discontinued when the price of salt plummets, which affects the pharmaceutical industry upon which the company relies.

1887

Just as the business was beginning to take off, the factory burns down. The company loses not only its machinery but also all of its research materials, and has no choice but to cease operations.

1888

Re-examined the ten Salt Fields in the Setouchi area. Reached the conclusion that establishing a pharmaceutical plant in ten Salt Fields region would be an efficient way to secure bitterness.

1895

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

1896

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

1897

The name of the factory is changed to “Tomita Pharmaceutical Factory.”

1914

Against the background of World War I and Japan’s resulting supply shortage, potassium chloride increases in demand. It is successfully isolated from bittern and subsequently manufactured.

1917

Reorganizes products, focusing on the production of magnesium carbonate, potassium chloride, and bromine and establishing factories.

1918

Due to developments in the rubber industry, the company succeeds in producing magnesium carbonate for processing transparent rubber while meeting the increasing demand for magnesium carbonate.

1919

Obtains permission to manufacture sodium chloride, which was in short supply after WWI, and begins manufacturing sodium chloride again (Special Permit No. 1).

1921

The invention of the concrete assembly-type Numai-dai (swamp well platform) contributes to the improvement of salt manufacturing technology in the Irigaki salt fields, and a subsidy is granted to the company for promoting the propagation and industrial development of the industry.

1927

Hisasaburo leaves for an 8-month tour of the West (Germany) for pharmaceutical research. Hisasaburo (age 76).

1931

In response to the postwar recession, Kyusaburo researches magnesium carbonate manufacturing methods. He succeeds in the industrialization of a manufacturing method for lime, and also perfected the manufacturing method for magnesium oxide.

1939

Sales of the health regulating agent Robaston.

1941

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

1942

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

1943

Receive an order from the Navy to produce strontium.

1945

The company begins 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 researches and develops a wide range of products for which it is 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 begins marketing “Macron tablets,” an anthelmintic with an active ingredient of seaweed extract.
Also, using by-products from textile mills, the company begins producing anhydrous sodium sulfate in 1949 and sodium sulfide in 1951.

1955

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

*The 1950s 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 is affected by the bankruptcy of its main customers and the resulting industry fallout. During the high-growth period of the Japanese economy, Tomita’s business conditions remain tense.

1960

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

1962

Start trade with Korea and Taiwan.

1965

Develop magnesium metasilicate aluminate as an antacid agent.

1966

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

1966

Management policy is formulated into a long-term plan under the guidance of Tanabe Management Counseling Center. Establish a company motto, creed, and slogan. A management policy presentation meeting is held, and the corporate structure is enhanced and improved.

1968

Develop “Wakame Tea” using wakame seaweed, a specialty of Naruto City, and register it as a trademark. However, the market response is weak and the company abandons the commercialization of the product.

1973

Develop and begin sale of Uni-Meisui, a natural liquor clarifier made from carrageenan.

1982

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

1985

Develop and market imported sun-dried crystal salt. “Salt of Naruto-Hama”.
Develop and market “YUAMI” medicated bath salts and carbonated foaming tablets.

1986

Start 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. Start production and sale of the synthetic adsorbent TOMIX-AD and high-performance adsorbent Q-Fine series.

1990

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

2008

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