Greetings
Ichibee Furukawa
（1832～1903）
The history of the Furukawa Group originated in 1875, when its founder, Furukawa Ichibee, started management of the Kusakura Copper Mine (Niigata Prefecture). In 1877, he ventured into the management of the Ashio Copper Mine (Tochigi Prefecture), which achieved a remarkable technological innovation in the history of Japan’s industrial modernization, boasting the highest copper production in the country. The Ashio Copper Mine symbolizes the founder’s unwavering commitment to and vision for mining, and also laid the foundation for the Furukawa Group’s formation through the development of new businesses, which led to its diversified management.
In 2025, on the 150th anniversary of its founding, the Furukawa Group established the General Incorporated Association Furukawa Ichibee Memorial Center to demonstrate the group’s lasting unity and to convey its founder’s passion and vision for mining. The center has reconstructed the Ashio Mining Office building at its original location and opened it as the Ashio Copper Mine Museum. The original building, completed in February 1911, was designed by the Tatsuno-Kasai Office, renowned for its work on Tokyo Station and the Bank of Japan.
The Museum exhibits the founder’s vision and dedication to mining, development of the copper mine, introduction of advanced technologies, growth of the town, challenges of mining pollution and efforts to overcome it, formation of the Furukawa Group, and reforestation efforts, tracing their progression over time.
April 2025
General Incorporated Association
Furukawa Ichibee Memorial Center
FURUKAWA CO., LTD.Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.
ADEKA CORPORATIONThe Yokohama Rubber Company, Limited
FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.Fujitsu Limited
Nippon Light Metal Holdings Company, Ltd.ZEON CORPORATION
Asahi Mutual Life Insurance CompanyMizuho Financial Group, Inc.
Purpose of the Museum
Ashio is the place where Ichibee Furukawa laid the foundation of the Furukawa Group. The Museum was built both to honor the pioneering spirit of our predecessors, who dedicated themselves to advancing the nation’s industry, and to commemorate the pivotal role that copper produced at the Ashio Copper Mine played in Japan’s modernization and its contribution to the development of social infrastructure that has supported the daily lives of people throughout the country.
The Museum was constructed as part of the Furukawa Group’s 150th anniversary project, faithfully reconstructing the former Ashio Mining Office – a core division at the time of the company’s founding – on its original site to replicate its original appearance.
Original Ashio Mining Office
(at the time of its founding)
Restored Ashio Copper Mine Museum
Exhibition Concept
The exhibition opens with the founder Ichibee Furukawa’s vision and determination. It then guides visitors through the chronological development of the Ashio Copper Mine – from its establishment to the growth of the surrounding town, and the mining pollution issues along with their eventual resolution.
Visitors will gain an appreciation of the vision and pioneering spirit that made Ashio Copper Mine Japan’s foremost copper producer, the forward – looking adoption of new technologies, and the significant role the mine played in supporting Japan’s economic growth. These experiences also convey the founding principles that continue to shape the Furukawa Group today. The exhibition also introduces the surrounding industrial heritage sites, as well as the Nikko Copper Electrolyzing Refinery.
In addition, by presenting the history of the Furukawa Group, visitors will understand the crucial role the Ashio Copper Mine played in nurturing what would become global companies.