This exhibit highlights the unwavering commitment of founder Ichibee Furukawa to the mining industry, as well as the remarkable growth of the Ashio Copper Mine over just seven years.

This video presentation reveals the philosophy and humanity of Ichibee Furukawa.
Theater A: The Life of Ichibee Furukawa – Signpost to the Ashio Copper Mine (approx. 14 min)
Theater B: Travelogue of Ichibee Furukawa (approx. 6 min)

The exhibition presents the development of the copper mines in Ashio.

These videos introduce the infrastructure developed during copper mine development. (Approx. 4 minutes each)
Mapping A: Growth of Ashio Town
Mapping B: Progress of Copper Mine Development
Mapping C: Expansion of the Transportation Network

This exhibition showcases the formation of a mining town ahead of its time, the vibrant daily life of its people, the four major construction projects of the Ashio Copper Mine (Furukawa Bridge, Mato Hydroelectric Power Plant, installation of the Water-Jacket Blast Furnace, and the Aerial Cableway), as well as the safety initiatives that placed “Safety First” at the core of operations.

The Birthplace of Safety

The concept of “Safety First” originated and spread from the Ashio Copper Mine in Japan. In 1912 (Meiji 45), Masayuki Odagawa (later become the 10th Director of the Ashio Mining Office) returned from a business trip to the United States, bringing back the concept of “SAFETY FIRST,” which he translated it into Japanese as “安全専一” (Anzen Senichi) and implemented safety initiatives throughout the mine.

(Note: Trademark registered in March 2020 [Reiwa 3])

This exhibit explores the causes and consequences of mining pollution, often referred to as the “light and shadow” of Ashio. It presents the factors that led to the spread of damage, the evolution of government mandates for pollution prevention, and the Furukawa Group’s long-term efforts to overcome these issues.
A detailed chronological timeline accompanies the display, highlighting key events throughout this journey.

A message from Ichibee Furukawa, embodying his guiding principle of “Un Don Kon”—Luck, Stolidity, and Perseverance.
Portraits of successive Furukawa family leaders adorn the walls.

This section features dioramas of the industrial heritage sites remaining in Ashio, including the Nikkō Refinery, offering a glimpse into the legacy of the region’s mining history.