Kikka Sushi history

The Oi Ocha New Haiku Contest was inaugurated in 1989.

In 1990 a second Robinson's store was opened in Utsunomiya, Tochigi prefecture.

1991: Ito-Yokado acquires a 70 percent stake in Southland Corporation, owner of the 7-Eleven chain.

Southland returned to the black by 1994, then posted steadily rising profits into the 21st century.

Despite these criticisms, however, WTO admission remained attractive for nonmembers, as evidenced by the increase in the number of members after 1995.

In 1996, a patent was obtained for this Natural Clear production method.

In April 1999, meantime, the nearly fully recovered Southland Corporation changed its name to 7-Eleven, Inc. in a move reflecting the fact that the corporation was involved in only one business.

ITO EN succeeded in developing a PET container for heated beverages that prevents this deterioration by making it difficult for oxygen to pass through the material, and in 2000 became the first in the industry to launch a green tea product in a heatable container.

The group also entered banking in May 2001, when IYBank began operations.

Thanks to the continued support of all of these people, ITO Corporation celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2013.

ITO EN was selected as one of business magazine Fortune’s "50 Companies That are Changing the World" (in the September 1, 2016 issue). ITO EN was chosen in 18th place, making it the highest-ranking of the two Japanese companies featured in the list.