Mitsubishi

The Mitsubishi company was established as a firm by (1834–1885) in 1870. In 1873, its name was changed to Mitsubishi Shokai . The name Mitsubishi () consists of two parts: "mitsu" meaning "three" and "hishi" (which becomes "bishi" under ) meaning "" (also called "water chestnut"), and hence "", which is reflected in the company's . It is also translated as "three diamonds".

Mitsubishi was established in 1870, two years after the , with shipping as its core business. Its diversification was mostly into related fields. It entered into coal-mining to gain the coal needed for ships, bought a shipbuilding yard from the government to repair the ships it used, founded an iron mill to supply iron to the shipbuilding yard, started a business to cater for its shipping business, and so forth. Later, the managerial resources and technological capabilities acquired through the operation of shipbuilding were utilized to expand the business further into the manufacture of aircraft and equipment. Similarly, the experience of overseas shipping led the firm to enter into a trading business.

The merchant fleet entered into a period of diversification that would eventually result in the creation of three entities:

Mitsubishi Bank (now a part of the Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group) was founded in 1919. After its mergers with the Bank of Tokyo in 1996, and UFJ Holdingsin 2004, this became Japan's largest bank.

Mitsubishi Corporation, founded in 1950, Japan's largest general trading company

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, which includes these industrial companies.

Mitsubishi Motors, the sixth-largest Japan-based auto manufacturer.

Mitsubishi Atomic Industry, a nuclear power company.

Mitsubishi Chemical, the largest Japan-based chemicals company

Mitsubishi Power Systems, a power generation division

Nikon Corporation, specializing in optics and imaging.