The 1960s welcomed in the era of high-speed economic growth through trade and capital liberalization, and Japan's industrial system pressed ahead with expansion in terms of both quality and quantity. As fundamental support for the industrial activity which was responding to the needs of this period, Mitsui & Co. aimed to secure a stable supply of foodstuffs, raw materials for industrial use and energy resources such as oil and coal for the domestic economy by positively engaging in overseas mining development and import business. Meanwhile, in the domestic economy the company actively raised the efficiency of logistics business and constructed a new industrial system that integrated and provided a consistent flow for the whole business process from raw material extraction to finished product, "from upstream to downstream", as it is known.

The 1970s saw the world hit by oil shocks, and Japan's economy recorded negative growth for the first time in the postwar era, as did many other national economies. Under these difficult conditions, the natural gas projects which Mitsui & Co. had promoted prior to the oil shocks increased in importance as alternative energy sources and for the decentralization of supply routes.
Utilizing the company's extensive overseas network, Mitsui & Co. developed its finesse for international business through the export of oil refineries to oil-producing countries, as well as supplying all kinds of machinery and manpower, raising investment capital and being fully active in training engineers and product sales.

The importance of securing resources on a global scale increased, and research and development of new technologies was spurred on.
Understanding this, Mitsui & Co. emphasized three fields during the 1980s as having top priority:
The first was the energy field, where the company was actively involved in the effective utilization of resources and development of new resources. Then there was the machinery field, where Mitsui & Co. made significant efforts in materials and technology innovation, focusing especially on communications and electronics. Also, in new industrial fields with strong prospects for high growth, the company invested human resources and capital and strengthened its development capability. At the same time, Mitsui & Co.'s market development capabilities were focused toward new markets at the forefront of the hi-tech revolution.

Improvements took place in information infrastructure, and the economy globalized drastically.
In the information industry, which has strong prospects for long-term and high growth, Mitsui & Co. began participating in next-generation communication networks with computers and communications at their core, communications satellite business and both domestic and international communications service business.
Subsequently, the company also developed businesses which firmly embraced markets revitalized by the informatization of industry and deregulation.

Since 2000: Challenges and creativity in new fields; advancing integrated strengths

In the 21st century, "real integrative strength" is being demanded of corporations. Taking advantage of its ability to provide solutions born from the fusion of its wide-ranging and extensive know-how nurtured through the company's considerable experience with IT, FT and LT, Mitsui & Co. has been able to display its own "integrative strengths" and seek out business opportunities in new areas.
In the global economy, where the line between domestic and foreign has been erased, we will further improve our integrative strengths and pledge to give full play to our capabilities and continue our evolution.