Group History

1926

1926
Mutual Trading Co., Inc. is inaugurated, and locates a half mile east to Little Tokyo in Los Angeles, California. The founding president, Sadagoro Hoshizaki starts the company to establish a co-op purchasing and import channel for the ten or so Japanese grocery store owners.

1941

On December 7, upon the outbreak of the war between US ...
On December 7, upon the outbreak of the war between US and Japan, Mutual Trading ceases all operations.

1946

1946
Mutual resumes business quickly after the end of the war, made possible only through the goodwill by the Sisters of Maryknoll Catholic Church nearby, who had safely sheltered Mutual's entire warehouse stock during the war.

1948

Noritoshi Kanai teams up with Chuhei Ishii in Tokyo ...
Noritoshi Kanai teams up with Chuhei Ishii in Tokyo, forming an import-export business alliance and marking the birth of Tokyo Kyodo Boeki K. K.

1955

Chuhei Ishii, relocates to Los Angeles as the second ...
Chuhei Ishii, relocates to Los Angeles as the second President of Mutual Trading.

1965

1965
Noritoshi Kanai immigrates to US with his family as General Manager of Mutual Trading to manage the business for the ailing Chuhei Ishii. Mutual Trading becomes the first company in the world to freeze Edamame, and the first to import them to America. Still with only seven Japanese restaurants in Little Tokyo, Mutual develops a Sushi bar business concept with Kawafuku and Eigiku Restaurants, the first in the US.

1967

Richard Akira Inaba becomes the third President of Mutual Trading ...
Richard Akira Inaba becomes the third President of Mutual Trading. Mutual marks a culinary breakthrough by debuting Kanto style Japanese cuisine with selection of Tonkatsu, Japanese curry, Gyoza, and Edomae Sushi.

1968

1968
Mutual relocates to the current office-warehouse in an industrial district on Crocker Street.

1973

New York Mutual Trading Co., Inc. opens ...
New York Mutual Trading Co., Inc. opens for business with an office in New Jersey, and a showroom in Manhattan, New York.

1976

Miyako Oriental Foods, a Miso manufacturing plant, is established ...
Miyako Oriental Foods, a Miso manufacturing plant, is established under joint venture with Yamajirushi Jozo. Mutual Trading advises Yamamotoyama in establishing a tea processing plant in an adjacent property building. Noritoshi Kanai becomes Mutual's fourth President.

1977

Toyo Suisan, in collaboration with Mutual Trading, ...
Toyo Suisan, in collaboration with Mutual Trading, begins Maruchan Instant Ramen production at a plant located in Irvine, California.

1978

Kyodo Food Processing operation begins ...
Kyodo Food Processing operation begins, specializing in fresh seafood processing.

1979

1979
Los Angeles Mutual opens showroom specializing in Japanese restaurant supplies.

1982

New York Mutual Trading expands and relocates ...
New York Mutual Trading expands and relocates to Lyndhurst, New Jersey. Miyako Oriental Foods relocates to a Baldwin Park, California facility equipped with a 1,000 metric ton capacity. In Berkeley, California, Takara USA begins brewing Shochikubai Sake.

1985

Corroborative efforts between Morinaga America ...
Corroborative efforts between Morinaga America and Mutual Trading bring the first shelf-stable Tofu, Moni-Nu Tofu.

1988

1988
The Cherry Company in Honolulu joins the Mutual Group.

1994

Mutual's long time affiliate, Yamasa Shoyu Company arrives ...
Mutual's long time affiliate, Yamasa Shoyu Company arrives in the US, opening a plant in Salem, Oregon.

1995

1995
On January 17, the Hanshin-Awajishima earthquake strikes Japan, completely leveling the Tokyo Kyodo Boeki Kobe office. Urashima Nori Company and Mutual Trading join forces to establish Urashima USA in Walnut, California, a packing operation for Nori and Furikake products. Los Angeles Mutual Trading holds the first Japanese chinaware and restaurant supply show.

1996

Following extensive repairs, the Kobe office reopens ...
Following extensive repairs, the Kobe office reopens for business. Los Angeles Mutual Trading reaches a 70-year milestone anniversary, and celebrates with a commemorative trip to Las Vegas for all employees. Japanese restaurants in the greater Los Angeles area total 4,000.

1998

Boston Mutual Trading office opens in Boston, Massachusetts ...
Boston Mutual Trading office opens in Boston, Massachusetts.

1999

Arizona Mutual Trading office and warehouse opens in Phoenix, Arizona ...
Arizona Mutual Trading office and warehouse opens in Phoenix, Arizona.

2004

Constructs the revolutionary , advanced technology super ...
Constructs the revolutionary , advanced technology super freezer at -65 degrees Celsius, -75 degrees Fahrenheit, and launches the next generation in seafoods - the "fresher than fresh" ULTS Ultra Low Temperature Seafoods.

2007

San Diego Mutual Trading office and warehouse ...
San Diego Mutual Trading office and warehouse opens in Poway, California.

2008

Las Vegas Mutual Trading office and warehouse opens ...
Las Vegas Mutual Trading office and warehouse opens in Las Vegas, Nevada. Sushi Instutude of America established by Founder and Charman, Noritoshi Kanai, President of Mutual Trading Group Companies, and head of School & Executive Instructor Katsuya Uechi, Owner & Executive Chef of KATSUYA RESTAURANT GROUP.in Los Angeles, California. New York Mutual Trading Showroom opens in NYC, New York