A55 They have expanded their areas of operation to reflect Japan's economic growth. In modern Japan, as the main industries were light industries such as foodstuffs and textiles, most trading company activities started in these areas. During the period of Japan's rapid economic growth, the activities of trading companies expanded into the areas of steel, chemicals, shipbuilding and electronics.

Following the two oil shocks (1973, 1979), one of the most important roles for trading companies became the provision of

To Diversifying trading companies large-scale projects in Middle East oil-producingcountries related to the development and importation of oil and gas, as well as the export of equipment and plant. In 1985, following the Plaza Accord, which triggered the rapid and continuous appreciation of the yen against the U.S. dollar, it became very difficult for manufacturing industries to continue to make products in Japan and export them. This accelerated the transfer of manufacturing bases overseas.

Trading companies with sales networks around the world thus came to play an important role. Due to Japan's trade surplus and the need to correct its trade imbalance, Japan expanded its imports. Trading companies recently have become involved in a broad range of activities including IT-related industries, the satel-lite communications business and environment-related businesses, and have also invested in convenience stores, shopping malls, large-scale supermarkets and other everyday life-related industries.