Asahi EITO Co., Ltd.
A Japanese sanitary-ware maker with roots dating to 1716, producing toilets, washbasins and unit baths.
Last updated September 28, 2026
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Overview
Asahi EITO Co., Ltd. (アサヒ衛陶株式会社) is a Japanese manufacturer of residential water-related equipment — sanitary ware, toilets, washbasin vanities and next-generation unit baths. Its official company profile lists the current legal entity as established on 1 June 2023 with capital of 10 million yen, headquartered in the Chuo-ku district of Osaka. The business is operated within the Asahi EITO Group, under ASAHI EITO HOLDINGS CO., LTD., which appears in the company's own news releases. The company traces its origins to the Edo-period Kyoho era (from 1716), when the first generation, Shozaemon, began making smoked roof tiles in what is now Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka, under the name 'Sesshu Kawaraya Shobei'. It supplied shrine tiles to Sumiyoshi Taisha, a shrine with a history the company describes as 1,800 years, and built its identity around ceramics ('kiln industry'). Over the centuries the business moved from roof tiles into red bricks and clay pipes, and in the 1920s into toilet bowls; it adopted the name Asahi EITO in 1964 and listed on the Osaka Securities Exchange in 1967. Today Asahi EITO sells washbasin vanities, toilets and unit baths, emphasizing design variety, water and energy saving, and ease of cleaning. Its product line-up is organized around 'washbasin area', 'toilet area' and 'unit bath'. The company markets to housing and property owners, positioning its unit bath package as a way to raise property value and profitability. It operates domestic offices in Tokyo, Osaka, Chugoku-Shikoku and Kyushu, a factory in Kagawa, and an overseas sales company, VINA ASAHI Co., Ltd., in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. In recent years the group has also announced diversification into rare-gas trading through ASAHI EITO HOLDINGS, including helium and rare-gas trade discussions with high-pressure gas distributors and a Chinese industrial gas company. The company has also issued a warning about fraudulent online shopping sites impersonating it.
History
Asahi EITO's history is presented by the company as a 300-year story beginning in the Kyoho era of the Edo period (from 1716). The first generation, Shozaemon, established a roof-tile business in what is now Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka, calling himself 'Sesshu Kawaraya Shobei' and making smoked tiles. The family received the surname 'Tanji' from Sumiyoshi Taisha, to which it supplied shrine tiles. By the Meiji era the abbreviated name 'Sumikawasho' had taken hold, and the business continued making roof tiles while also producing and selling a powdered medicine known as 'Kawaraya-gusuri' until around the Taisho period. In 1921 the enterprise changed its title to 'Tanji Yogyo-sho' and discontinued tile-making, moving into red bricks and clay pipes; red brick demand was at its peak as an architectural material. In 1926 it became 'Tanji Seitosho' and entered toilet-bowl manufacturing in earnest, producing blue-glazed bowls that were nicknamed 'watermelon toilets' because the blue celadon surface contrasted with the red clay interior. In 1929 it was designated as a supplier of sewer pipes by the City of Osaka. In 1935 the Osaka Eito factory was completed and sanitary earthenware production began. A Sanuki factory in Shikoku came on stream in 1940. After World War II, reconstruction demand made blue-glazed toilets sell rapidly, and in 1948 Kagawa Yogyo was brought under the group. Research and development of flush toilets was strengthened from 1949. In 1950 the company was incorporated in Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka, as Tanji Seito Co., Ltd. with capital of 7 million yen. A tunnel kiln was installed at the Osaka plant in 1954. In 1964 the company changed its name to Asahi EITO Co., Ltd., aligning the corporate name with the 'Asahi' (rising sun) product mark that had been used consistently since sanitary-ware production began. In 1965 the Mihara factory was completed in Minamikawachi District, Osaka. In 1967 the company listed its shares on the Osaka Securities Exchange (Second Section). Production of accessory fittings began in 1968, and the Tochigi factory was completed in 1970 to expand share in the Tokyo metropolitan area. Washbasin vanity production began in 1972, initially using existing washbowls fitted into counters, before dedicated washbowls were developed. In 1975 a new head-office building was completed on the former head-office and factory site in Sumiyoshi, Osaka, and television commercials for washbasin vanities began airing on Asahi Broadcasting in July of that year. In 1976 the company launched the 'Newlet' simple flush toilet and the bird-themed 'Birdy' toilet. The head office moved to Minamikawachi District, Osaka, in 1981. The 'Sun Clean' simple flush toilet was launched in 1982, a shuttle kiln was installed in 1984, and a new tunnel kiln in 1988. The modern company profile states that the current legal entity was established on 1 June 2023 with capital of 10 million yen, headquartered at Chuo Odori FN Building in Chuo-ku, Osaka. It operates a Tokyo branch, Osaka branch, Chugoku-Shikoku sales office, Kyushu branch and Kagawa factory, and an overseas sales company, VINA ASAHI Co., Ltd., in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The company is part of the Asahi EITO Group under ASAHI EITO HOLDINGS CO., LTD., which has announced diversification into rare-gas trading, including helium and rare-gas trade agreements and discussions with high-pressure gas distributors and a Chinese industrial gas company.
- 2023
Current legal entity established on 1 June with capital of 10 million yen.
- 1988
New tunnel kiln installed.
- 1984
Shuttle kiln installed.
- 1982
'Sun Clean' simple flush toilet launched.
- 1981
Head office moved to Minamikawachi District, Osaka.
- 1976
'Newlet' simple flush toilet and bird-themed 'Birdy' toilet launched.
- 1975
New head-office building completed on the former Sumiyoshi site; TV commercials for washbasin vanities begin on Asahi Broadcasting.
- 1972
Washbasin vanity production begins.
- 1970
Tochigi factory completed to expand share in the Tokyo metropolitan area.
- 1968
Production of accessory fittings begins.
Products and positioning
A long-established Japanese sanitary-ware brand offering design-conscious, water- and energy-saving bathroom products for homes and rental properties.
Washbasin vanities
Washbasin area products offered in varied forms, colors and materials, with energy- and water-saving features.
Toilets
Water-saving toilets designed for easy daily cleaning and comfortable private spaces.
Unit baths
Next-generation unit baths combining space-saving, comfort and design, positioned to raise property value and profitability.
Sanitary earthenware and fittings
Core sanitary ware and related accessory fittings.
Sources5 sources
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