Marubeni

Founded in 1858, Marubeni Corporation (TSE: 8002) is one of the largest Japanese trading companies. The company's operations encompass domestic, import/export, offshore trade and investment activities ranging from the development of natural resources to the retail marketing of finished products. The company conducts these operations through a worldwide business network of 124 offices in 74 countries. For the year ended 31 March 2005, Marubeni's consolidated gross sales were US$74.2 billion with net profit of US$385 million.