Japan's Oldest Supermarket "Ginbiru Store" Celebrates 70th Anniversary. Special Website Unraveling Post-War Distribution History Now Publicly Available
Ginbiru Store, one of Japan's oldest supermarkets, will celebrate its 70th anniversary on May 15, 2026. To commemorate this, a special website detailing its 70-year history and the modernization of post-war Japanese retail will be publicly launched on May 12. The company announced a new vision to strengthen its role as a "life infrastructure" by overcoming turbulent times through community-based management and addressing social issues like shopping difficulties and child-rearing support.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 9, 2026 at 17:54
- 🔍 Collected: May 9, 2026 at 09:01
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 9, 2026 at 09:05 (3 min after Collected)
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You are a Japanese business intelligence AI. Thoroughly analyze the following press release and simultaneously translate it into English (en) and Traditional Chinese (zh).
## Press Release Information
Title: Japan's Oldest Supermarket "Ginbiru Store" Celebrates 70th Anniversary. Special Website Unraveling Post-War Distribution History Now Publicly Available
Subtitle:
Company Name:
Industry:
Main Text (first 8000 characters): Ginbiru Store Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture; Representative Director and President: Kenji Otsuka) will celebrate its 70th anniversary on May 15, 2026 (Reiwa 8). Since its founding in 1956 (Showa 31), shortly after the war, the "life infrastructure" has been protected and nurtured by grandfather Shigeki Otsuka and father Hideki Otsuka (current chairman) through numerous challenges. With that pride, Kenji Otsuka, the 5th generation president, will announce a new vision to pioneer the "future of the region" for the next generation, leveraging the knowledge gained through community activities beyond the company's framework.
Ginbiru Store's founding ceremony photo
[1] Deep Dive into Japan's Distribution History: "Special Website" Documenting 70 Years of Trajectory Now Publicly Available
The special website on the homepage, which will be publicly launched on May 12, is a "distribution history document" that goes beyond 70 years of company history, depicting the modernization of post-war Japanese retail.
Testimony to the "Dawn of Supermarkets": Details the challenges of pioneers who introduced the "self-service system" in Himeji in 1956, one year before Daiei's founding. The "strategic public relations" behind distributing vouchers to children of Jonan Elementary School to establish a new culture will also be revealed for the first time.
DNA that Overcame Turmoil: The weight of 70 years of responding to local expectations that "if Ginbiru disappears, the vitality of the town will vanish," despite being tossed about by drastic changes in the external environment, such as the miraculous recovery from the complete burning down of the main store (1965) and support for areas affected by the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake.
Management Decisions that Explain "Why We Survived"
Amidst competition with large capital, the continuous management decisions over 70 years will be disclosed, including the choice of "closeness over expansion," the shift to strengthening fresh produce, and the evolution to the Bon Marche business format.
"Special Website" Documenting 70 Years of Trajectory
[2] Leadership Walking with the Community: "Spirit of Co-creation" Connecting to the Next Generation
Since taking over management in his 30s, current president Kenji Otsuka has been deeply involved not only in his company's management but also in volunteer activities and community building where young local business leaders gather.
・Community Co-creation through the "Public Spirit":
Leveraging the network cultivated through years of activity as a leader of local volunteer organizations, he collaborates with local business peers to rediscover local food culture and attractions. He is engaged in activities that go beyond the framework of a single company to unearth the potential of the entire region.
・First Step Towards a 100-Year Company:
As Ginbiru Store reaches its 70th anniversary milestone, Kenji Otsuka holds the belief that "inheriting is not about protecting, but about continuously adapting to change." He reflects the "voices of the town" gained through public activities contributing to the community into management, and is promoting robust organizational development towards a "30 stores, 30 billion yen" vision, looking ahead to the 100th anniversary.
President Kenji Otsuka leading the charge
[3] From a "Place to Sell" to a "Hub for Protecting Livelihoods." Infrastructure Declaration Challenging Social Issues
Amidst rising prices and unstable logistics, the company is strengthening its function as an "infrastructure" that supports the lives of local residents and is tackling various social issues.
Shopping-Challenged & Child-Rearing Support: By expanding the mobile supermarket "Hanamarche" and online supermarkets, a system is being built to eliminate shopping difficulties. Furthermore, it is focusing on nurturing the next generation through support based on the "Child-Rearing Support Declaration" and product planning with local high school students.
Building a Circular Society: The supermarket is taking the lead in building a community mutual aid system, such as implementing "food drives" to reduce food loss and donating ingredients to children's cafeterias.
[4] May 15 "Founding Anniversary": "Birthday Festival" of Gratitude Supporting Livelihoods
— The Supermarket's Resolve as a "Life Infrastructure" in an Era of Rising Prices —
On May 15, 2026, Ginbiru Store, celebrating its 70th anniversary, positions this day not merely as an anniversary but as "a day to give back to the local community," implementing special measures across all stores. Amidst continued price increases and growing anxiety about daily shopping, the company reaffirms its unchanging mission of "supporting local dining tables" since its founding, clearly demonstrating its stance as a "supermarket that protects household budgets."
The following initiatives will be implemented on the day:
Issuance of a 70th Anniversary Special Flyer
It will feature carefully selected products that propose "future dining tables" along with its past journey. It is not just a special sale but a proposal-based content that enhances daily quality.
5x Points at All Stores + Premium Kojika Charge
Implementing the largest-ever還元施策 (return measure). Amidst growing frugality, this initiative is being rolled out as a practical support for household budgets.
・Sale of 70th Anniversary Commemorative Products (Limited Quantity)
Focusing on prepared foods, sushi, and fresh meat, it embodies Ginbiru's commitment to "strong in fresh produce" and "quality retail." In addition to long-supported standard products, a lineup of special products utilizing local ingredients will be available, catering to both daily life and "slightly special days."
Through these initiatives, Ginbiru Store will take the first step towards the next 5 and 10 years as an entity that provides not just "low prices" but also "peace of mind" and "food value."
Keywords:
You are a Japanese business intelligence AI. Thoroughly analyze the following press release and simultaneously translate it into English (en) and Traditional Chinese (zh).
## Press Release Information
Title: Japan's Oldest Supermarket "Ginbiru Store" Celebrates 70th Anniversary. Special Website Unraveling Post-War Distribution History Now Publicly Available
Subtitle:
Company Name:
Industry:
Main Text (first 8000 characters): Ginbiru Store Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture; Representative Director and President: Kenji Otsuka) will celebrate its 70th anniversary on May 15, 2026 (Reiwa 8). Since its founding in 1956 (Showa 31), shortly after the war, the "life infrastructure" has been protected and nurtured by grandfather Shigeki Otsuka and father Hideki Otsuka (current chairman) through numerous challenges. With that pride, Kenji Otsuka, the 5th generation president, will announce a new vision to pioneer the "future of the region" for the next generation, leveraging the knowledge gained through community activities beyond the company's framework.
Ginbiru Store's founding ceremony photo
[1] Deep Dive into Japan's Distribution History: "Special Website" Documenting 70 Years of Trajectory Now Publicly Available
The special website on the homepage, which will be publicly launched on May 12, is a "distribution history document" that goes beyond 70 years of company history, depicting the modernization of post-war Japanese retail.
Testimony to the "Dawn of Supermarkets": Details the challenges of pioneers who introduced the "self-service system" in Himeji in 1956, one year before Daiei's founding. The "strategic public relations" behind distributing vouchers to children of Jonan Elementary School to establish a new culture will also be revealed for the first time.
DNA that Overcame Turmoil: The weight of 70 years of responding to local expectations that "if Ginbiru disappears, the vitality of the town will vanish," despite being tossed about by drastic changes in the external environment, such as the miraculous recovery from the complete burning down of the main store (1965) and support for areas affected by the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake.
Management Decisions that Explain "Why We Survived"
Amidst competition with large capital, the continuous management decisions over 70 years will be disclosed, including the choice of "closeness over expansion," the shift to strengthening fresh produce, and the evolution to the Bon Marche business format.
"Special Website" Documenting 70 Years of Trajectory
[2] Leadership Walking with the Community: "Spirit of Co-creation" Connecting to the Next Generation
Since taking over management in his 30s, current president Kenji Otsuka has been deeply involved not only in his company's management but also in volunteer activities and community building where young local business leaders gather.
・Community Co-creation through the "Public Spirit":
Leveraging the network cultivated through years of activity as a leader of local volunteer organizations, he collaborates with local business peers to rediscover local food culture and attractions. He is engaged in activities that go beyond the framework of a single company to unearth the potential of the entire region.
・First Step Towards a 100-Year Company:
As Ginbiru Store reaches its 70th anniversary milestone, Kenji Otsuka holds the belief that "inheriting is not about protecting, but about continuously adapting to change." He reflects the "voices of the town" gained through public activities contributing to the community into management, and is promoting robust organizational development towards a "30 stores, 30 billion yen" vision, looking ahead to the 100th anniversary.
President Kenji Otsuka leading the charge
[3] From a "Place to Sell" to a "Hub for Protecting Livelihoods." Infrastructure Declaration Challenging Social Issues
Amidst rising prices and unstable logistics, the company is strengthening its function as an "infrastructure" that supports the lives of local residents and is tackling various social issues.
Shopping-Challenged & Child-Rearing Support: By expanding the mobile supermarket "Hanamarche" and online supermarkets, a system is being built to eliminate shopping difficulties. Furthermore, it is focusing on nurturing the next generation through support based on the "Child-Rearing Support Declaration" and product planning with local high school students.
Building a Circular Society: The supermarket is taking the lead in building a community mutual aid system, such as implementing "food drives" to reduce food loss and donating ingredients to children's cafeterias.
[4] May 15 "Founding Anniversary": "Birthday Festival" of Gratitude Supporting Livelihoods
— The Supermarket's Resolve as a "Life Infrastructure" in an Era of Rising Prices —
On May 15, 2026, Ginbiru Store, celebrating its 70th anniversary, positions this day not merely as an anniversary but as "a day to give back to the local community," implementing special measures across all stores. Amidst continued price increases and growing anxiety about daily shopping, the company reaffirms its unchanging mission of "supporting local dining tables" since its founding, clearly demonstrating its stance as a "supermarket that protects household budgets."
The following initiatives will be implemented on the day:
Issuance of a 70th Anniversary Special Flyer
It will feature carefully selected products that propose "future dining tables" along with its past journey. It is not just a special sale but a proposal-based content that enhances daily quality.
5x Points at All Stores + Premium Kojika Charge
Implementing the largest-ever還元施策 (return measure). Amidst growing frugality, this initiative is being rolled out as a practical support for household budgets.
・Sale of 70th Anniversary Commemorative Products (Limited Quantity)
Focusing on prepared foods, sushi, and fresh meat, it embodies Ginbiru's commitment to "strong in fresh produce" and "quality retail." In addition to long-supported standard products, a lineup of special products utilizing local ingredients will be available, catering to both daily life and "slightly special days."
Through these initiatives, Ginbiru Store will take the first step towards the next 5 and 10 years as an entity that provides not just "low prices" but also "peace of mind" and "food value."
Keywords: