Our Past Drives Our Future How Takeda's History in Japan Impacts our Work Today

Takeda Historical Museum
Kobe, Japan

The Takeda Historical Museum in Kobe, Japan preserves the legacy of the Takeda family. Built in 1932 by Chobei VI as a family home, the house was bought from the family by Takeda in 1981 and underwent a renovation in 2007 to become the Takeda History Museum.

Today, the museum is available to employees, illuminating the values which have been cherished by successive leaders. As a visitor, you may learn:

• Takeda was founded by Chobei I in 1781, who began selling traditional Japanese and Chinese herbal medicines in Doshomachi, the medicine district of Osaka, Japan. He soon gained a reputation for business integrity and quality products and services.
• Into the 19th century, Takeda expanded under the leadership of Chobei I and his successors. Successive leaders inherited the name Chobei, until Chobei VI.
• As a merchant, Chobei I was noted for his business motto “Sanpo Yoshi Philosophy,” which posited “There should be benefits on all three sides: Benefits for the buyer, Benefits for the seller and Benefits for society.‘ This same spirit drives the principles of modern Takeda.

Takeda Garden for Medicinal Plant Conservation
Kyoto, Japan

Did you know that botanical gardens have played an integral part in the development of new medicines throughout history? The Takeda Garden for Medical Plant Conservation, Kyoto has played this very role since its opening in 1933.

Since its establishment, the garden has served as part of the Takeda Research Institute, conducting research for the development of new medicines derived from natural products and for the breeding of medicinal plants. Over time, it has been transformed into a facility that seeks to maintain a sustainable society by preserving important medicinal plant resources, while inheriting years of plant cultivation techniques from research facilities.

Kyo-U Library
Osaka, Japan

Chobei V recognized the importance for both academia and public society of preserving herbal and medical texts of Japanese and Chinese origin. Throughout his life, Chobei V collected books and manuscripts that promoted the development of medical sciences. After his death, his personal collections were augmented in quality and quantity and passed down to Chobei VI who established the "Kyo-U Sho-Oku (Kyo-U Library)."

In 1977 and 1978, most of the collections were donated to the Takeda Science Foundation and made available to the public. The library primarily displays historical books of natural medicines. While the Kyo-U Library conserves those documents for generations to come, it also offers facilities to researchers and organizations by holding special exhibitions and research lectures every year, while reproducing some original texts of selected books.

These institutions are just a glimpse into our centuries-long past. They exemplify the sentiment of our founder — work with integrity and deal with medicine as though the patients being treated were your own children—which has become the universal value system for Takeda today.

Explore more about Takeda in Japan today and continue the legacy of careers with purpose.