History of Higashiosaka
Higashiosaka City in Osaka
Higashiosaka is renowned as a hub of craftsmanship. With deep roots in the metal casting, wire drawing and cotton industries, the city has evolved into a manufacturing powerhouse. Today, Higashiosaka is celebrated both in Japan and abroad as the ‘City That Can Make Anything’. This reputation stems from the dedication, precision and technical expertise of its local artisans. Their skills – honed over generations – continue to thrive, preserving and advancing the city’s proud manufacturing culture.
Higashiosaka City holds the distinction of being Japan’s leading producer of fasteners, earning it the nickname “Fastener City”. This legacy began nearly 200 years ago at the foot of Mount Ikoma, where waterwheels powered the stretching of metal into thin strips. Initially, these strips were used for traditional Japanese hair ornament made of copper, known as Kanzashi. Over time, this skill led to the production of carbon steel fasteners.
As Japan modernized, the surge in demand during the wartime economy and the post-war economic boom, propelled Higashiosaka to the forefront of the fastener industry.
The ingenuity and precision inherited from the era of waterwheels help define the city’s manufacturing culture. Today, fasteners made in Higashiosaka are celebrated worldwide for their exceptional quality and reliability.
Company information
Sunco Industries handles a wide range of fastener and related products, with an extensive lineup of over 2.05 million product types. Our main logistic hub, the Higashiosaka distribution Centre, is equipped with state-of art IT technology that ensure a fast, accurate and reliable supply chain. Every day, we ship out approximately 24 million fasteners, delivering high quality Japanese fasteners to customer around the world.
Sunco Industries handles over 2.05 million types of products. We keep expanding the products we handle to meet the increasing demand for high quality Japanese fasteners and to enhance the range of related products as well as fasteners.
Trusted by more than 6,300 companies, we provide one-stop shopping for fasteners; delivering exactly what you need, when you need it, in the quantity you require.
Sunco Industries collaborate with around 1,300 Japanese fastener manufactures but we also produce our own branded products. Our motto is ‘If it exists, we have it’.
Magazines
SOCKET BOY MAGAZINE
SOCKET BOY is a free magazine issued by Sunco Industries. Since its launch in 2024, it has been sharing with the world a wide range of content from the latest fastener industry news to the rich culture and history of Higashiosaka, Japan’s renowned craftsmanship city. Whether you are an industry professional, manufacturing enthusiast, or simply someone with a curious mind, SOCKET BOY is a must-read!
*SOCKET BOY Magazine is issued only in English.
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Articles
Special articles
Who is SOCKET BOY?
SOCKET BOY is a character created by Sunco Industries. He was born on 1st of June, Fastener Day and is instantly recognizable with his big socket head cap and blue happi, (a Japanese traditional festival coat). He is friendly, fun and always ready to make people smile.
YouTube channel
Sunco Quality Quest
This channel takes you behind-the-scenes of how everyday products are made. Let’s explore the world of craftsmanship, giving you insight into the thoughts and passions of the artisans craftsmen!
Welcome to the world of fasteners!
Fasteners come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, materials and applications.
They are everywhere and they work hard behind the scenes.
Let’s dive into some fun quizzes about these amazing little heroes of engineering!
