大和工場 Company Profile

We sometimes receive inquiries from users and individual customers asking, "Do you have Japanese-made gauze?" Of course, there are many Japanese-made products such as gauze for cosmetics and babies, but it is difficult to find medical gauze labeled as "made in Japan." Currently, most of the medical gauze distributed in the country is "made in China." There are medical gauze products that have been processed domestically from imported gauze rolls, but these are not labeled as "made in Japan." The difference between medical gauze and general woven fabric is in the "refining and bleaching process" during manufacturing. The "refining and bleaching process" for woven fabrics is carried out as a pre-dyeing process, and after going through the dyeing process, it is finished as "white." On the other hand, medical gauze must be finished as "white" only through the "refining and bleaching process" without dyeing. *1. Woven fabric refers to textiles. Textiles are made by weaving vertical and horizontal threads. *2. The reason for this is that if the "refining and bleaching" is done at a general bleaching factory, it cannot meet the standards for medical gauze, which require that it "does not fluoresce" (according to the standards for Class I medical devices under the Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act).

There are many factories in the country that refine and bleach fibers and fabrics, but there are hardly any factories that can finish "medical gauze" to a white color through refining and bleaching (whitening) alone. For the reasons mentioned above, the "refining and bleaching" of medical gauze was carried out in dedicated factories exclusively for medical gauze. However, due to the relocation of equipment to overseas (mainly China) and closures, there are now almost no factories that continue to operate. In the future, even if the countries we import from change, it will likely be difficult to find "Japanese-made medical gauze" for the time being. *Note: Our medical gauze is primarily manufactured in a joint venture (Jiangsu Province, China) where our equipment has been relocated, under the guidance of our technicians, according to Japanese standards (product specifications and quality standards, etc.).

In April 1904 (Meiji 37), the history of the Yamato Factory began when its founder, Raikichi Yamato, started the production of military gauze. At that time, a war with Russia over interests in the Korean Peninsula was about to begin. Responding to a strong request from Tokushima Prefectural Governor Takejiro Tokunaga, Raikichi decided to shift from the pharmaceutical wholesale business he had been engaged in to the manufacturing of sanitary materials, an area in which he had no prior experience. It is said that he began operations in Hanoura Village, Tokushima Prefecture (now Hanoura Town, Anan City). At that time, Governor Tokunaga was 38 years old, and Raikichi was 34. Even though it was a request from the governor, one can sense the spirit of the Meiji people who responded to national policy by changing their business. For the past 120 years, we have faced hardships due to the cessation of military demand, the success of expansion into the continent after the Great Kanto Earthquake, setbacks due to defeat in war, the oil shock, and the subsequent bubble and its collapse, leading us to today. We deeply appreciate the efforts of our predecessors who have overcome numerous difficulties, as well as the support of all our stakeholders, including our long-time users. In order to contribute to the next generation of healthcare, we will continue to deliver products that are safe, secure, and trustworthy. We kindly ask for your continued support and guidance in the future.