Itochu is one of the largest Japanese sogo shosha (general trading company). Among Japanese trading companies, it is distinguished by not being descended from an historical zaibatsu group, but by the strength of its textiles business and its successful business operations in China.[2] It has six major operational divisions specializing in textiles, metals/minerals, food, machinery, energy/chemicals and ICT/general products/real estate.[3] Itochu was ranked 215th on 2017's list of Fortune Global 500 companies with an annual trading revenue of US$44.65 billion.[4]