Section 3. Expansion to Tokyo

While Hibiya Daibiru Buildings No. 1 and No. 2 were under construction during the early Showa period, the building rental industry was significantly impacted by an unprecedented economic crisis. Each building had a large number of vacancies, and the demand for lower rates combined with delinquent tenants resulted in a difficult business situation.

In light of this situation, we felt the need to join forces with other companies in the industry, so we called on them to create an organization for the building industry. Thus, on February 15, 1930, 14 companies got together, and the Building Tea Party was born. Its office was located at Osaka Building’s Tokyo Office. By 1937, it had expanded to 23 companies, and on August 30, 1939, its successor, the Tokyo Building Owners and Managers Association, was born. Meanwhile, back in Osaka, the Building Association was established in May 1928 with the goal of promoting friendship among building operators, and it had 20 member companies by 1937.

In February 1940, the Japan Building Federation (renamed the Japan Building Owners and Managers Association in October that year) was established as a trade association to oversee local building associations. It became an incorporated association in April 1941. As an influential member of the Association from its inception, Osaka Building actively dealt with a variety of issues, including property rent control, electric power control, tax increases, metal collection, and building requisitioning.