Sumitomo Group
The Yoshino River flows through Shikoku with an abundant volume. In the upper reaches there are swift currents so it was a suitable place for hydroelectric power generation. In Ehime Prefecture the Sumitomo Group have many factories and the Besshi copper mine. Tosa City-Yoshino River Hydroelectric Company (currently Sumitomo Joint Electric Power Company) was founded to promote the construction of the hydroelectric power station, on the Yoshino River, in 1919, (Taishō period 8). The Takayabu Power Station, (14.3MW), was built at the Okuyoshino torrents of the upper reach of River Yoshino, and it commenced operation in 1930 (Shōwa period 5).