牋牋Rasa Island (the popular name of the island) is the origin of our company name, Rasa Industries, Ltd., founded by Mr. Noritaka Tsuneto, the first director of the Fertilizer and Minerals Research Institute of the Agriculture and Commerce Ministry. His discernment and efforts highlighted Rasa Industries in those days. Since then, Rasa Island has been the only domestic mine providing phosphate ore, a raw material for chemical fertilizers. Before World War II this island was an important agricultural base with 2000 inhabitants. Though the island is uninhabited now, its position is as significant as ever because it is an essential point in the territorial waters of Japan.