Asano zaibatsu 浅野財閥, one of the major second-tier zaibatsu (conglomerates) in Japan, was founded in 1887 by Asano Sōichirō 浅野総一郎 with support from Shibusawa Eiichi 渋沢栄一, the founder of the Shibusawa zaibatsu 渋沢財閥 and "father of Japanese capitalism".

Asano Sōichirō 浅野総一郎 founded Asano zaibatsu in 1884 after purchasing the Fukagawa Cement Works from the government with support from Shibusawa Eiichi 渋沢栄一 of the Shibusawa zaibatsu.

[4] It almost monopolized the cement industry in Japan.

[5] "Often these companies are controlled through only a minority of shares, domination being accomplished by personal influence, and the manipulation of credit, supplies and outlets.

"[6] Since 1945, when most of the zaibatsu were disbanded by Douglas MacArthur in occupied Japan, the Asano zaibatsu has spun off many companies.