[3]: 44 In his early 20s, Umeya worked in his family's international business, selling rice in Korea and speculating on gold mining in China.

[3]: 1  Umeya began contributing funds to Sun's revolutionary activities and helped to secure weapons for the aborted Canton Uprising in 1895.

[3]: 2  Drawing on his contacts with Sun's network, he entered the film exhibition business in order to help generate funds and popular support for the revolution.

[3]: 44  Umeya used his profits to fund Sun's revolutionary activities, including providing financial support for the Mingbao newspaper.

[3]: 2  Purportedly based on Sun's suggestion to use cinema for the public benefit, Umeya sought to connect film to the development of science, industry, and education.