Itochu is one of the largest Japanese "sogo shosha" (general trading companies). Among Japanese trading companies, it is distinguished by not being descended from a historical "zaibatsu" group, but by the strength of its textile business and its successful business operations in China. It has six major operational divisions specializing in textiles, metals/minerals, food, machinery, energy/chemicals and ICT/general products/real estate. Itochu was ranked 215th on the 2017 list of Fortune Global 500 companies, with an annual trading revenue of US$44.65 billion.