Anshan's terrain conceals a wealth of iron ore, extracted since the old eras of Han. But the Qing Dynasty, which originated from Northeastern China, prohibited mining in their homeland for centuries, leaving Anshan forsaken even after their collapse.

Everything changed when Mantetsu discovered large deposits of iron ore in the area. The Anshan Iron Works was established in 1919, and subsequently reorganized into the Shōwa Steel Works. For "industrial use