Hitachi was founded in 1910 by electrical engineer Namihei Odaira in Ibaraki Prefecture. The companys first product was Japans first 4-kilowatt (5 hp) induction motor, initially developed for use in copper mining. The company began as an in house venture of Fusanosuke Kuharas mining company in Hitachi, Ibaraki. Odaira moved headquarters to Tokyo in 1918. Odaira joined the companys toponymic name by superimposing two kanji characters hi meaning sun and tachi meaning rise. Hitachi America, Ltd. was established in 1959. Hitachi Europe, Ltd. was established in 1982.