The turning point for Shirokiya was a series of natural , financial and man-made disasters that devastated the company 's fortunes . The first was the Tokyo earthquake of 1923 that completely destroyed the original department store building ( it was then reconstructed using modern architecture ) . This was followed a few years later by a major fire on December 16 , 1932 , which destroyed the larger building and caused 14 fatalities . Finally , Shirokiya 's assets , centered mainly in Tokyo , were devastated during World War II and the subsequent occupation of Japan , whereas Mitsukoshi , spread throughout the nation , fared better
the Tokyo earthquake of 1923
1923 Great Kantō earthquake
Shirokiya