Apparently the world’s longest-surviving continuously-operating company folded in 2006, faced with "excess debt and an unfavorable business climate." Kongo Gumi, a firm that specialized in building Buddhist temples, started operations in 578, and the business remained under the control of the same family for fourteen centuries. While the company was best known for building temples, it occasionally branched out into other areas--during World War II, for instance, it made coffins.
Hat tip: Division of Labour.
Yet another sign that we live during Mappo, the final age, and that we are witnessing the degeneration of the dharma. (**sigh**)
More likely, it's a sign that the rock-bottom Japanese fertility rate is beginning to bite. No kids, no young adults, no temples...pretty simple equation. I'd look for more of this in the near future. Japan (as well as most of the West) are committing suicide.
I'd hate to be the guy whose watch this happened on. Can you imagine the pressure from 1500 years of ancestors?