April 1, 2026
Thank you as always for visiting our website and your interest in our firm.
With the arrival of April, the long-awaited spring has finally come to the Fuji–Fujinomiya area, which we proudly call home. The cherry blossoms are now in full bloom at the grounds of Fujisan Hongū Sengen Taisha Shrine, and the breathtaking contrast between the still snow-capped Mount Fuji and delicate pink blossoms is a sight that stirs the heart every time. We warmly invite you to visit us and experience this beautiful season.
Turning to the global economy, while it continues to face risks such as the destabilization of the trade environment and rising crude oil prices driven by heightened tensions in the Middle East, overall growth remains resilient. This stability is supported by expanding investment related to artificial intelligence and steady growth in emerging Asian economies. That said, uncertainties remain significant, including the direction of U.S. tariff policies, the slowdown of the Chinese economy, and ongoing geopolitical risks, warranting a cautious outlook for the future.
Meanwhile, Japan’s economy in 2026 is expected to continue along a path of moderate recovery. Equity markets, while subject to recurring volatility driven by investor expectations surrounding the Takaichi administration’s “responsible and proactive fiscal policy” following its decisive election victory, as well as by external factors such as heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, have nonetheless maintained an overall upward trend. In addition, this year’s spring labor negotiations resulted in wage increases exceeding 5% for the third consecutive year, raising expectations that positive real wage growth will become firmly established. At the same time, close attention must be paid to future developments, including the extent to which these increases spread to small and medium-sized enterprises and the impact of higher crude oil prices.
Amid this complex and evolving environment, our company will continue to move forward steadily, responding flexibly to change.
Our core health food business is showing signs of recovery, as the market impact stemming from the 2024 red yeast rice issue has gradually subsided and consumer awareness of health and interest in preventive healthcare continue to grow.
At the same time, however, the business environment remains challenging and uncertain. Ongoing issues include tighter regulations under the Foods with Functional Claims system, as well as consumers’ continued tendency toward cost conscious spending and rising prices. In an environment of persistently increasing raw material and labor costs, we remain firmly committed to maintaining “absolute quality” while delivering value commensurate with price. As professionals in the development and manufacture of health foods, we will continue to engage directly with our customers and uphold an approach that seeks to “raise customer expectations and consistently exceed them.”
Going forward, we will continue to pursue safety and reliability from the consumer’s perspective with unwavering dedication, further strengthening trust in health foods. Guided by our conviction that these efforts contribute to enhancing the physical and mental well-being of people around the world, we remain committed to sustained and diligent management efforts.
We look forward to working with our partners again during this fiscal year and appreciate everyone’s support.
Row Imamura, CEO