Meiji Holdings Co., Ltd.

The Meiji Group took its first steps in Tokyo in the 1910s. It was an era of vigorous challenges to incorporate foreign knowledge and goods and to catch up with technological standards. The same was true in the world of food.

The Meiji Group took its first steps in Tokyo in the 1910s. It was an era of vigorous challenges to incorporate foreign knowledge and goods and to catch up with technological standards. The same was true in the world of food. "We want to provide high-quality, nutritious, and delicious sweets without relying on imported products." The history of the Meiji Group began with this desire.

Founder of the Meiji Group, Hanji Soma.

Challenge for safety, security, and deliciousness. The Meiji Group took its first steps in Tokyo in the 1910s. It was an era of vigorous challenges to incorporate foreign knowledge and goods and to catch up with technological standards. The same was true in the world of food. "We want to provide high-quality, nutritious, and delicious sweets without relying on imported products." The history of the Meiji Group began with this desire.

After the 1940s, during the period of high economic growth, people's lives changed dramatically. From a time of scarcity to an era surrounded by abundant goods. In food, not only taste but also unique packaging and shapes were pursued, and differentiation through added value became more important. Pharmaceuticals to protect a rich and healthy life, starting with antibiotics, were also developed in various ways. Many long-hit products continue to be developed in the Meiji Group's business.

The history of the Meiji Group began with such aspirations.

1946-1972

During rapid economic growth, after the 1940s, people's lives changed dramatically. From a time of scarcity to an era surrounded by abundant goods. In food, not only taste but also unique packaging and shapes were pursued, and differentiation through added value became more important. Pharmaceuticals to protect a rich and healthy life, starting with antibiotics, were also developed in various ways. Many long-hit products continue to be developed in the Meiji Group's business.

In the 1970s, two oil crises caused a serious economic crisis in Japan, affecting daily life with rising prices. However, the bubble economy followed, ushering in an era of abundance and excess. Globalization advanced rapidly. During this time, consumer health needs expanded, and there was a strong tendency towards natural products, such as avoiding additives. In the 1980s, preferences and lifestyles diversified further, and how to reach these consumers became a corporate challenge.

1973-1989

Growing health consciousness and responding to diversified market needs. In the 1970s, two oil crises caused a serious economic crisis in Japan, affecting daily life with rising prices. However, the bubble economy followed, ushering in an era of abundance and excess. Globalization advanced rapidly. During this time, consumer health needs expanded, and there was a strong tendency towards natural products, such as avoiding additives. In the 1980s, preferences and lifestyles diversified further, and how to reach these consumers became a corporate challenge.

In the 1990s, Japan entered the Heisei recession. With an aging society and declining birthrate, confectionery targeting children faced declining sales, and demand for pharmaceuticals addressing lifestyle-related diseases increased rapidly. Along with these market and consumer changes, rapid advances in information technology and changes in distribution and retail systems forced many companies to review their business strategies. The Meiji Group also considered products and sales methods aligned with the times and built a new structure.

1990-2008

Entering an era of economic slowdown and declining birthrate and aging population In the 1990s, Japan entered the Heisei recession. Facing a society with a declining birthrate and aging population, confectionery products targeted mainly at children had to reduce sales, and demand for pharmaceuticals addressing lifestyle-related diseases rapidly increased. In addition to these market and consumer changes, rapid advances in information technology and changes in distribution and retail systems forced many companies to review their business strategies. The Meiji Group is also considering products and sales methods that meet the needs of the times more than ever before and is building a new structure.

Beyond the 2000s, driven by developments in information and communication technology, the world became increasingly connected globally. Companies engaged with various countries and regions in raw material procurement, manufacturing, and sales. Expectations for companies to address environmental and social issues also grew. The Meiji Group positions its goal as "Creating value ahead in food and health, and continuing to grow in Japan and worldwide," and continues efforts to realize this vision.

2009 and onwards

To create a company for the next 100 years As the world becomes more connected globally, especially with the development of information and communication technology beyond the 2000s, companies are increasingly involved with various countries and regions in raw material procurement, manufacturing, and sales. Expectations for companies to solve environmental and social issues are also growing. The Meiji Group positions its ideal image as "Creating value ahead in 'Food and Health,' continuing to grow in Japan and worldwide," and continues to work toward realizing this vision.

Proposing a new experience of cacao. What is the fruity extract that colors everyday life?

Visualizing the mind—A new approach to prevent and treat depression

Reducing greenhouse gases emitted by cattle with feed. The Meiji Group, Ajinomoto, and dairy farmers collaborate to challenge this

「ザバス」がプロテインの常識を変え続ける。目指すは世界のブランドへ

The invention of a Parmesan cheese manufacturing method using lactic acid bacteria from Tokachi received the invention award at the 2025 National Invention Awards…

A new material, "Cocoa Bio-Plastic", and the cosmetic ingredient "Cocoa Ceramide", contribute to sustainable cocoa production in Africa. Exhibited at the TICAD Business Expo & Conference. Co-developed by Meiji, Hemicellulose, and Zebra. A ballpoint pen upcycled from cocoa bean skins was adopted as a commemorative item for TICAD9 (9th Africa Development Conference). August 20 (Wed) – 22 (Fri) at Pacifico Yokohama.

In a clinical study, it was first confirmed that lung cancer patients who consumed yogurt fortified with the extracellular polysaccharide (R-1 EPS) of lactic acid bacterium OLL1073R-1, alongside treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors, tended to have a higher therapeutic response rate. Presented at the 26th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR26).

ASAGI Labs joins the Longevity Consortium – leveraging knowledge of food and health to promote extended healthy lifespan and co-create a new longevity market.