Japan - Cosmetics

Pushing the right buttons: Kao relaunches navel care product amid high demand and market gap

04-Jul-2023 By Hui Ling Dang

Japanese cosmetics giant Kao has relaunched its patented belly button cleansing product that claims to address the needs of those with navel shapes that are susceptible to dirt accumulation and odour.

Colour rebound: Makeup makes ‘full-fledged revival’ in Japan as consumers drop mask habit – @cosme

19-Jun-2023 By Amanda Lim

Japan’s colour cosmetics market has bounced back fully as consumers ease up on mask habits to fulfil the desire to enjoy makeup, says retailer @cosme.

Microalgae extracts show potential to be developed into antioxidant and anti-pigmentation ingredients – Japan study

06-Jun-2023 By Hui Ling Dang

Findings from a recent Japan study showed that an edible microalgae species called Nostoc verrucosum (N. verrucosum) has high antioxidant activity, although its effect on melanin synthesis is dependent on the cultivation of its extract.

Combination of eucalyptus and bilberry extracts found to improve skin hydration and barrier function – Kao study

30-May-2023 By Hui Ling Dang

Researchers from Kao Corporation have identified a close relationship between autophagy activity and keratinisation disorders in the skin, which play a crucial role in moisturising and barrier functions.

Space for more: Kao seizes opportunity in ‘underdeveloped sector’ with astronaut-approved dry shampoo sheets

18-Apr-2023 By Hui Ling Dang

Kao Corporation has developed a new type of no-rinse shampoo sheet that aims to fulfil different needs, including consumers with active lifestyles, caregivers, and those working in disaster relief.

Baby barrier check: Kao applies RNA monitoring tech to non-invasive baby skin care testing kit

05-Apr-2023 By Amanda Lim

Kao Corporation is set to launch Babywell Check, a skin barrier test for infants based on its non-invasive ribonucleic acid (RNA) testing technology.

Orchid opportunity: Kao discovers unique scents to advance fragrance innovation

21-Mar-2023 By Hui Ling Dang

Japanese beauty giant Kao is looking to develop new products based on distinct orchid scents, after discovering hundreds of options that are yet to be harnessed for commercial applications.

‘From defence to offence’: Shiseido will make ‘proactive investments’ for revenue growth from 2023 – CEO

21-Feb-2023 By Amanda Lim

Japanese beauty major Shiseido will start to prioritise strategic investments in three key areas – brands, innovation and people – to drive revenue growth, according to its CEO.

A new addition: Decorté extends flagship Liposome range with new eye serum to strengthen brand

14-Feb-2023 By Amanda Lim

Decorté Cosmetics is set to extend its bestselling Liposome skin care range with a new eye serum to reinforce its presence in the high-end beauty market.

‘New old ingredients’: Natural trend driving beauty to embrace Africa’s traditional oils

09-Nov-2022 By Amanda Lim

The cosmetics industry is seeing a rising appetite for traditional oils that have been used for centuries by Africa’s indigenous people as the demand for new, powerful, and efficacious natural ingredients booms.

‘Big opportunities in Europe’: Japan’s Meeth advances global expansion plans with Spain debut

25-Oct-2022 By Amanda Lim

Skin care brand Meeth is furthering its global ambitions by making entry into Spain, where it believes it can excite beauty consumers with its novel Japanese products.

‘Road to recovery’: Kosé Corp aims to tap into make-up recovery with high-prestige brands

06-Sep-2022 By Amanda Lim

Japanese cosmetics company Kosé Corporation intends to strengthen its line-up of make-up in the high-prestige beauty segment to capitalise on the post-pandemic make-up recovery.

‘Capturing consumer changes’: Three new launches to expect from Shiseido in the H2 of 2022

05-Sep-2022 By Amanda Lim

Japanese cosmetics giant Shiseido is set to debut three new innovations in the second half of this year as a response to the recent changes in consumer behaviours.

Dazzling debut: L’Oréal touts Hainan as the ‘perfect venue’ to introduce J-beauty brand Takami

29-Aug-2022 By Amanda Lim

Hainan Island’s reputation as the “go-to beauty destination” makes it the ideal place to introduce Takami, the newest “jewel” in L’Oréal’s high-end skin care portfolio, claims the firm.

A hairy situation: Kao CEO highlights need for ‘dramatic’ change to invigorate hair care business

23-Aug-2022 By Amanda Lim

The CEO of Japanese consumer goods company Kao Corporation has underlined the immediate need to revitalise its declining hair care business amid stiff competition in the mass market sector.

Going on the offensive: Shiseido to invest over $75m in brand equity and employee training

15-Aug-2022 By Amanda Lim

Japanese beauty major Shiseido is planning to invest JPY10bn (USD75.5m) in both brand equity and its employees as part of plans to go on the offensive and buck the declining trend of the market.

‘Half a step ahead’: FIVEISM x THREE outlines post-COVID market expansion plans to tap into growing men’s beauty market

17-Jun-2022 By Amanda Lim

Genderless make-up brand FIVEISM x THREE is embarking on an overseas expansion as the COVID-19 situation abates, with new markets including Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan on its cards.

‘Conquer the heart’: Japan brand Meeth international adopts ‘fascinate first’ approach to international expansion

16-May-2022 By Amanda Lim

Japanese beauty brand Meeth says the core of its global expansion plans is to ‘fascinate people first’ instead of pushing them to buy products.

Shiseido, Kao and Lion show solidarity with Ukraine amid intensifying conflict with Russia

22-Mar-2022 By Amanda Lim

A trio of Japanese cosmetics companies – Shiseido, Kao and Lion – have stepped up to aid relief efforts in Ukraine amid Russia’s ongoing attacks on the country.

Overseas debut: Japan’s Athletia landing in UK this October to start European expansion push

20-Sep-2021 By Amanda Lim

Skin care and lifestyle brand Athletia is set to make its international debut this October in the UK, where it hopes to orchestrate future European expansion plans within the next three years.

Pandemic skin care: Shiseido's AQUALABEL launches range focusing on skin health and fermented ingredients

13-Sep-2021 By Amanda Lim

Japanese beauty giant Shiseido has launched a new range of skin care products under the AQUALABEL brand that was developed in response to skin care needs and concerns that have been influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic.

POLA pay off: ‘Super prestige’ brand’s 129% growth guides Pola Orbis to recovery

04-Aug-2021 By Amanda Lim

Japanese cosmetics company Pola Orbis Holdings has rebounded on the back of high-end flagship POLA, which posted remarkable operating profit growth of 129.2% in the first half of FY2021.

Critical state: Kao must make ‘bold upfront investments’ in digital to secure growth of cosmetics division – CEO

23-Feb-2021 By Amanda Lim

Japanese personal care major Kao Corporation is prioritising investments in digital technology as part of its plans to radically reform its cosmetics unit which has been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Shiseido’s struggles: Japanese giant reports net sales declines in Q4 and 2020 against tough COVID-19 conditions

10-Feb-2021 By Amanda Lim

Japanese cosmetics major Shiseido Company saw its financial performance continue to dip in the fourth quarter, resulting in a 18.6% decrease in net sales and an 86.9% loss in operating profits for the full year of 2020.

‘Prestige first’: Shiseido sells off personal care division for $1.5bn to focus on high-end skin care

04-Feb-2021 By Amanda Lim

Japanese cosmetic giant Shiseido Company has announced the decision to sell its low-cost personal care business to CVC Capital Partners in a deal worth 160 billion yen ($1.5bn) in order to focus on its more high-end cosmetic brands.

Protective barrier: Kao looking into development of lactic acid-based anti-bacterial hand care based on latest research

18-Jan-2021 By Amanda Lim

Kao Corporation aiming to develop lactic acid-based hand care products with long-lasting antimicrobial properties based on latest research into the hand barrier.

Just mix it: Pola Chemicals develops new emulsifier to tap into rising DIY beauty trend

10-Nov-2020 By Amanda Lim

Japanese firm Pola Chemicals Industries has developed M-Polymer, a new emulsifier that it claims will make it easier for consumers to enjoy do-it-yourself (DIY) cosmetic products.

Opportunity for transformation: Shiseido lays down ‘worst-case scenario’ plans to beat COVID-19

18-May-2020 By Amanda Lim

Japanese cosmetics company Shiseido has announced new strategies to tackle impacts of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak if the economy does not recover by early 2021.

All the right brands: Kao’s global cosmetics strategy pays off as G11 portfolio grows 18%

02-Mar-2020 By Amanda Lim

Kao Corporation’s cosmetics business has achieved its strategic targets a year ahead of schedule thanks to the double-digit growth of its 11 global strategy brands, known as the G11 portfolio.

Steady as she goes: European brands must take measured approach to Asia entry – Orientana

20-Feb-2020 By Amanda Lim

Owner of Polish beauty brand Orientana says the company is careful not to rush its expansion into the ‘never-ending’ Asian market.

Shiseido reports ‘resilient’ FY19 performance despite challenges and uncertainties in the market

10-Feb-2020 By Amanda Lim

The Shiseido Company saw net sales and operating profit increase by 5.7% and 5.1% respectively due to the strong momentum in Travel Retail, China and EMEA, its full-year 2019 figures reveal.

Dior collaborates with leading Japanese lab to study the mechanism of skin metabolism

25-Sep-2019 By Amanda Lim

The research arm of LVMH is collaborating with the Centre for iPS Cell Research and Application of Kyoto University (CiRA) to study the mechanism of skin metabolism for Parfums Christian Dior.

A look at Shiseido’s developments in Asia in 2016

06-Sep-2016 By Michelle Yeomans

Shiseido has rapidly expanded across the Americas and Europe this year with focused efforts on travel retail, R&D hubs and partnerships with major beauty players. Here though, we’re taking a look at how the Japanese cosmetics player has still managed...

IMCD establishes a new office in Japan

05-Apr-2016 By Simon Pitman

Holland-based fine chemicals distributor IMCD has expanded its position in the Asia Pacific region with the opening of an office in Tokyo, Japan.

Metrosexual beauty on the rise across Asia

04-Feb-2016 By Lucy Whitehouse

The male grooming sector is seeing a strong boost across Asia, thanks to the growing enthusiasm among male consumers for a meterosexual style.

Cosme Tech 2016 event to reveal Japan's progress in cosmetics innovation

08-Dec-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Noted to be Japan’s largest exhibition specialised in cosmetics, Cosme Toyko organisers are making the final preparations for the 2016 event which will be focused around showcasing what the country has to offer in cosmetic innovation...

Beware of 'polite business'! The challenges of cracking Japan's cosmetics market

17-Jul-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

Establishing or indeed sustaining business in Japan's cosmetics market depends on the seamless interaction and integration with its culture, not something every international company has managed to get right...

Asia's the second largest cosmetics market after Europe, experts report

11-Jun-2015 By Michelle Yeomans

According to the latest research from ApacMarket.com, Asia-Pacific is the second largest market for cosmetics after Europe, expected to reach $126.8 billion by 2020, registering a CAGR of 4.02%.

The secrets to Estée Lauder’s successful product development in Asia

27-Nov-2014 By Simon Pitman

Estée Lauder Companies has met with huge success in Asia on the back of a targeted approach to product development that delivers tailored products specifically designed for Asian consumers.

Asia in Focus

Ageing is an accomplishment in Asia, so beware about how you communicate with skin care, says expert

29-Apr-2014 By Michelle Yeomans

This month we are focusing on the anti-ageing skin care market in Asia, where our expert, Florence Bernardin says global brands must take heed in approaching consumers that view getting older very differently from the West.

Mintel identifies 2014’s trends for the Asia Pacific consumer

05-Feb-2014 By Andrew MCDOUGALL

An increase in technology, safety concerns and value are top of the trend list when it comes to consumers in Asia Pacific according to new research from Mintel.

Colep and One Asia Network announce manufacturing agreement

17-Sep-2013

Colep and the One Asia Network have announced a Manufacturing and Technology Agreement, which will cover the whole of their respective organisations and thereby give supply coverage from Australia, Japan, China, Thailand, India, Poland, Germany, Spain,...

Cosme Tech 2013 set to open doors next week

20-Jun-2013

The leading event for the Japanese ingredients market, Cosme Tech 2013, is due to open its door next week and the Cosmetics Design editorial team will be there to report on all the highlights.

Trading in Asia takes toll on L’Oréal Luxury

13-Dec-2012

French cosmetics maker L'Oreal is feeling the effects of the economic slowdown and tough trading conditions in South Korea and Taiwan, with turnover from luxury goods in South Korea down 2-3 per cent this year after achieving 8 per cent growth last...

CosmeticsDesign-Europe

Resources