Kao (China) Investment Co., Ltd., founded in Japan in 1887, is a leading household goods and cosmetics manufacturer in Japan, with Kao Kao, Birou, Sofina, Jieba, Joyya, Miaoersoo, Gewei, Lijie and other brands known for their high quality
Kao Corporation was founded in 1887 as a Western-style general goods store "Nagase Shoten" (Kao Ishino), mainly selling cosmetic soaps made in the United States, domestic soaps in Japan, and imported stationery. At present, Kao products involve more than 600 kinds of cosmetics, most of which are polymer chemicals.
Based on consumers and customers, we wholeheartedly provide high-quality products, and strive to fully satisfy and enrich the lives of people all over the world
The Kao Group is engaged in the consumer products business for general consumers in the areas of "beauty care products" such as cosmetics, skin care products, and shampoo and hair care products, "health care products" such as health functional drinks and hygiene products, and "laundry and household cleaning products" such as laundry detergents and household detergents. In addition, in the "Industrial Chemicals Business", we provide industrial products in response to the needs of the industry in a meticulous manner.
Kao strives to fully satisfy and enrich the lives of people around the world by providing high-quality products based on consumers and customers in these different fields.
History
1887 Kao's predecessor, Nagase Shoten, was founded. It mainly sells cosmetic soaps made in the United States, domestic soaps made in Japan, and imported stationery. The photo shows the entrepreneur Tomio Nagase.
1923 The Butamacho Factory (now the Tokyo Factory) was opened, and soap production was expanded and glycerin production began.
In 1925, the Kao Shokai Co., Ltd. was established. We seek large-scale production and large-scale sales, and we will start to modernize our management. In 1935, the Gotakamachi factory was made independent and "Dainippon Oil Co., Ltd." was established.
In 1940, Nippon Organic Co., Ltd. was established. In the same year, the "Sakata Factory" was opened.
In 1944, Nippon Oils & Fats Co., Ltd.'s Wakayama Factory was opened. Started trial production of aviation lubricants.
In 1946, "Kao Stone Alkali Co., Ltd. Chose Shokai" was renamed "Kao Co., Ltd."
In 1949, Nippon Organic Co., Ltd. changed its company name to "Kao Alkali Co., Ltd." At the same time, Kao Co., Ltd. and Dainippon Oil Co., Ltd. merged to form Kao Oil Co., Ltd.
In 1954, Kao Alkali Co., Ltd. and Kao Oil Co., Ltd. merged to form "Kao Alkali Co., Ltd."
In 1963, the Kawasaki Plant was opened. The equipment is advanced and sophisticated, ready for the arrival of the era of synthetic lotions.
In 1964, "Kao Industry Thailand" was established. In the same year, "Kao Taiwan" was established, and the business in the Asian market was officially launched.
In 1964, the Industrial Science Research Institute was established in Wakayama. In '67, the Tokyo Regional Research Institute was completed. We will strive to strengthen our R&D activities.
In 1966, Kao established a joint venture with wholesalers to establish a unique distribution channel for Kao.
In 1890, the Kao Soap was released to better express the high-quality quality of the "Make-up Soap for Cleansing", and it was named "Kao", which is the same as the Japanese pronunciation of the word "Yan", which is the origin of the name of Kao Company. The moon symbol, which symbolizes "beauty and cleanliness," has evolved over time and is still used today as the symbol of Kao Corporation.
