Ajinomoto buys into Kao’s HCC to address ‘seniors’ market

Ajinomoto – a manufacturer of seasonings, processed foods, beverages, amino acids, pharmaceuticals and specialty chemicals - and Kao Corporation, a consumer products company whose brands include Bioré, Jergens and John Frieda, have agreed to form an alliance in the health solutions business.

As part of the alliance, Ajinomoto has agreed to acquire a 33.4% equity interest in, and send directors to, Kao's wholly owned subsidiary Healthcare Committee Inc. (HCC).

The companies said that they share a vision of helping to create a "society with active seniors" who lead active lives regardless of age. The business will focus on prevention and improvement of metabolic syndrome and the decreased locomotive functions with aging.

Initially, the business will focus on the needs of elderly Japanese consumers. However, the companies said that they plan to take the expertise gained in Japan and apply it to other markets.

To promote healthy lifestyles, Ajinomoto has been developing and marketing amino acid-based food ingredients and supplements with health value such as low salt, low sugar and low fat. The company is also promoting its AminoIndex, a health check-up support service using amino acid analysis.

Kao has been undertaking consumer research, health care research, and health care product development and sales on the theme of metabolic syndrome in the middle-aged, as well as prevention and improvement of lifestyle-related diseases through QUPiO, a prevention program that HCC provides for health insurers.

By leveraging their respective strengths with these measures, Kao and Ajinomoto say that they will provide personalised, comprehensive health solutions for prevention and improvement of metabolic syndrome and the decreased locomotive functions that come with aging.