- This page was last modified on 9 August 2025, at 07:38. Suggest an edit.
Morinaga & Company facts for kids
 |
|
|
Native name
|
森永製菓株式会社
|
|---|---|
| Public (K.K) | |
| Traded as | TYO: 2201 |
| ISIN | ISIN: [https://isin.toolforge.org/?language=en&isin=JP3926400007 JP3926400007] |
| Industry | Food |
| Founded | August 15, 1899 as Morinaga’s Western Confectionary Shop |
| Founder | Taichiro Morinaga |
| Headquarters |
Shiba, Minato, Tokyo, 108-8403
,
Japan
|
|
Area served
|
Worldwide |
|
Key people
|
Eijiro Ota (President) |
| Products |
|
| Revenue |  JPY 205 billion (FY 2017) (US$ 1.9 billion) (FY 2017) |
 JPY 10.2 billion (FY 2017) (US$ 97 million) (FY 2017) |
|
|
Number of employees
|
3,170 (consolidated, as of March 31, 2018) |
| Subsidiaries | Morinaga Milk Industry (10.34%) |
Morinaga & Company, Ltd. (森永製菓株式会社, Morinaga Seika Kabushiki-gaisha) is a famous Japanese company that makes delicious sweets and snacks! It started way back in 1899 in Tokyo, Japan. You might know some of their popular candies, like Hi-Chew.
Morinaga & Company is also connected to another company called Morinaga Milk Industry Co., Ltd.. Morinaga & Company owns a small part of Morinaga Milk Industry.
Contents
Popular Morinaga Brands
Morinaga makes many different kinds of treats. Here are some of their most well-known brands:
- Hi-Chew
- In Jelly / Chargel
- Choco Monaka Jumbo
- Ice Box
- DARS
- Morinaga Biscuits
- Morinaga Milk Cocoa
- Morinaga Amazake
- Morinaga Chocoball
- Packncho (made under license)
- Werther's Original (distributed in Japan)
- Pez (distributed in Japan)
Morinaga's History
How Morinaga Started
The company was founded by a person named Taichiro Morinaga. He opened his first Western-style candy shop in Tokyo in 1899. This happened after he came back from the United States. The company officially became "Morinaga & Co., Ltd." in 1912.
Helping During Wartime
During World War II in 1944, Morinaga did something very important. They created the first penicillin made in Japan. Penicillin is a type of medicine that helps fight infections.
Valentine's Day in Japan
In 1960, Morinaga had a big idea for Valentine's Day. They advertised that women should give chocolates to men on this day. This idea really caught on and shaped how Valentine's Day is celebrated in Japan today! Later, in 2009, Morinaga also made special chocolates called Gyaku-choco. Gyaku means reverse in Japanese. These were chocolates for men to give to women.
Hi-Chew's Journey to the US
Morinaga started selling its super popular Hi-Chew candy in the United States in 2008. The candy quickly became a favorite among baseball players. This trend began with a Japanese baseball player named Junichi Tazawa, who played for the Boston Red Sox.
Morinaga even signed a special deal with the Red Sox in 2012. This helped Hi-Chew become even more popular throughout the 2010s. By 2023, Morinaga started bringing some of the American Hi-Chew flavors back to Japan!
Famous Faces in Commercials
Over the years, many famous people have appeared in Morinaga commercials. These include Japanese stars like Ayumi Hamasaki and Mao Asada. Even famous music groups like Carpenters advertised Morinaga products in the past.
Where Morinaga Is Located
Main Offices and Factories
Morinaga's main office is in the Shiba area of Minato, Tokyo. It's very close to Tamachi Station. The company also has factories where they make their products in several other Japanese cities. These include Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Oyama, Tochigi, Mishima, Shizuoka, and Anjo, Aichi.
Hi-Chew Production in the US
In 2016, Morinaga began making Hi-Chew candy in Mebane, North Carolina, in the United States. Because Hi-Chew is so popular, Morinaga announced plans in 2024 to build a second factory in Mebane. This new factory is expected to start making candy in 2027.
See also
External links
- Morinaga & Company
- Morinaga & Company corporate profile