Nagamori Katsushi serves as an Executive Director at Meiji Co., Ltd. and the General Manager of Meiji (China) Investment Co., Ltd. Meiji Co., Ltd. is a food business company under Meiji Holdings, with a history of over 100 years. It produces and sells a wide range of products, including milk, yogurt, chocolate, ice cream, and nutritional foods, generating annual sales exceeding 1 trillion yen (approximately 50 billion RMB), making it one of Japan’s top food companies.
Nagamori Katsushi joined Meiji Dairy Corporation in 1990 and spent over 10 years in the corporate planning departments of both Meiji Co., Ltd. and Meiji Holdings. In these core management divisions, he was actively involved in shaping business strategies and contributing to key decision-making processes. During his tenure, Meiji achieved significant growth in both revenue and profits, securing top market shares across its various business sectors in Japan.
Meiji Group has set a vision to expand its overseas business share to 20% by 2026, with China as a key priority market, driving accelerated investments in the region. To further strengthen its business expansion in China, Nagamori assumed the role of General Manager of the local subsidiary in April 2024. With his passion and decisiveness, he is demonstrating strong leadership and steadily advancing business operations to achieve the company's vision.
As consumer demand for health-conscious, high-quality products grows, the food and beverage industry faces both rapid transformation and fierce competition. In China, the sugar-free tea market surged 110% in 2023 (Nielsen), yet brands struggle with price wars and homogeneity. Meanwhile, global expansion is accelerating, but breaking into mainstream overseas markets remains a challenge.
Leading brands have successfully navigated these shifts through innovation: Calbee revived its potato sticks with a unique texture, achieving a V-shaped sales rebound; Kirin Nama-cha sold 100M+ units in seven weeks via brand revitalization; Meiji turned bitter chocolate into a hit by leveraging the "cocoa polyphenol" concept; Fruit Ripe disrupted the market by integrating into convenience store channels……
This dialogue gathers global industry leaders to explore:
· Product innovation: How to create products that truly resonate with consumers?
· Brand longevity: How to build enduring competitive advantages?
· Global expansion: How to move beyond exports and establish a lasting presence?
By examining case studies and industry trends, this discussion will uncover strategies for sustained growth in an evolving market.