Kao Corporation is a Japanese multinational manufacturer of consumer goods and chemical products. It is one of Japan’s oldest and most respected companies in the beauty, personal care, household care, and specialty chemicals industries. Founded in 1887, Kao has grown from a small soap business into a global corporation operating in more than 100 countries through its brands, subsidiaries, and business partners. Its corporate purpose is to contribute to people’s well-being while promoting sustainability through its philosophy of “Kirei—Making Life Beautiful.” [1]

• Company Name: Kao Corporation

• Founded: June 1887

• Founder: Tomiro Nagase

• Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan

• President & CEO: Yoshihiro Hasebe

• Industry: Consumer goods, cosmetics, personal care, household products, chemicals

• Employees: Approximately 31,500 (consolidated, 2025)

• Revenue: ¥1.69 trillion (FY2025) [2]

Kao traces its origins to 1887, when Tomiro Nagase established Nagase Shoten, a business importing and selling Western household goods in Japan. In 1890, the company introduced Kao Sekken (Kao Soap), a premium-quality facial soap that was both affordable and domestically produced. This product became highly successful and eventually inspired the company’s name.

The word “Kao” was chosen because it sounded like the Japanese word for “face,” while the characters used for the brand (花王) literally mean “King of Flowers,” symbolizing quality and elegance. [3]

Over the following decades, Kao expanded beyond soap into:

• Laundry detergents

• Hair care

• Skin care

• Cosmetics

• Feminine hygiene

• Baby care

• Household cleaning products

• Specialty chemicals

In 1985, the company officially changed its name from Kao Soap Co., Ltd. to Kao Corporation, reflecting its broader business portfolio. [4]

Kao operates through two primary business divisions.

Consumer Products

This division includes products used in everyday life, such as:

• Skin care

• Hair care

• Cosmetics

• Household cleaning

• Laundry care

• Feminine hygiene

• Baby care

• Health products

Chemical Business

Kao also manufactures specialty chemicals used by industries worldwide, including:

• Oleochemicals

• Surfactants

• Fatty alcohols

• Industrial cleaning agents

• Materials for electronics

• Additives for plastics, paper, and textiles

These products serve industries ranging from cosmetics and pharmaceuticals to automotive manufacturing. [5]

Kao owns numerous internationally recognized brands, including:

Beauty & Personal Care

• Bioré

• Curél

• Jergens

• John Frieda

• Goldwell

• Molton Brown

• Oribe

• Sofina

• Kanebo

Household Care

• Attack

• Magiclean

• Quickle

Health & Hygiene

• Laurier

• Merries

• Bub

Beginning in the 1960s, Kao expanded across Asia before entering Europe and North America through acquisitions and partnerships.

Notable acquisitions include:

• Andrew Jergens (1988)

• Goldwell (1989)

• John Frieda (2002)

• Molton Brown (2005)

• Kanebo Cosmetics (2006)

• Oribe Hair Care (2018)

• Bondi Sands (2023) [6]

Today, Kao maintains manufacturing, research, and sales operations across Asia, Europe, the Americas, and Oceania.

Research and development is central to Kao’s business strategy. Since establishing a dedicated R&D division in the 1970s, the company has invested heavily in:

• Skin science

• Hair science

• Material science

• Biotechnology

• Sustainable chemistry

• Environmental technologies

Many of Kao’s products are developed using extensive consumer research and scientific testing to improve effectiveness and safety. [7]

Kao has positioned sustainability as a core business objective through its Kirei Lifestyle Plan, introduced in 2019.

Its sustainability priorities include:

• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions

• Minimizing plastic waste

• Developing biodegradable products

• Responsible sourcing of raw materials

• Water conservation

• Ethical supply chain management

The company integrates environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations into its long-term corporate strategy. [8]

Kao has had a presence in the Philippines since the 1960s. In 1977, Pilipinas Kao, Inc. was established as a joint venture with Aboitiz & Co.

Its manufacturing complex in Jasaan, Misamis Oriental produces environmentally friendly oleochemicals derived largely from coconut oil. These materials are exported worldwide and are used in cosmetics, detergents, pharmaceuticals, and industrial applications. [9]

Kao’s guiding philosophy is known as The Kao Way, which emphasizes:

• Consumer-first innovation

• Product quality

• Integrity

• Sustainability

• Respect for people

• Long-term value creation

Its corporate message, “Kirei—Making Life Beautiful,” reflects the company’s goal of improving everyday life while helping create a more sustainable society. [10]

Kao is widely regarded as one of Japan’s leading consumer goods companies, known for combining scientific research, high product quality, and a long-standing commitment to sustainability. Its portfolio spans everyday household essentials, premium beauty products, and industrial chemicals, making it a significant player in both consumer and business markets. [11]

1. Kao | About Kao

2. Kao | Company Profile

3. Kao | The History of the Kao Group

4. Kao | Our History

5. Kao | Corporate History

6. History | Kao Chemicals

7. Bioré owner Kao snaps up tanning brand Bondi Sands in strategic move

8. Company Profile | Kao Chemicals

9. History of Pilipinas Kao, Inc. | Kao Chemicals

10. The Secret Behind the Birth of Kao’s Symbol, the “Moon Mark”｜花王 公式note編集部

11. Looking back at the history and present of Kao shampoo with treasured materials｜花王 公式note編集部