Meiji

Overview

Meiji Holdings Co., Ltd. (Japanese: 明治, Meiji) is a prominent Japanese conglomerate specialising in food, nutrition, and pharmaceuticals. Internationally, the brand is widely recognised for its chocolate, milk, yoghurt, infant formula, sports nutrition, and other health-focused food products.1 While many consumers associate Meiji primarily with confectionery, the company possesses a broad history encompassing dairy, nutritional science, and pharmaceutical manufacturing.

The modern corporate structure was established in 2009 under Meiji Holdings Co., Ltd. Its principal operating subsidiaries include Meiji Co., Ltd., which manages the food and nutrition business, and Meiji Seika Pharma Co., Ltd., which oversees pharmaceutical operations.2

Corporate Profile

Item	Information
Brand / Corporate Name	Meiji (明治)
Country of Origin	Japan
Origins	1916
Original Company	Tokyo Confectionery Co., Ltd.
Modern Holding Company	Meiji Holdings Co., Ltd.
Headquarters	Tokyo, Japan
Main Consumer Company	Meiji Co., Ltd.
Major Fields	Confectionery, dairy, nutrition, health foods, infant nutrition, sports nutrition, pharmaceuticals
Best-Known Products	Meiji Milk Chocolate, Meiji Bulgaria Yogurt, Meiji milk, infant formula, SAVAS, various chocolate snacks
Corporate Group Established	2009
Current Positioning	Food, nutrition, health and pharmaceutical group

For the fiscal year ended March 2025, Meiji Holdings reported consolidated sales of approximately ¥1.154 trillion. As of 31 March 2025, the group employed 17,231 people on a consolidated basis.3

Business Scope

Meiji operates as a comprehensive food, nutrition, health, and pharmaceutical group. Unlike manufacturers focused exclusively on snacks or beverages, Meiji’s portfolio has historically integrated both “deliciousness” and “health”. The consumer food business encompasses chocolate and confectionery, milk and dairy products, yoghurt, infant formula, children’s nutrition, sports nutrition, nutritional and health foods, ice cream, cheese, and gummies.4

In addition to consumer goods, the wider Meiji Group maintains significant operations in pharmaceuticals and vaccines. This dual focus distinguishes the corporate identity, which emphasises nutrition, health, quality, and everyday enjoyment rather than functioning solely as a confectionery manufacturer.

History

Foundation and Early Years

The origins of Meiji date back to 1916 with the establishment of Tokyo Confectionery Co., Ltd. in Tokyo. During this period, Western-style confectionery was gaining popularity in Japan, yet domestic supply relied heavily on imports. The founders aimed to produce high-quality Western confectionery locally.5 By 1917, the company had commenced production of caramels and biscuits. Simultaneously, the lineage of the dairy business began to take shape through the founding of a predecessor entity.6 Consequently, Meiji was not originally established as a chocolate-exclusive company.

Expansion into Dairy

The dairy segment developed in parallel with confectionery. In 1921, the company launched Meiji Merry Milk, a condensed milk product. Over subsequent years, Meiji expanded into fresh milk and other dairy categories, establishing a second foundational pillar for the brand.7 The combination of confectionery and dairy capabilities became central to Meiji’s later corporate identity.

Launch of Meiji Milk Chocolate

A pivotal moment in the company’s history occurred in 1926 with the introduction of Meiji Milk Chocolate. Meiji imported manufacturing machinery from Germany and engaged German experts to refine production techniques. The resulting product achieved significant commercial success and established Meiji as a leading chocolate manufacturer in Japan.8 Notably, the product has retained a version of its distinctive brown-and-gold packaging, preserving its historical visual identity.9 The company describes itself as having been a leading chocolate brand in Japan for nearly a century since this launch.10

Post-War Diversification

Following World War II, Meiji expanded beyond confectionery into new sectors. The company entered the pharmaceutical field by commencing penicillin production in 1946, subsequently developing antibiotics and other medicinal products.11 Concurrently, the food business grew to include milk, infant formula, yoghurt, chocolate, confectionery, and nutrition products. This era marked the emergence of the modern Meiji model integrating food, nutrition, health, and pharmaceuticals.

Iconic Product Era (1960s–1970s)

The 1960s and 1970s were formative decades for Meiji’s consumer brand portfolio. Key launches during this period included Marble Chocolate (1961), Almond Chocolate (1962), Caru/Curl (カール) (1968), Apollo Chocolate (1969), Meiji Plain Yogurt (1971), and Meiji Bulgaria Yogurt (1973).12 Many of these products evolved into enduring Japanese consumer brands.

Meiji Bulgaria Yogurt

The development of Meiji Bulgaria Yogurt is particularly notable. During the 1970 Osaka Expo, Meiji employees encountered Bulgarian-style yoghurt and sought to replicate its authentic characteristics in Japan. Following extensive research, Meiji launched Meiji Plain Yogurt in 1971. After securing permission to use the name “Bulgaria”, the company commercially released Meiji Bulgaria Yogurt in 1973.13 It subsequently became one of Meiji’s flagship dairy brands.

Health and Sports Nutrition (1980s–2000s)

Responding to growing consumer interest in health and nutrition, Meiji expanded its portfolio into sports nutrition, protein, functional foods, collagen, nutritional beverages, specialised nutrition, and probiotic yoghurt. The SAVAS sports nutrition brand, for example, was established in 1980.14 During the late 1990s and early 2000s, the company also developed products such as Amino Collagen, Meiji Probio Yogurt LG21, and Meiji Oishii Gyunyu.15 This period facilitated a shift in perception from a confectionery manufacturer to a broader food-and-health brand.

Formation of Meiji Holdings

A major corporate restructuring took place in 2009 when Meiji Holdings Co., Ltd. was established on 1 April as the holding company overseeing the former Meiji Seika and Meiji Dairies businesses.16 In 2011, operations were reorganised into separate operating companies, most notably Meiji Co., Ltd. for the food business and Meiji Seika Pharma Co., Ltd. for the pharmaceutical business.17 Today, the term “Meiji” may refer to the consumer brand, the food company Meiji Co., Ltd., or the wider Meiji Holdings Group.

Major Product Categories

Chocolate

Chocolate remains the category most strongly associated with Meiji. The portfolio includes Meiji Milk Chocolate, Meiji Black Chocolate, Meiji Chocolate Kouka, Meiji The Chocolate, Almond Chocolate, Apollo, Meltykiss, and Galbo. The company’s chocolate heritage dates to 1926,18 with Meiji Milk Chocolate remaining on the market for approximately a century.

Milk and Dairy

Dairy constitutes the other historic pillar of the business. Products include fresh milk, yoghurt, cheese, drinking yoghurt, and other dairy-based items. A notable example is Meiji Oishii Gyunyu, introduced in 2002 as part of a strategy emphasising taste and added value.19

Yoghurt

Yoghurt is a significant health-oriented category for Meiji. Major brands include Meiji Bulgaria Yogurt, Meiji Probio Yogurt LG21, Meiji Probio Yogurt R-1, and PA-3. Meiji states that it launched Japan’s first plain yoghurt in 1971, helping to establish the category domestically.20

Infant Nutrition

Meiji has produced infant formula for decades, investing significantly in product development and usability. In 2007, the company introduced Meiji Hohoemi Raku Raku Cube, described as the world’s first infant formula in pre-portioned cube form. This innovation reflects a product philosophy focused on making nutritious products easier and more convenient to use.

Sports Nutrition

Meiji is a major player in the Japanese sports nutrition market. Its primary brand, SAVAS, was launched in 1980 and focuses on protein, muscle development, athletic performance, exercise nutrition, and recovery. This segment provides Meiji with a presence among consumers who may not primarily associate the company with chocolate or dairy.

Pharmaceuticals

Although the consumer-facing Meiji brand is strongly linked to food, pharmaceuticals have been integral to the group since 1946, when penicillin production began.21 The business later expanded to include antibiotics, vaccines, and other medicines. Today, pharmaceutical operations are principally managed by Meiji Seika Pharma and other entities within Meiji Holdings.22 This substantial pharmaceutical division distinguishes Meiji from many global food conglomerates.

Brand Philosophy and Identity

Nutrition is a central theme throughout Meiji’s history. Founder Hanji Soma expressed an ambition to contribute to society through nutrition, a concept that remains influential in the corporate philosophy.23 The philosophy can be summarised as combining taste, nutrition, health, and scientific expertise. This framework connects diverse product lines—from chocolate and milk to infant formula, protein, and pharmaceuticals—under the shared goal of improving lives through food and health.

Meiji’s brand identity is characterised by several distinct elements:

Japanese Heritage: With roots dating to 1916, the brand possesses over a century of history.24
Chocolate Heritage: Meiji Milk Chocolate, introduced in 1926, remains a defining product.25
Health and Nutrition Focus: The brand connects strongly with dairy, infant products, sports nutrition, and health foods rather than functioning solely as a confectionery label.
Product Innovation: Meiji has repeatedly introduced products intended to create new categories or habits, including early chocolate products, Japan’s first plain yoghurt, sports nutrition, and cube-format infant formula.26
Longevity: Many brands have remained in the Japanese market for decades, often with gradual evolution in packaging and recipes rather than complete replacement.

Key Brands

The Meiji consumer portfolio comprises numerous individual brands. Prominent examples include:

Category	Examples
Chocolate	Meiji Milk Chocolate, Black Chocolate, The Chocolate
Chocolate Snacks	Apollo, Almond Chocolate, Galbo, Meltykiss
Yoghurt	Bulgaria Yogurt, LG21, R-1, PA-3
Milk	Meiji Oishii Gyunyu
Sports Nutrition	SAVAS, VAAM
Infant Nutrition	Meiji Hohoemi, Meiji Step
Health / Beauty	Amino Collagen
Nutritional Foods	Meibalance
Cheese / Dairy	Meiji Hokkaido Tokachi products

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Name and Historical Context

The name “Meiji” (明治) is identical to the word used for the Meiji era of Japanese history (1868–1912). However, the company was founded in 1916, four years after the end of the Meiji era.28 Therefore, the corporate name should not be interpreted as indicating that the company was founded during the Meiji era.

International Presence

While Meiji is particularly prominent in Japan, the group has expanded internationally throughout its history. Pharmaceutical exports began in 1950, followed by the expansion of food and pharmaceutical businesses into multiple overseas markets.29 The international strategy has involved both exporting Japanese-developed products and establishing overseas operations. For instance, CP-Meiji was established in Thailand in 1989 as part of the overseas dairy expansion.30 This global footprint explains the availability of Meiji products across parts of Asia.

Significance in Japan

Meiji is significant for its role in the development of modern Japanese food culture. The company’s evolution spans Western confectionery, chocolate, dairy, yoghurt, infant nutrition, sports nutrition, functional foods, and pharmaceuticals. Consequently, its products appear at various stages of Japanese consumers’ lives, from infancy through adulthood and old age. The company describes its historical trajectory as a movement from confectionery and dairy toward a broader focus on health and nutrition.31

About Meiji