We aim to achieve sustainable growth through our capabilities as a trading company
and manufacturer by listening earnestly to the voices of our shareholders and investors.
The Lacto Japan Group launched its new mid-term management plan, “NEXT-LJ 2028” in January 2026, positioning it as a plan to build the foundation for future growth.
Under “NEXT-LJ 2028” we have formulated growth strategies for each division based on three basic policies: focus on growth areas and improve value creation capabilities, maximize return on capital, and strengthen global talent. In addition to expanding our domestic business by strengthening initiatives in promising food sectors and developing new products, we will continue to pursue our evolution into a diversified food company by expanding our Cheese Manufacturing and Sales Division in Asia and strengthening our production framework.
A diversified food company represents our vision for the future. It is realized by expanding two axes of growth: a vertical axis of expanding our product lineup, achieved through deeper development of existing products and proposals for new products, and a horizontal axis of expanding our manufacturing functions.
The key driver for diversifying our product lineup is the expansion of sales of functional food ingredients. In 2020, we established the Business Development Division, and in 2025 it was renamed the Life Science Business Division with the aim of further expanding our product lineup. Against a backdrop of growing health consciousness, the division has steadily expanded sales not only of our core products—dairy-derived functional food ingredients—but also of new products such as plant-based protein ingredients. We have long-standing relationships with major global suppliers that possess advanced technological capabilities and have developed a deep understanding of the characteristics of each company’s products. This enables us to propose ingredients tailored to diverse customer needs. By leveraging these strengths, we will not only expand sales of functional food ingredients but also work on the combination of products, creating new added value by combining dairy products with functional food ingredients.
Meanwhile, the key driver for expanding our manufacturing functions is our Cheese Manufacturing and Sales Division in Asia. We began this business in Singapore in 2003 and have since expanded our manufacturing and processing operations to Thailand and Indonesia.
I was personally stationed in Singapore in 2016, where I witnessed firsthand the expansion of the dairy market in Asia. I am confident that demand for cheese and other dairy products will continue to grow in the years ahead. To accelerate the expansion of our Cheese Manufacturing and Sales Division, we are constructing a new plant in Singapore in 2026 and aim to increase production volume to 2.5 times the current level within 10 years. Looking ahead, we will also explore the possibility of manufacturing new products other than cheese that can generate synergies with our existing businesses.
As management challenges continue to evolve with the times, I recognize that my role is to develop closer relationships with the management of our business partners and create a comfortable work environment for our frontline employees. I would like to continue to visit our worksites whenever possible and engage in tasks together with our employees. One of the major roles of senior management is to communicate the Group’s business activities, performance, and initiatives for future growth to those outside the organization. Therefore, I will also actively engage in IR activities. I ask for the continued understanding and support of our shareholders and investors as we strive to achieve sustainable growth by responding to their feedback in earnest.
Shin Kojima
Representative Director,
President and Executive Officer
Lacto Japan Co., Ltd.
