- Business
- Ito En, Ltd. operates as a leading manufacturer and distributor of tea and beverage products, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, and founded in 1966. The company’s main product portfolio includes a diverse range of Japanese teas such as green tea, roasted green tea (hojicha), oolong tea, black tea, barley tea, and various tea leaf products including tea bags and instant teas. Ito En also produces and sells coffee beverages, fruit and vegetable drinks, yoghurt, milk, and other dairy products. These products are distributed through multiple channels including convenience stores, supermarkets, vending machines, and mass retail outlets primarily in Japan and internationally. The company additionally operates café and specialty coffee franchises and manages franchise chain store systems. Recent significant developments include the launch of a new medium-term management plan spanning fiscal 2024 to 2028, focused on accelerating global expansion with emphasis on the Oi Ocha brand, evolving the tea-producing region development project, optimizing the supply chain, and creating new value propositions centered on tea and health. Ito En has also introduced new flavors in its ready-to-drink Matcha LOVE product line and continues to expand its global marketing and production systems. The company remains a dominant player in Japan’s soft drink industry and is actively growing its international presence through innovative beverage offerings and strategic business transformations. The company employs approximately 7,900 people and navigates a competitive landscape as Japan’s fourth-largest soft drink producer by volume. Its recent initiatives underscore a strategic focus on sustainability and global brand development alongside core beverage production.