- Business
- TSUMURA & CO. (TSMRF) manufactures and markets Kampo medicines, traditional Japanese herbal formulations derived from natural crude drugs; its core products encompass prescription granular Kampo formulations covering therapeutic areas such as female disorders, fatigue, skin conditions, gastrointestinal issues, obesity, constipation, hemorrhoids, body aches, colds, coughs, nasal and throat inflammation, pediatric illnesses, stress, and urinary problems; over-the-counter Kampo medicines and pharmaceuticals; Kampo extract intermediates; and herbal bath salts. Founded on April 10, 1893, and incorporated on April 25, 1936, the company maintains its headquarters at 2-17-11 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8521, Japan, and employs 4,272 people on a consolidated basis as of March 31, 2025, with primary operations in Japan focused on a vertically integrated Kampo value chain from raw material cultivation and procurement through quality control, research and development, manufacturing, and distribution. The firm holds a dominant position in Japan's prescription Kampo market, supported by high barriers to entry from its proprietary supply chain expertise ensuring consistent quality and clinical reproducibility of natural crude drugs.
Tsumura extends its reach internationally through subsidiaries including Tsumura China Inc., Ping An Tsumura Inc., and Tsumura USA Inc., targeting expansion in the Chinese traditional medicine sector amid the Healthy China 2030 initiative emphasizing standardization and scale-up of Chinese herbal products. Recent strategic developments include the June 2025 agreement and subsequent November 2025 completion of Tsumura China Inc.'s acquisition of a 51% stake in Shanghai Hongqiao Traditional Chinese Drug Pieces Co., Ltd. for approximately 23.27 billion yen to bolster its crude drug platform and traceability capabilities in China, with financial impacts under review for the fiscal year ending March 2026. Earlier alliances encompass the establishment of PINGAN TSUMURA TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. in 2022, a letter of intent with Jianmin Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd. in 2022, and prior capital and joint venture agreements with Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd. and Tianjin China Medico Technology Co., Ltd. dating back to 2017-2020, alongside ongoing enhancements to its medium-term management plan through FY2027 announced in May 2025, upward revisions to earnings and dividend forecasts in November 2025, and share repurchase programs.