Kyokuyo

Basic Information

Stock Code
1301
Industry
Fisheries and Agriculture/Forestry
Category Detail
Food Manufacturing
Prefecture
Tokyo
Establishment Year
September 1937
Listing Year
May 1949
Official Website
https://www.kyokuyo.co.jp/
TSE Information
TSE Information
Yahoo! Finance
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Other Companies
Nissui, Maruha Nichiro, Hagoromo Foods, Nichirei, Yokorei, Ichisho Kamaboko, Natori, STI Food Holdings, Kibun Foods, Okamura Food Industry, Nichimo

Overview

Kyokuyo is a Japanese fisheries and food company founded in 1937, engaged in fishing operations, processed foods, and logistics services, and has established a stable position in the fisheries industry.

Current Situation

Kyokuyo achieved consolidated sales of approximately 262.5 billion yen in the fiscal year ended March 2023, with business bases spanning the entire country centered in the Tokyo metropolitan area and overseas. Its main business involves purchasing and processing aquatic products, particularly bonito and tuna fishing as well as frozen food manufacturing, with strengths in supplying business-use sushi toppings. It also owns subsidiaries for frozen and refrigerated logistics, providing low-temperature logistics services and forming a robust value chain. After transitioning from long-term whaling operations, it has expanded the quality and diversity of seafood processed foods and is actively developing private brand products for Gyomu Super. In terms of management, it maintains stable net assets of 32.5 billion yen and 2,112 employees, while promoting business development with a focus on sustainable fisheries and environmental conservation. Moving forward, it will emphasize advanced technology development such as full-cultured tuna, strengthening overseas expansion, and expanding sales of business-use foods, aiming for mid- to long-term growth. It is also actively engaged in social contribution activities, continuing community support closely tied to local areas.

Trivia

Interesting Facts

  • Has manufactured the fish sausage 'Daily' since 1957, boasting a long history.
  • Supplies business sushi toppings to many conveyor belt sushi restaurants.
  • Formerly operated a whaling business and owned Antarctic whaling fleets.
  • Long-established fisheries industry company headquartered in Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo.
  • High expertise in frozen seafood processing technology, with a wide variety of products.
  • Global presence with multiple branches and offices domestically and abroad.
  • Develops private brands for Gyomu Super.
  • Company emblem features a dragonfly motif design.
  • Introduced proprietary technology for packaging frozen seafood.
  • Integrated operations from seafood purchasing and processing to logistics.

Hidden Connections

  • Strategic business alliance with Akindo Sushiro, strong in sushi material supply.
  • Capital alliance with Kappa Create, deep ties in the conveyor belt sushi sector.
  • One of the major shareholders of Chuo Fish, strong collaboration in the fish wholesaling industry.
  • Numerous major shareholders including Japan Master Trust Custody Bank serve as stable investors.
  • Group includes manufacturing and logistics subsidiaries, forming an integrated production-sales business structure.
  • Tokyo Marine & Nichido and Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance maintain ties as shareholders.
  • Influences everyday consumer diets widely through supplies to Gyomu Super.
  • Strengthens international transactions and global expansion with extensive overseas offices.

Future Outlook

Growth Drivers

  • Increased demand for fish due to strengthening health consciousness in Japan
  • Expansion and diversification response in the business food market
  • Improved evaluation of Japanese seafood technology in international markets
  • Promotion of sustainability-compliant product adoption
  • Introduction of advanced and efficient food logistics technologies
  • Results from next-generation aquaculture technology development
  • Strengthening of private brands domestically and internationally
  • Expansion into alternative protein markets
  • Supply chain reforms via digital technology
  • Business system enhancements to meet environmental regulations
  • Further expansion of overseas business
  • Product development tailored to diversifying consumer preferences

Strategic Goals

  • Expansion of domestic market share and growth in business sector
  • Development and production of products with significantly reduced environmental impact
  • Increase overseas sales ratio beyond current levels
  • Accelerate business alliances to expand sales channels
  • Commercialization and market introduction of alternative protein products
  • Expansion and efficiency of frozen/refrigerated logistics services
  • Contribution to sustainable fishery resource management
  • Strengthening compliance with international food safety standards
  • Promotion of coexistence with local communities and food education activities
  • Productivity improvements through technological innovation

Business Segments

Business Seafood Raw Material Supply

Overview
Supplies high-quality, stable seafood raw materials to the sushi and food service industries.
Competitiveness
Long years of seafood processing technology and stable supply network
Customers
  • Conveyor belt sushi chains
  • Sushi restaurants
  • Food service industry
  • School lunch providers
  • Food processing companies
Products
  • Frozen tuna fillets
  • Frozen salmon fillets
  • Surimi products
  • Sushi-use seafood processed products
  • Fish meal
  • Fish oil

Logistics and Warehousing Services

Overview
Provides highly efficient logistics support centered on frozen and refrigerated low-temperature logistics services.
Competitiveness
Expertise in low-temperature logistics tailored to the industry
Customers
  • Food wholesalers
  • Manufacturers
  • Trading companies
  • Retailers
Products
  • Low-temperature frozen and refrigerated storage
  • Shared logistics services
  • Shipping and distribution management

Seafood Trading

Overview
Leverages an extensive global network for seafood procurement and sales.
Competitiveness
Experience and track record in multi-country transactions
Customers
  • Overseas fisheries operators
  • Domestic processing manufacturers
Products
  • Seafood import and export
  • Processed raw material procurement

Processed Food Manufacturing

Overview
Provides high technological capabilities and diverse product range in seafood processed food manufacturing.
Competitiveness
Long-cultivated processing technology and quality control
Customers
  • Retail stores
  • Food manufacturers
  • Restaurant chains
Products
  • Fish sausages
  • Powdered beverages
  • Frozen prepared foods

Business Food Development

Overview
Develops products specialized for food service and establishes stable supply systems.
Competitiveness
Customer-focused responsiveness and development capabilities
Customers
  • Food service companies
  • Deli manufacturers
  • Frozen food sellers
Products
  • Business frozen sushi toppings
  • Ready-to-cook seafood processed products
  • Deli-use seafood materials

Aquaculture Feed Supply

Overview
Provides feed contributing to growth promotion and quality maintenance in farmed fish.
Competitiveness
High-quality feed manufacturing utilizing fishery resources
Customers
  • Aquaculture operators
  • Aquaculture research institutions
Products
  • Fish meal pellets
  • Fish oil raw materials

Export Business

Overview
Supplies safe, high-quality seafood to overseas markets.
Competitiveness
Expertise in export regulations and quality management
Customers
  • Overseas seafood processors
  • International food wholesalers
Products
  • Seafood processed products
  • Farmed fish

Packaging Material Supply

Overview
Deploys packaging materials contributing to freshness preservation of seafood products.
Competitiveness
Close collaboration with seafood processing sites
Customers
  • Food processors
  • Logistics operators
Products
  • Low-temperature packaging materials
  • Insulated bags

Food Safety Management Support

Overview
Provides support for building food safety management systems.
Competitiveness
Instructional capabilities based on industry know-how and track record
Customers
  • Processors
  • Logistics operators
Products
  • HACCP compliance support
  • Quality management systems

Overseas Fishery Resource Surveys

Overview
Supports sustainable fisheries through resource surveys and management proposals.
Competitiveness
Expertise based on long years of whaling and fishing experience
Customers
  • Fisheries associations
  • Government agencies
Products
  • Ocean area survey data
  • Resource management proposals

Seafood Waste Recycling

Overview
Recycling services for waste to reduce environmental impact.
Competitiveness
Efficient resource recovery technology for seafood waste
Customers
  • Food processing plants
  • Feed manufacturers
Products
  • Fish bone meal
  • Oil and fat recovery products

Food Raw Material Imports

Overview
Smoothly supports raw material procurement from overseas.
Competitiveness
Experience in multi-country transactions and distribution networks
Customers
  • Food manufacturing companies
  • Retailers
Products
  • Seafood raw materials
  • Seasonings

Competitive Advantage

Strengths

  • Long years of experience in seafood processing and fishing
  • Solid domestic and international logistics network
  • Diverse seafood product lineup
  • High market share in business sushi toppings
  • Stable large-scale procurement capabilities
  • Private brand product rollout
  • Specialized packaging and logistics services
  • Extensive sales channel network
  • Commitment to promoting sustainable fisheries
  • Multinational trade handling capabilities
  • Stable financial foundation
  • Abundant number of employees and technicians
  • Region-rooted sales expansion
  • Robust food safety management system
  • Comprehensive research and development framework

Competitive Advantages

  • Rapid supply via proprietary seafood logistics network
  • Strong product development and branding for Gyomu Super
  • Ocean resource utilization technology gained from long-term whaling
  • Expertise and stable operations in bonito and tuna business
  • Efficient operation and wide coverage of frozen/refrigerated warehouses
  • Versatile responsiveness and quality control for business foods
  • Business bases and sales networks spanning domestically and internationally
  • Promotion of environmentally responsive product development for the future
  • Synergy effects with group companies
  • Ample capital strength and stable major shareholder composition
  • Product lineup tailored to diverse food cultures
  • Strong partnerships with government and industry
  • Product development and mechanization by specialized technicians
  • Sales channel expansion through business alliances
  • High product safety responding to consumer orientation

Threats

  • Risk of declining global fishery resources
  • Impact of exchange rate fluctuations on import costs
  • Cost pressures from rising feed prices
  • Aggressive low-price strategies by competitors
  • Fluctuations in catch volumes due to climate change
  • Potential strengthening of international trade regulations and import/export restrictions
  • Demand fluctuations from changes in consumer health consciousness
  • Increased business burden from stricter environmental regulations
  • Rise of emerging alternative protein technologies
  • Risk of productivity decline due to labor shortages
  • Political instability in overseas markets
  • Brand damage from food safety incidents

Innovations

2024: New business dashi raw material manufacturing factory

Overview
Constructed a new factory for business dashi raw materials in Kagoshima Prefecture to strengthen raw material procurement and production capacity.
Impact
Revenue expansion and quality improvement in the business raw materials business

2023: Stabilization of full-farmed bluefin tuna technology

Overview
Contributed to establishing stable production systems through involvement in full-farmed bluefin tuna technology development.
Impact
Contribution to securing sustainable tuna resources

2023: Reduction in plastic use for frozen food packaging

Overview
Reduced plastic usage by introducing environmentally friendly packaging materials.
Impact
Reduced environmental impact and improved brand image

2022: Improvement in fish sausage manufacturing method

Overview
Improved conventional method to enhance texture and production efficiency.
Impact
Strengthened market competitiveness and improved customer satisfaction

2021: Advanced low-temperature logistics service system

Overview
Introduced IoT-based warehouse management and delivery optimization systems.
Impact
Cost reduction through logistics efficiency and maintained quality

Sustainability

  • Promotion of sustainable use of fishery resources
  • Improvement of packaging materials to reduce environmental impact
  • Community support through coexistence with local society
  • Efforts to reduce food loss via low-temperature logistics
  • Reduction of food waste through stable supply of business ingredients
  • Workstyle reforms and enhanced safety and health for employees
  • Expansion of recycling utilization of seafood waste
  • Promotion of environmental conservation activities in collaboration with fishermen
  • Sustainable development of aquaculture technology
  • Food education support through social contribution activities