Japan focus: Our top stories featuring Japan’s cosmetics industry

1 – Popularity of J-beauty products fuelling @cosme expansion in APAC market

Japanese company istyle Inc. is capitalising on the popularity of Japanese cosmetic products by expanding its @cosme stores across Asia Pacific​ and targeting greater online sales in China

In recent years, the company has expanded @cosme’s presence in several APAC countries such as Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia and China.

Most recently, the company launched an official flagship store on Tmall specifically for the domestic China market, to capitalise on general trade sales in the country.

Prior to this, it conducted cross-border e-commerce sales to China through its official international flagship store on Tmall

Senior vice president Hajime Endo said the new ‘general trade’ flagship store minimised the risk of being impacted by China’s constantly changing e-commerce laws.

2 – ‘Revitalising whitening’ Pola Orbis debuts new active in POLA White Shot Series

Japanese beauty company Pola Orbis will debut its latest whitening active​ with the launch of two new products under POLA’s White Shot range, after the ingredient was approved under new stricter screening criteria.

The company announced that the new White Shot products, White Shot LX and White Shot MX will be released on May 24.

According to the company, these ‘quasi-drug’ product launches suppress melanin accumulation while preventing spots and freckles.

“With the launch of these products, which have been recognised for this efficacy and safety, we aim to further revitalise the whitening market,”​ said the company.

It highlighted that Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare approved the ingredient under the new stricter screening criteria.

The company claimed that the new active had a ‘totally different mechanism’ from other whitening actives available on the market.

3 – Tokiwa Corp. and Carlyle Group partner to capture growing demand for colour cosmetics

Investment firm The Carlyle Group has inked a deal to help Japanese cosmetics manufacturer Tokiwa Corporation accelerate its growth overseas​ as demand for colour cosmetics rises.

Yusuke Watanabe, director of the Carlyle Japan advisory team told CosmeticsDesign-Asia that the company saw an opportunity to help cosmetic brands keep up with the growing demand for colour cosmetics.

“We look forward to working with Tokiwa as the company continues to create ’beauty, emotion and joy‘ for its customers around the world,”​ said Watanabe.

The alliance with Carlyle will allow Tokiwa to expand its business operation not just in the Asian region but globally as well.

The aim is to establish the company as a global leader in cosmetics manufacturing.

4 – Japan’s Ci:Z Holdings aims to take flight in APAC travel retail market

Japanese cosmetics company Ci:z Holdings has identified travel retail as a strategic channel​ to help drive the sales of its two brands – Dr. Ci:Labo and Labo Labo.

Phillipe Gueulet, International Commercial Director of Dr. Ci:Labo, said it was the company’s priority to increase brand awareness and expansion within Asia-Pacific’s travel retail market.

“Travel retail is an incredibly powerful channel which offers unmatched potential for consumer engagement and brand building. Travellers have a relatively long dwell time at airports which means we have a captive audience who have time to explore our products,”​ said Gueulet.

He concluded: “Our investment in this channel is an important step as we look to reinforce the prestige credentials and brand equity of the Dr. Ci:Labo portfolio.”​

5 – Keeping it simple: Japan’s DHC expands men’s skin care range as interest in male grooming rises

The rising interest in skin care among Japanese men​ has prompted cosmetics manufacturer DHC Corporation to expand its product offerings.

The new line consists of five products that were launched this month and, according to the company, they contain quasi-drug ingredients as well as plant extracts such as green tea extract, castor bean extract and chamomile extract.

Tomohiko Kanai of DHC Corporation said the company felt it needed to develop products that addressed specific skin care concerns of its male consumers.

“DHC has always been an advocate for men’s skincare. Some of our men’s products, like After Shave Lotion, have been around from the beginning.​

“DHC began expanding its men’s skincare offering in 2007 and our most recent expansion is due to rising interest in skincare among men, specifically in areas that address skincare and lifestyle needs unique to men,”​ Kanai said.