Kagome Co., Ltd. (カゴメ株式会社) is a Japanese manufacturer and distributor of tomato-based foods, and fruit and vegetable juices.[2]
Its core product is the Yasai Seikatsu 100 brand of vegetable juice, introduced in 1995.[1][3] It also claims to be Japan's largest supplier of tomato ketchup and tomato juice.[1] Kagome grows tomatoes in greenhouses and market gardens in Japan.[1]
Since 2007, it has partnered with Asahi Breweries to develop low alcohol fruit and vegetable drinks.[4]
Ichitaro Kanie began cultivating tomatoes in 1899 — according to Kagome, these were the first grown in Japan.[1] He soon began producing tomato ketchup and Worcester sauce.[1] However, tomato juice was not sold until 1933.[1] The Kagome trademark was registered in 1917, and the Aichi Tomato Co., Ltd was incorporated in 1949.[1] In 1963, Aichi Tomato became Kagome Co., Ltd, and fifteen years later, gained a listing on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.[1]
Beginning with the 1998 incorporation of a United States subsidiary, Kagome developed overseas, with subsidiaries and minority stakes in affiliates in Asia, North America and Europe, and a strategic alliance with the H. J. Heinz Company.[1][6][7][8] It also purchased a Japanese company specializing in vegetable lactic acid bacteria, Yukijirushi Labio Co., Ltd, now Kagome Labio Co., Ltd.[1]
