Aiming to Enter the Market with Newly Developed "Enzymes"

I was engaged by a leading Japanese chemical manufacturer seeking to enter the food ingredient market by launching a newly developed, non-GMO enzyme. Despite the innovation, the company lacked in-depth knowledge of the enzyme market landscape and key players and had no clear framework for assessing the commercial value of its product.
Drawing on my industry insights, I delivered comprehensive global market data, competitive intelligence on major enzyme manufacturers, and a customized entry strategy. Based on my analysis, I recommend a partnership-based approach with existing global enzyme producers as the most effective route to market. I also facilitated introductions to potential overseas partners with strong track records.
This strategic input helped clients clarify their positioning, accelerate internal decision-making, and build confidence in their commercialization roadmap.

Deep Expertise in Enzyme Markets – and Beyond

With a strong track record working across Japanese and international enzyme producers, I bring hands-on knowledge of regulatory nuances, including applications not yet approved in Japan. My cross-border experience allowed me to provide actionable, real-world insights that added tangible value from day one.
In addition to enzymes, I provide strategic support for a broad range of food ingredients, including emulsifiers, hydrocolloids, sugar alcohols, and organic acids, helping clients navigate market complexities and unlock growth opportunities.

2.  Major Food Manufacturer

Market Entry into Southeast Asia

Overseas Frozen Food Expansion Project, Including Production

I was invited from the inception stage of a major expansion project by one of Japan’s top food manufacturers. The project aims to enter the Southeast Asian frozen food market. The client sought internal analysis and external, grounded perspectives to inform their strategy.
Rather than rushing into M&A, I strongly advised a phased approach—starting with OEM production to test and build a market presence before pursuing more significant commitments. I identified and assessed suitable countries, created a shortlist based on key market dynamics, and mapped out potential local manufacturers with production capabilities aligned to the client’s needs. My deliverables included a detailed profiling of each candidate, highlighting capacity, product lines, operational culture, and leadership characteristics.

On-the-Ground Insights Through Trusted Networks

What truly set this project apart was the depth and quality of local intelligence. Leveraging long-standing relationships with Japanese-affiliated companies and regional stakeholders, I gathered nuanced insights beyond publicly available data.
This allowed the client to evaluate partners based on technical compatibility and long-term alignment, including M&A suitability. My strategic input was highly valued for enabling data-driven, locally grounded decision-making in a region where “who you partner with” can make or break market success.

3. Mid-Sized Food Company

New Expansion into Overseas Markets

Realizing Overseas Expansion from Scratch and Creating a Path to the Future

I provided end-to-end strategic advisory for a mid-sized Japanese food company, focusing on the United States, as it made its first entry into international markets.
The project began with selecting the most promising products from their existing portfolio and identifying necessary improvements for overseas appeal. I then led the development of a go-to-market strategy—narrowing down target regions in the U.S., identifying high-potential B2B clients, and securing a suitable trading company as a local distribution partner.
Beyond that, I facilitated a formal partnership with a U.S.-based research institution to support product validation and long-term market scalability. The result was a successful launch and a sustainable roadmap for future expansion.

Beyond Market Entry – Building Foundations for Long-Term Growth

Since this was a ground-up global expansion effort, my advisory scope extended across product strategy, regulatory due diligence, channel development, and cross-border partnership structuring.
The complexity of the U.S. market—particularly around state-level differences in IP laws—required precise guidance, including identifying local legal and technical experts to ensure compliance. Despite these challenges, we secured commercial traction and a strategic R&D alliance, creating a future-facing platform for innovation and growth.
This initiative has since been a model for other mid-sized Japanese firms seeking smart, scalable entry into competitive overseas markets.

4. Major Corporations – R&D Departments

Proposing Research Themes

Unearthing the Seeds of Next-Generation Innovation Hidden in Emerging Trends

Leading food manufacturers have invited me to deliver presentations on the latest global trends in food innovation. For instance, a beverage company requested insights on the current global water crisis and asked me to propose the potential roles water-related companies should play in addressing it. Another major player sought a lecture on the current landscape of alternative proteins and future trends worldwide.
In gathering such insights, I make a concerted effort to obtain information directly from both domestic and international sources. This kind of “real-time, firsthand intelligence” is a crucial compass when directing R&D activities.

Valuable Intelligence from Personal Networks

The food industry's landscape is evolving rapidly, and much valuable information is not readily available online. That’s why personal networks—with research institutions, government agencies, and other professionals—serve as irreplaceable intelligence sources. This constantly refreshing, behind-the-scenes information often sparks the next big research idea.

Enhancing Offerings Behind the Scenes

While it goes without saying that major café chains must develop differentiated menus and increase average customer spending, many rely on external suppliers for items like sandwiches and cakes. This means that factors beyond taste—such as production efficiency, supplier compatibility, and shelf stability—come into play.
In this context, I have provided a wide range of behind-the-scenes support to drive menu innovation. This includes helping to select optimal suppliers based on their strengths, streamlining outsourced production, and improving quality by leveraging enzymes and functional ingredients to address issues like dryness in baked goods or to explore new processing methods.

Practical Back-End Solutions That Drive Results

Regarding café menu development, attention tends to focus on trends, visual appeal, or flavor. However, my contributions lie not in “creative ideation” but in improving operational efficiency and product quality. Drawing on my extensive experience in the bakery sector and deep knowledge of materials, catalysts, and enzymes, I offer technically grounded proposals that lead directly to better quality and cost performance.

6. Mid-Sized Trading Company (Non-Food Sector)

M&A Advisory for Entry into the Functional Food Import Business

Strategic Focus and Compatibility as Key Success Factors

A mid-sized Japanese trading company with no prior experience in the food sector sought to enter the functional food market and requested my support in exploring the acquisition of a domestic food import trading firm. Given the broad scope of “functional foods,” I began by narrowing the focus to high-potential subcategories. Then, I proposed a curated list of candidate companies, carefully assessing their business fit and mutual compatibility.
This attention to compatibility is especially critical when dealing with owner-led businesses, where the owner's mindset and values can significantly influence the success of any partnership or acquisition.

Leveraging Experience in the Food Ingredient Business

Having previously overseen the food ingredient division at a major manufacturer, I maintain strong and ongoing relationships with a wide network of companies in the industry. As a result, I am not only familiar with surface-level data, but also possess insights into each company's internal culture, leadership philosophy, and non-public information.
In this project, I went beyond simply supplying a list of candidates—providing guidance on how best to approach and engage with the selected firms to ensure a successful outcome.