At its 64th regular general meeting, held in Tokyo on May 20, the All Japan Soy Sauce Manufacturers’ Cooperative Federation selected Yasumasa Tajima, an adviser to Kikkoman, as its new Executive Managing Director in a by-election following the retirement of Executive Managing Director Setsuya Hannya. Tajima also serves as Executive Managing Director of the Japan Soy Sauce Association, a post he assumed on March 19, and as Executive Managing Director of the Japan Soy Sauce Technology Center, a post he assumed on May 21.
At a networking party following the general meeting, Tajima pointed out that “it is important to work on defense and offense as a set.” Regarding “offense,” he referred to developing overseas markets and said, “I would like to prepare a launch pad so that everyone can take off, and provide support from behind,” adding, “I would like to increase the number of businesses working on exports.”
At the regular general meeting, the fiscal 2025 business report and financial statements were approved. Concerning the growing distribution within Japan of imported namashoyu—unpasteurized, raw soy sauce—it was reported that the industry is first considering rules requiring the brewing location to be clearly indicated on labels.
Chairman Takashi Shoda, President of Shoda Shoyu, referred to the Middle East situation and U.S.-China relations in his opening remarks. “At times like these, we should bring together the strength of a group such as this and try to move the current situation in a better direction, even if only slightly,” he said.
