About us

Kanro Inc., founded in Japan’s Yamaguchi Prefecture in 1912, is a confectionery company that produces best-selling hard candies and gummies. Since then, our ongoing challenge has been to use our knowledge and passion to realize the unique potential of sugar.

This founding commitment—centered on, but not limited to, sugar—inspires our goal of sharing the joy embodied in each Kanro product with people all around the world.

Our purpose

We Sweeten the Future to open hearts. It's our purpose.

In a moment of flavor, our confections unleash feelings of relief, excitement, forgiveness, sometimes even inspire a whistle or hum.

Feelings that open hearts.

Championing sweetness, we apply innovative technology to contribute to a thriving tomorrow for humanity and the Earth, opening hearts and minds to possibilities.

Company profile

Company name

Kanro Inc.

Head Office

3-20-2, Tokyo Opera City Building 37F, Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 163-1437

Established

May 6, 1950

Capital

JPY 2.864 billion (as of June 30, 2024)Listed on the Standard Market of the Tokyo Stock Exchange

Employees

668 (As of June 30, 2024)

Business activities

Manufacture and sale of confections and food

Production plants
  1. Hikari Plant （568 Takao, Kozuo, Hikari, Yamaguchi 743-0061）
    - Certified ISO 14001 February 2000
    - Certified FSSC 22000 April 2018
  2. Matsumoto Plant （6002-4 Sasaga, Matsumoto, Nagano 399-0033)
    - Certified ISO 14001 February 2001
    - Certified FSSC 22000 April 2019
  3. Asahi Plant (2216-1 Yanagikubo, Komi, Asahi-mura, Higashichikuma-gun, Nagano 390-1104)
    - Certified ISO 14001 November 2011
    - Certified FSSC 22000 July 2015

History of Kanro

1912
On November 10th, company founder Masaichi Miyamoto opened the Miyamoto Seika-jo in the Kiyoyama district of a village called Shimada in Kumage, Yamaguchi Prefecture--today the city of Hikari
1950
Reorganized into a joint-stock organization under the name Miyamoto Seika Co., Ltd. with capital of JPY 1 million
1959
Constructed Matsumoto Plant in the city of Matsumoto in Nagano
1960
Kanro Ame became a huge hit, and the company changed its name to Kanro Inc.
1973
Signed a sole sales agent contract with Mitsubishi Corporation
1981
Launched "Kenko Nodoame" (throat drops), a first in the confections and food businesses
1982
Relocated Matsumoto Plant to a new facility in the Sasaga district of Matsumoto, Nagano
1998
Relocated its head office to a new building in Nakano-ku, Tokyo
2002
Launched of gummy brand "Puré Gummy"
2010
Constructed the new Asahi Plant in the village of Asahi in Higashichikuma, Nagano
2012
Opened HITOTUBU KANRO, our first retail outlet, in Tokyo Station, and launched the milk candy "Kin no Milk" (Kanro Golden Milk Candy)
2017
Introduced new corporate identity
2018
Relocated its head office to Tokyo Opera City Bld, (Shinjuku, Tokyo)
2022
Formulate the company's purpose. "Sweeten the Future to open hearts."
2024
Expanded the production line of gummy at Matsumoto Factory, Nagano