Nosawa is a comprehensive trading company founded in Japan in 1869. The company is active with products and services relating to people’s lives, including food, livestock, machinery and apparel. In Europe, the company is strengthening its activities through Nosawa Amsterdam and is gaining new business and long-term partners.
A Balance of Tradition and Innovation
With a history of 150 years, Nosawa values both its tradition and innovative thinking while nurturing close relationships with customers and industry partners around the world.
Continuously innovating and embracing challenges, over the course of the company’s long 150-year history, the Nosawa product range and international network has evolved significantly.
By pursuing new challenges with dedication, time and effort Nosawa is reaching out to new markets and growing its international business connections.
President’s Message: Kiichiro Nosawa, President, Representative Director
“With an eye toward our 200th anniversary 50 years from now. As we commemorate our 150th anniversary, we honor our predecessors for their contributions who worked with a strong passion and provided pioneering solutions that matched the changing needs of the time and raised Japan’s economic power and contribution to the world in many fields.
Looking towards our 200th anniversary, we will work together to build a bright future considering the vision of founder Mr. Unokichi Nosawa. With an updated corporate philosophy and Mission:
“Standing on Samurai spirit & business acumen, we contribute to the development of the industry with pioneering solutions”
To succeed in our Mission, we can follow the Vision of Gentleman’s Agreement and Total Approach. Let’s do business with a challenging spirit! Mutual trust is a core part of our relationships with customers, suppliers, and office associates and aligns with our Vision of the Gentleman Agreement.
As we consider Total Approach, we will put our heads together to contribute to the development of the industry by offering professional functions and pioneering ideas to promote our customers’ growth.”
As we consider Total Approach, we will put our heads together to contribute to the development of the industry by offering professional functions and pioneering ideas to promote our customers’ growth.
Kiichiro Nosawa, President and Representative Director of Nosawa
Nosawa Amsterdam
Nosawa Amsterdam is focusing on growing the business in Europe. The Amsterdam team promotes Nosawa’s products in Europe, supported by an export team in Marunouchi, Tokyo.
The Amsterdam team finds the opportunities in Europe while the Tokyo team ensures that products arrive safely and securely in Amsterdam.
Naoya Yokota, Vice President of Nosawa Amsterdam B.V. spoke with Bridges.
Bridges: What is the main business of Nozawa Amsterdam?
Yokota: Established in 2015, Nosawa Amsterdam is a Japanese import company based in The Netherlands.With our partner Nosawa Co. Ltd in Tokyo, we are importing all kinds of amazing products from Japan!
The products we import are exclusively imported by us. We scout local producers in Japan who are not yet exporting outside of Japan and ask them to start a new business with us with our trademark “CHIKIRI”. This way we are able to promise our customers the most unique and fascinating products that have yet to be introduced to the European market.
Our main product focus is on something we all love: Japanese drinks! We import Japanese local beers, ‘jizake’ or also known as local sake as well as Shochu, the Japanese version of vodka.
In 2020 we became a certified organic importer of Japanese green tea such as Matcha and Gyokuro from Shizuoka, Japan.
Interestingly, these teas are produced with solar panels on fields which protect tea trees from being damaged by too much sun in summer and freezing frost in winter. In addition, and in line with our sustainability efforts, the process is completely carbon neutral.
What opportunities do you see to grow the business?
We expect further growth in Matcha sales and we are expanding our line-ups with Japanese vegetables and fruit products for healthy foods, confectionery and the bakery market.
With 425 years of Japan – Netherlands relations this year, what are your thoughts on this important partnership?
In 1931 our parent company Nosawa & Co., Ltd. actually started doing business with FRICO (current Royal Friesland Campina, a Dutch multinational dairy cooperative based in Amersfoort, Netherlands).
We continue to enjoy close relations with the company. We feel proud of the strong historical ties we enjoy in the Netherlands and this helped us establish the business. Strong relations between Japan and the Netherlands continue to thrive and we want to see this continue.
What are your hopes for the Osaka Expo in terms of increasing trade between Japan and the world?
One of the themes of the Expo is “Designing Future Society for Our Lives.” A key focus will be on Japan’s traditional craftsmanship such as washoku (Japanese cuisine) and Japanese kitchen knives, and the processes behind them. We hope that by seeing and experiencing these firsthand, visitors will discover new appeal in Japanese culture, which can contribute to strengthening trade between Japan and the world.
In addition, Japan’s subcultures such as manga, anime, and video games are expected to play an important role in communicating the country’s cultural charm to a global audience.
What message do you have regarding the future of the company in the Netherlands and across Europe?
Although we are still a small company, we will do our best to deliver high-quality Japanese products to as many people as possible.
By introducing great products to the European market and delivering professional logistics management solutions in close cooperation with our Tokyo headquarters, we are well-positioned for continued growth in the exciting European market.
www.nosawaamsterdam.nl
www.nosawa.co.jp/en
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