Message
Dedicated to the food business.
My diverse experience, expertise, and connections in Japan and abroad are my strong points.
Taka. Yamamoto
Since starting my career, I have been consistently involved in the food industry sector. My greatest strength is my unique business mindset, which has been nurtured through my activities at various types of companies, including large, medium-sized, and foreign companies. I have also been heavily involved in the implementation of coordination and support measures at independent administrative agencies.
I have extensive experience of conducting business negotiations on behalf of Japanese companies wishing to invest overseas and foreign companies seeking to invest in Japan. Regardless of the scale, I would like to help spread the word about wonderful foods and ingredients and enrich people's lives.
I leverage over 30 years of experience and expertise in the global food industry, as well as the connections I have cultivated with domestic and international companies and institutions, to solve problems and lead market expansion.
Profile
Takao Yamamoto
My unique business mindset was fostered through my involvement in a diverse food business.
| 1958 |
Born in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture |
|---|---|
| 1977 |
Graduated from Hyogo Prefectural Nagata High School |
| 1982 |
Graduated from Keio University, Faculty of Commerce |
| 1982 |
Asahi Kasei Food Division － From a sales rep to Deputy General Manager
Responsible for sales of frozen foods for retailers in the Tokyo metropolitan area (mainly to major mass merchandisers) and sales of food ingredients (to major food manufacturers of bread, meat, etc.); also participated in the launch of a freshly baked bread business for a major CVS |
| 1999 |
(Due to transfer of business through M&A)
Japan Tobacco Inc. － From Deputy GM to GM of Food Ingredients DEPT
In charge of domestic and overseas sales in the Food Ingredient Division |
| 2005 |
Global bread and pastry ingredients manufacturing company CSM Japan (one of the world's largest at the time) － President and Representative Director
In addition to high-level sales to major Japanese manufacturers, I was responsible for introducing the latest European and U.S. food technologies to the Japanese bread and confectionery industries (e.g., soft-crust bread with extended shelf life), promoting food reform projects for global retailers and Café chains (e.g., Adaptation for the Japanese market), and also responsible for overseas sales expansion in the Asian region. |
| 2015 |
Government Agency (JAPAN External Trade Organization) － Special position, SENIOR OFFICER
I oversaw encouraging foreign companies to invest in Japan, leading major investments (M&A, mergers, attracting factories and research centers, etc.), as well as supporting startups in the Japanese market for the latest food tech (alternative proteins etc) and food ingredients (enzymes, emulsifiers, etc.), and facilitating the approval and licensing of their entry into the Japanese market. |
| 2019 |
Miyoshi OIL&FAT., LTD － Senior Officer Oversea Development DEPT
Negotiations with overseas companies and research institutions, finding partners, building channels, marketing, etc. |
| 2024 |
Independent as a food business consultant
And have an affiliation with a Japanese administrative organization. |
|
May 2024 – March 2025
|
Startup Support Advisor (full-time) at a government-related organization
Helped Japanese startups go global, from food tech (like alternative proteins and cultivated meat) to deep tech (like AI and climate control). Focused on spotting potential unicorns and gave hands-on support—connecting them with customers and investors and sharing advice on how to break into new market.
|
経験と実績
Experience work and achievements / performance
Support for Japanese companies entering overseas markets
- Organizing the overseas sales channel from scratch, eg, researching food regulations, finding distributors, etc., and I was responsible for the entire process of realizing exports.
Providing support for foreign companies entering the Japanese market.
- Support starting up the organization from Zero, eg, market research, find the distributors, and sales channel
- Realize large-scale investments in Japan by foreign companies (M&A, mergers, attracting factories and research centers, etc.). e.g. handled administrative procedures and regulations facilitating communication with central /local government authorities and set meetings with the top management of major companies.
( I was responsible for facilitating the approval of Japanese permits for the latest food tech ( plant meat, cultured meat, entomophagy, precision fermentation, etc. ) when foreign companies entered the Japanese market )
Providing support for organization building and management
- When implementing M&A, I created and promoted HR systems based on my experiences, such as organization creation tailored to local conditions, approaching methods tailored to individual companies, and ensuring gender equality.
Achievements as a consultant
Specific results of consultation are as follows.
(Actual results from May 2023)
- Major Chemical Manufacturer (Non-Food Sector): Supported the company’s entry into the food ingredients business, leveraging newly developed non-GMO enzymes. Provided market insights and partnership strategies with established players.
- Leading Food Manufacturer: Advised on go-to-market strategies for Southeast Asia, including regulatory considerations, local distribution models, and potential partners.
- Mid-Sized Food Company: Assisted with the initial phase of international expansion, from identifying key markets to establishing cost-effective test sales and customer validation methods.
- Corporate R&D Division of a Large Enterprise: Proposed practical and commercially viable research themes aligned with emerging trends in food-tech and sustainability.
- Major Café Chain: Contributed to menu development by offering insights on consumer trends, supply chain feasibility, and product differentiation strategies.
- Mid-Sized Trading Company (Non-Food): Proposed an M&A strategy to acquire a food import business, including target identification and high-level post-merger integration planning.
Specialist Areas of Responsibility
With extensive experience in the food industry, I have worked across a broad spectrum of roles, from individual sales contributions to leading factory setups and product development as a business leader.I have cultivated my expertise through extensive hands-on experience, working directly in diverse environments-including major corporations, small businesses, and government agencies. This practical experience extends to negotiating with top executives and government officials both in Japan and internationally, ensuring a deep understanding of real-world challenges and solutions.
These diverse experiences enable me to provide comprehensive solutions, combining practical insights with strategic management perspectives. I offer adaptable, results-driven support tailored to your specific needs, leveraging my deep industry knowledge and extensive networks in market research, channel development, distributor selection, and talent development. Please feel free to reach out.
１．
Supporting Overseas Companies Entering the Japanese Market
I provide end-to-end support for businesses expanding into Japan, including:- Market Research and Strategy Development
- Distributor Selection and Negotiation Support
- Through in-depth market analysis, we craft tailored market entry strategies and identify distributors best suited to your products or services. We also assist with negotiation and contract finalization to ensure smooth collaboration.
For a seamless market entry, we also offer Interim Representative Services. Without the need to establish a local office or hire staff in Japan, I can act as your local representative, managing tasks such as market research, customer negotiations, distributor coordination, and sales channel development. This approach minimizes your initial investment while establishing an effective presence in the Japanese market.
２．
Supporting Japanese Companies Expanding Overseas
Leveraging my extensive experience and network, I provide:- Local Customer and Distributor Selection
- Sales Channel Development
- Market Research and Local Support
- I help establish optimal overseas channels tailored to your products and services, laying the groundwork for sustainable growth. By utilizing my network of professionals with deep knowledge of local markets, I identify trustworthy customers and distributors while crafting strategies that align with local culture and business practices.
- I also offer comprehensive support for trade show participation, including:
- Selecting suitable events
- Negotiating participation
- Arranging business meetings
- Managing booths
- Accompanying or representing you on-site
３．
Sharing the Latest Food Tech and Industry Regulations
Through a global network of companies and research institutions across North America, Europe, and Asia, I provide insights on:- Innovative Food Technologies: Including hydrocolloids, enzymes, emulsifiers, plant-based meats, cultivated meats, precision fermentation, and alternative proteins.
- Emerging Innovations: Such as genome editing, algae applications, and biotechnology.
- Global Challenges: Addressing climate change, water resource issues, and sustainable solutions.
- Customized market reports and lectures are also available to help identify challenges and strategies for your market expansion efforts.
４．
Tailored Support for Overseas Startups Entering the Japanese Market
I specialize in assisting innovative startups in food-related fields such as climate tech, biodiversity, cultivated meats, and alternative proteins, with services including:- Market Analysis and Strategy Development
- Office Setup and Licensing Support
- Distributor Selection and Customer Acquisition
- Exhibition Arrangements and On-Site Assistance
- By addressing potential challenges comprehensively, I ensure a smooth market entry. Support is also available for startups in other sectors like IT, AI, digital technology, and deep tech.
５．
Comprehensive Support for M&A and Business Matching
I offer specialized services to facilitate successful domestic and international M&A and business partnerships, including:- Creating tailored M&A Candidate Lists for domestic companies.
- Developing Distributor and Acquisition Target Lists for overseas markets.
- Supporting negotiations, contract finalization, and business matching to secure optimal outcomes for all parties involved.
６．
Lectures and Training on the Food Industry and Latest Food Tech
I provide engaging lectures and training programs tailored to your needs, covering topics such as:- Existing Ingredients: Sugar alcohols, alternative foods, yeast, enzymes, and improvers.
- Cutting-Edge Food Tech: Precision fermentation, molecular farming, cultivated meats, alternative proteins, and insect-based foods.
- Feel free to contact me to discuss how I can support your educational or training objectives.
Topics
Introduced in a press release from NC State University in the United States.
| I was introduced in a press release from the NC State Food Innovation Lab, which was established at NC State University. Our oil blending technology, real animal fat taste without any animal-derived raw materials, was highly praised and we became the first Japanese company to partner with NCFIL. Learn from here |
|---|
Published in the e-mail magazine and received favorable reviews.
| (This is a Japanese site) Learn from here |
|---|
Contact
Please feel free to contact us.
If you have any issues or concerns that I can help you with based on my experience, please feel free to contact me. We will get back to you. First, we will ask you for an overview and then we will consider whether we can help. We appreciate your patience as it may take several days for us to respond to you first.
Please note that the information you enter will only be used to respond to inquiries and will not be shared with other companies or used for solicitation purposes.
