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History

Half a Century of Success

Since our founding in 1979, Ortho has been working to pave the way for supplements
in Japan as a company responsible for the development of health foods.
Learn about the history of Ortho and its initiatives in development based on
our mission to provide the fruits of life science to people in an accessible way.

  • 1979

    • Our founder, Katsuhiko Aoyama, established NIHON ORTHO SHOKUHIN CO., LTD. in Harajuku, Shibuya within Tokyo (Japan Ortho Food Co., Ltd.; we later changed our trading name to Ortho Corporation)
    • Developed and launched Ortho Rice, a calcium-fortified rice

  • 1981

    • Began work to research vitamins and minerals under
      the guidance of nutritionist Masao Watanabe,
      an independent nutritionist

  • 1982

    • Developed and launched
      Japan’s
      first vitamin B
      complex supplement We developed this product
      as a trailblazer before the
      word “supplement” was even known
      in Japan.
      A vitamin specialist shop in the Seibu Department
      Store launched this product.
    • We were commissioned to establish
      a supplement department for a major
      pharmaceutical company and engage
      in OEM development for this product.

  • 1986

    • Developed and launched high-protein, low-calorie diet cookies
      We were commissioned to engage in OEM development for a major cosmetics manufacturer and major undergarment manufacturer.

  • 1989

    • Developed and
      launched a VLCD product We were commissioned to engage in OEM
      development for a meal replacement diet
      product licensed by Uni-Vite in the
      United Kingdom.
      This became a long-selling product that can
      still be purchased today.

  • 1994

    • Began developing immune milk products under the guidance of Professor Kikuo Nomoto from the Medical Institute of Bioregulation at Kyushu University

  • 1995

    • Developed and sold immune milk products with a major general trading company

  • 1996

    • Launched Garcinia cambogia as a diet ingredient

  • 2001

    • Established a laboratory for immune
      food research at the Keio University
      Research Park (until 2004)

  • 2002

    • Developed a supplement that removes H. pylori We invited Dr. Barry J. Marshall from Australia to be an advisor for research.
      Dr. Marshall was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2005.

  • 2004

    • Launched a business for direct sales with our own brands

  • 2005

    • Changed our company name to Ortho Corporation

  • 2006

    • Co-hosted a commemorative lecture
      given by Dr. Barry J. Marshall, visiting
      Japan
    • Developed a supplement
      with fermented black garlic Fermented black garlic was
      virtually unknown in Japan, but
      our product placed it
      in the
      media spotlight, thereby
      creating a new market.

      View more

  • 2007

    • Established a JV with SMBI Asia
      (licensed immune milk company in Taiwan)

  • 2008

    • Developed and launched Sustaina, an immune milk product
    • Launched an açaí ingredient produced in Brazil

  • 2010

    • Developed an eye care
      supplement including açaí Held a study group on açaí,
      organized an event at the
      Embassy of Brazil, and
      conducted other activities to
      help expand the açaí market.

      View more

  • 2013

    • Developed the “ma-tsu-i-ku”
      supplement NAILIST SUPPLE fans noted that
      their eyelashes looked great
      after use,
      prompting us to
      develop this product for
      eyelashes.

      View more

  • 2015

    • Developed YAKANAI SUPPLE Confirmed to reduce inflammation caused
      by UV rays in a UV exposure
      experiment.

  • 2018

    • Developed and
      launched im Protein This made waves for being the most
      expensive protein product in Japan.

      View more

  • 2019

    • Kaitaryuju Aoyama became President of Ortho
    • Won the Moriguchi Prize following presentations at JSPFSM, ISEI, and other symposia, based on joint research into immune protein with Waseda University

  • 2021

    • Launched WHIET as a Food
      with Function Claims (FFC) This was Japan’s first FFC to
      provide care for both UV and
      body fat.

      View more

  • 2022

    • Launched BINOTORI as FFC This functional food for blood
      vessel beauty care and skin
      health became Japan’s first
      product to improve peripheral
      blood circulation in the cheeks.

      View more

  • 2023

    • Relocated our
      office
      to Shiodome
      Italia-gai
    • Began sponsoring
      the Japan Fencing
      Federation
    • NAGARURUMO
      This is Japan’s first FFC with claims for triple
      relief from feeling cold, swelling, and constipation.
    Ⓒ（公社）日本フェンシング
    協会/Augusto Bizzi FIE　

  • 2024

    • Joined the Japan
      Autophagy
      Consortium
    • Won the Best Poster Award from
      JAACT for our research into shochu mash
      with Waseda University
    • Secured a patent on anti-obesity
      effects based on a randomized
      controlled clinical trial in collaboration
      with one of our partner companies
    • im Protein awarded anti-doping certification (Informed Choice)

Ortho will continue to develop
pioneering health foods.