What Asahi Printing does

Asahi Printing Co., Ltd. is a Japanese manufacturer of printed packaging materials headquartered in Toyama City, founded in 1872 and incorporated in 1946. The company produces packages, labels, and package inserts primarily for pharmaceutical and cosmetics manufacturers, holding the No. 1 domestic market share in those segments. It operates 29 domestic production/logistics sites and 3 overseas sites, supported by 20 sales offices in Japan, with overseas presence in Singapore and Malaysia. Named customers include Kose, Shiseido, Bayer Yakuhin, SPLine, and Nipro, and the group employs 1,760 people on a consolidated basis.

The group's production is GMP-compliant for pharmaceutical packaging, an increasingly important qualifier as drug manufacturers tighten supplier audits. Asahi Printing holds 149 industrial property rights covering flexographic and digital printing, the proprietary Asahi Smart Color waste-reduction workflow, anti-counterfeit features, RFID integration, and eco-friendly substrates. Beyond printed materials, the group sells packaging machinery and systems and offers staffing services, creating a vertically integrated offering that ties equipment customers to consumables revenue.

Revenue is generated through B2B direct sales under customized long-term contracts, supported by a nationwide sales network. The company has extended into ASEAN via the 2019 acquisition of Harleigh & Shin-Nippon Industries and the 2023 acquisition of Kinta Press & Packaging, both in Malaysia. It is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Standard Market (ticker 3951), issued its first Green Bond in February 2022, and is executing the ASAHI2035 long-term transformation plan under President Asahi Shigenori, who took office in April 2021.

Name

Asahi Printing

Legal name

Asahi Printing Co., Ltd.

Website

https://asahi-pp.co.jp

Company type

Public

Founded year

1872

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Asahi Printing Co., Ltd. is a Japanese manufacturer of printed packaging materials — packages, labels, and inserts — serving primarily pharmaceutical and cosmetics companies. It holds the No. 1 domestic market share with GMP-compliant production and operations spanning Japan, Singapore, and Malaysia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Printed Packaging

NAICS

Commercial Printing (except Screen and Books) (323111), Printing and Related Support Activities (3231)

SIC

Commercial Printing (2750)

akta.pro primary industry

Flexible Packaging Printing (Film/Poly/Paper Print) (IMALAKAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Packaging & Product Brand Design (BPAFAEAG), Conveying, Feeding & Material Handling for Packaging Lines (IMALAOAG)

Keywords

• Pharmaceutical packaging
• Cosmetic packaging
• Printed packaging materials
• Labels and inserts
• Packaging systems integration

Headquarters

HQ city

Toyama-shi

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Printed Packaging Materials Manufacturing and Sales: Core business manufacturing and selling printed packaging materials including packages, labels, and inserts for pharmaceutical and cosmetic companies. Revenue generated from product sales with pricing based on specifications, quantities, and material requirements. Long-term customer relationships with major pharmaceutical and cosmetics manufacturers.
2. Packaging Systems (Machinery) Sales: Sales of packaging equipment and machinery including blister packaging lines, cartoning machines, and palletizing systems. The Packaging Systems Sales Division provides integrated solutions combining packaging materials with appropriate packaging equipment, offering line engineering services and equipment procurement.
3. Temporary Staffing Services: Personnel dispatch services through group company Asahi Jinzai Service Co., Ltd. providing employment placement and worker dispatch services to local companies.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Asahi Printing manufactures and sells printed packaging materials — packages, labels, and inserts — primarily for pharmaceutical and cosmetic companies, with GMP-compliant quality systems. The company also sells packaging machinery and provides integrated packaging line solutions through its Packaging Systems Sales Division, and operates a temporary staffing business through its subsidiary Asahi Jinzai Service.

Product overview

Asahi Printing is a comprehensive packaging solutions provider specializing in pharmaceutical and cosmetic packaging materials. The company offers an integrated portfolio consisting of core packaging products (packages, labels, and instruction leaflets), system solutions (inspection, proofing, and AXIS document systems), and the packaging systems sales division providing machinery integration. The technology lineup includes 20 distinct capabilities organized into five categories: eco-friendly design and materials (recyclability, plastic reduction, eco-metallized paper, eco-labels, eco-inks, and Asahi Smart Color printing), user-friendly features (easy-open design, medication support, and universal design including Accessible Code), eye-catching displays (POP, display expansion, shelf displays, engaging opening experiences, and high-design expression), product/brand protection (cushioning, tamper-evidence, anti-counterfeit, and cryogenic temperature solutions), and next-generation technologies (RFID and digital printing). The Tokyo Creative Office serves as a co-creation space for client collaboration.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Packages (パッケージ) Medical, pharmaceutical, OTC, and cosmetic packaging with safety features, anti-counterfeit technology, and eco-friendly materials, sold primarily to pharmaceutical and cosmetic manufacturers.
• Labels and Seals (ラベル・シール) High-quality labels for pharmaceutical, medical devices, OTC, and cosmetics with functional features including RFID, cryogenic, and tamper-proof capabilities.
• Instruction Leaflets and Related Materials (添付文書・周辺資材) Package inserts and documentation for medical, OTC, overseas pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics with universal design considerations.
• Asahi Acceptance Inspection System (朝日受入検査システム) Print inspection system that compares scanned images of printed materials against master files to detect defects including missing characters, typos, dirt, and pinholes.
• ABDEN-C Light Digital Proofing Support System Digital proofing support software that detects minute errors and typos through digital comparison, supporting remote work and multi-language documents.
• AXIS New Package Insert Production System Proprietary system for creating pharmaceutical package inserts supporting PDF and XML simultaneous output with automatic error checking for regulatory submissions.
• Packaging Systems Sales (包装システム販売) Total packaging line solutions combining printed packaging materials with packaging machinery, from primary packaging to palletizing, including original equipment development.
• Tokyo Creative Office (東京クリエイティブオフィス) Co-creation space featuring digital printing for rapid prototyping, 3D simulation, RFID demonstrations, and development sample displays.
• Easy Disposal Package Structures (リサイクルを容易にするパッケージ構造) Package structures designed for easy disassembly and flat folding for simplified waste separation and recycling, with peelable film sections and paper-based internal dividers replacing plastic trays.
• Plastic Reduction Solutions (プラスチック使用量の削減製品群) Paper bottle holders, paper packaging as blister/pouch alternatives, paper bags with heat-sealing, pulp molds from bamboo and bagasse, LIMEX packages, and plastic-free surface finishing.
• Eco-Friendly Labels (環境配慮型ラベル) Water-resistant paper labels, recycled PET film labels, and monomaterial labels for improved recyclability.
• Eco-Friendly Inks (環境配慮型インキ) Biomass ink and vegetable oil ink made from plant-derived resources to reduce fossil resource usage.
• Eco-Friendly Metallized Paper and Board (環境配慮型蒸着紙・板紙) Metallized paper using plant-based or recycled PET materials, and FSC/PEFC certified forest paper packaging.
• Anti-Counterfeit Technology (偽造防止技術) Changing foil stamping where patterns change appearance based on viewing angle, making reproduction by copying extremely difficult, and serial numbering system for traceability.
• Tamper-Evident Technology (改ざん防止技術) Lock-function packages, contamination-prevention designs, score lines that show opening evidence, and tamper-evident labels that leave marks when removed.
• RFID Labels (RFIDラベル) RFID labels enabling non-contact reading of individual product information for inventory management and anti-counterfeiting applications.
• Digital Printing (デジタル印刷) Digital printing solutions enabling variable data printing for different designs in a single run, and small-lot production without printing plates for clinical trials.
• PC Pack Medication Support Packaging (服薬サポート包装) PTP sheet mounting system that helps patients take medication correctly with date and dosage indicators to prevent forgetting, designed for easy pill removal and drop prevention.
• Cushioning Function Packages (緩衝機能付きパッケージ) Shock-absorbing packages for vials, syringes, bottles, and tablets with space design to prevent direct impact transmission.
• Ultra-Low Temperature Packaging (極低温対応包装) Labels and packaging capable of withstanding storage at -20°C or below for regenerative medicine and vaccine products.
• Accessible Code (アクセシブルコード) QR code system that converts package information to audio for visually impaired users, supporting multiple languages, with tactile bump markers for positioning.
• Temporary Staffing Services (人材派遣事業) via Asahi Jinzai Service Co., Ltd. Personnel dispatch services through group company Asahi Jinzai Service Co., Ltd. providing employment placement and worker dispatch services to local companies.

Quantifiable outcome

• No. 1 market share in domestic pharmaceutical and cosmetics printed packaging
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• 特定非利的活動法人 日本ソーシャルフットボール協会 (Japan Social Football Association)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 June 2023Partnership contract for promoting inclusive society through sports diversity. Joint activities include hosting inclusive soccer events for employees and families to promote understanding of diverse perspectives and eliminate prejudice and discrimination. Partnership renewed in July 2024.
• Tag 4 Link Consortium (7 companies)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 May 2022Joint demonstration system for pharmaceutical traceability using RFID tags embedded in bottles, liquid bags, and tablet sheets. Enables tracking of pharmaceutical ID and shipping history across supply chain from manufacturer to wholesaler, hospitals, and dispensing pharmacies. Partner companies: Asahi Printing, Satou Healthcare, Taishikako, Fujimori Kogyo, Micro Technica, UACJ, and UACJ Foil.
• Export Japan Co., Ltd. (エクスポート・ジャパン株式会社)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Accessible Code - QR code system that converts package information to audio for visually impaired users in multiple languages. Asahi Printing prints Accessible Code on packaging materials to promote accessibility for visually impaired and language barriers.
• Hokuriku Power Biz Energy Solution Co., Ltd. (北陸電力ビズ・エナジーソリューション株式会社)minorOthersOn-site PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) contract for solar power generation equipment at Toyama SCM Center. 630kW solar panels installed on warehouse roof, generating approximately 610MWh/year with 284t-CO2 reduction annually.
• Japan Credit Rating (日本格付研究所/JCR)minorOthersExternal evaluation of Green Bond framework and bonds issued February 2022 (35 billion yen, 5-year term at 0.430%). Bond rating: BBB+.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Tomoku Co., Ltd. Japanese packaging manufacturer specializing in corrugated cardboard and folding cartons for industrial and consumer applications. Competes with Asahi Printing for certain paper-based packaging contracts, though Asahi's focus on pharmaceutical packaging differentiates their primary niches.
• Rengo Co., Ltd. Japanese integrated packaging company producing corrugated packaging, folding cartons, and flexible packaging. While more focused on corrugated and outer packaging, overlaps with Asahi Printing in pharmaceutical packaging supply and shares the Japanese manufacturing customer base.
• Toppan Holdings: Major Japanese printing and information communications conglomerate with substantial packaging operations including pharmaceutical packaging. Directly competes with Asahi Printing in Japan for pharmaceutical and cosmetics packaging contracts, but operates at much larger scale with broader information technology offerings.
• Dai Nippon Printing (DNP): Japan's largest printing company with significant presence in decorative materials, electronics, and life sciences including pharmaceutical packaging. Overlaps with Asahi Printing's pharmaceutical and cosmetics packaging business and shares similar Japanese customer base, though operates at substantially larger scale.

Broad incumbents

• Sealed Air Corporation: Global packaging company with protective and food packaging solutions, including pharmaceutical cold chain packaging. Relevant peer for Asahi's protective and temperature-monitoring packaging technologies, though focused on broader protective packaging markets.
• Amcor plc: Global packaging giant with substantial pharmaceutical and healthcare packaging operations. Represents the international competitive benchmark for scale and capability in pharma packaging; while primarily serving Western markets, increasingly relevant to Asahi Printing's ASEAN customer expansion.
• Oji Holdings Corporation: Major Japanese paper and pulp conglomerate producing packaging materials, containerboard, and specialty papers. Operates as a paper substrate supplier and integrated packaging converter that overlaps with Asahi Printing's corrugated and paper-based packaging offerings at a much larger scale.
• Sumitomo Bakelite Co., Ltd. Established Japanese materials company producing plastics, films, and specialty chemicals used in pharmaceutical and medical packaging. Provides upstream plastic materials and films that complement or compete with certain Asahi Printing flexible packaging offerings, though not a direct printed packaging competitor.

Emerging players

• SCHOTT Pharma AG & Co. KGaA: German specialty glass and pharmaceutical packaging company producing vials, syringes, and ampoules for the pharmaceutical industry. Represents a focused pharmaceutical primary packaging competitor relevant to Asahi Printing's GMP-compliant pharmaceutical customer base.
• Gerresheimer AG: European pharmaceutical packaging specialist producing primary packaging glass and plastics for drugs. Highly relevant to Asahi Printing's pharmaceutical packaging niche, though focused on primary container manufacturing (vials, syringes) rather than printed packaging materials and labels.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/asahi-printing-co-ltd

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Subsidiaries8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Asahi Printing