Kawamoto

What Kawamoto does

Kawamoto Corporation (川本産業株式会社) is a Japanese manufacturer and supplier of medical, hygiene, and occupational-safety materials, headquartered in Osaka and founded in 1931. The company sells across four primary segments: medical professional products (sterile surgical gauze, neurosurgical sheets, the Endolactor laparoscopic retractor, hemostatic pads, JOBST compression therapy, sterilization products, and protective eye shields); consumer healthcare (Mouth Pure oral care, MASMiX color masks, Eye Patch amblyopia products, Rakuraku Ten'gan eye-drop aids, nasal dilation tape); industrial/occupational safety (WithIn earplugs, safety glasses, protective clothing); and OEM/contract manufacturing plus a newly launched endotoxin testing service. The business model is asset-light manufacturing with five revenue streams sold through direct field sales to medical institutions, retail/distributor networks for consumer products, and group-operated e-commerce sites (Cleyera Plaza, former Nishiki Corporation).

Kawamoto's go-to-market relies on enterprise field sales augmented by active participation in medical conferences and exhibitions (Japan Endoscopic Surgery Society, Japan Infection Control Society, Japan Vein Society, JOBST-related lymphology congresses, Arab Health/WHX Dubai, Medical Fair Asia). The company holds ISO 13485 and ISO 9001 certifications audited by SGS, plus a Privacy Mark renewed April 2025, providing regulatory-grade access to Japanese hospital procurement. On May 13, 2025, Air Water Co., Ltd. completed a tender offer and squeeze-out, delisting Kawamoto from the Tokyo Stock Exchange and converting it to a wholly-owned subsidiary. The company continues to operate independently with headquarters in Osaka and branch offices in Tokyo and Fukuoka, and is currently executing on new product launches (carbon-offset waste bags, endotoxin testing), consumer-brand revitalization (Mouth Pure 20th anniversary rebrand, MASMiX collaborations), and a joint distribution alliance with three peer medical-device manufacturers.

Kawamoto's strategic positioning under Air Water ownership emphasizes portfolio diversification across professional medical, consumer healthcare, industrial safety, and contract manufacturing, supported by a multi-brand architecture (JOBST, MASMiX, Mouth Pure, Eye Patch, With-Yell, WithIn) and incremental international expansion via JETRO-supported exhibitions. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; revenue is generated predominantly through one-time product sales rather than subscription or recurring models. The company has been delisted since May 2025 and operates as a private subsidiary, with FY March 2025 financial results published in May 2025.

Name

Kawamoto

Legal name

川本産業株式会社

Website

https://kawamoto-sangyo.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1931

Operating status

Acquired

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Kawamoto Corporation is a Japanese manufacturer of medical, hygiene, and occupational-safety materials serving medical professionals, consumers, and industrial buyers across Japan. Founded in 1931 and now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Air Water Co., Ltd. following its May 2025 delisting, the company operates multi-brand product lines including JOBST compression therapy, MASMiX masks, and Mouth Pure oral care.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Medical Supplies Manufacturing

NAICS

Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing (339113), Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing (33911), Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing (3391)

SIC

Wholesale-Medical, Dental & Hospital Equipment & Supplies (5047), Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841)

akta.pro primary industry

Medical & Healthcare Hygiene Disposables (Patient Wipes, Underpads) (IMAMAGAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Home Care Tools & Consumables (Sponges, Wipes, Brushes, Gloves, Mop Refills) (CRADAKAM), Hand & Body Care (Lotions, Creams, Body Oils) (CRADANAC)

Keywords

• Medical supplies
• Surgical products
• Oral care products
• Healthcare materials
• Infection control products

Headquarters

HQ city

Osaka

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Medical Products Sales: Manufacturing and sales of medical supplies including surgical gauze, sponges, drapes, sterilization products, PPE, and wound care products to healthcare institutions and professionals.
2. Consumer Products Sales: Sales of healthcare and hygiene products for general consumers including masks, eye care products, nasal strips, oral care products, and nursing care supplies through distributors.
3. Industrial/Occupational Safety Products: Sales of safety equipment including earplugs (WithIn), protective glasses, protective clothing, and other occupational safety products for industrial use.
4. OEM Contracted Manufacturing: OEM services for medical device and product manufacturing, leveraging company's manufacturing facilities and quality certifications.
5. JOBST Compression Products: Sales of JOBST brand elastic stockings and compression bandages for venous disease management.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Kawamoto manufactures and supplies medical and hygiene materials, including surgical gauze, sterile neurosurgical sheets, endoscopic retractors, hemostatic pads, hand sanitizers, eye care products, oral care products, masks, and nursing care items. The company operates OEM contract manufacturing for third-party medical and hygiene brands. Products are sold directly to hospitals, clinics, and healthcare facilities, and through pharmacies/retailers to general consumers.

Product overview

Kawamoto Corporation (川本産業株式会社) is a Japanese manufacturer and supplier of medical and hygiene materials serving three customer segments: medical professionals (e.g., hospitals, clinics), general consumers, and industrial/occupational safety customers. The product portfolio is organized into four broad categories — (1) Medical professional products including surgical gauze (GG Absotech Plus), sterile neurosurgical sheets (Sterile Bency Sheets XR/XD), endoscopic retractors (End Actor), hemostatic pads (Argi Save), hand disinfectants (Stear Gel), protective eye shields, PPE, and JOBST compression therapy products; (2) Consumer products including Mouth Pure oral care line (care spray, gel, sponges, wet gauze, tongue brushes), Eye Patch strabismus training patches (adhesive and cloth variants), Raku Raku eye drop assistance devices (I and III), masks (MASMiX color masks, 3-layer surgical masks, Kirei Mask), nasal dilation tapes, eye care cotton, wound care, gauze, cotton, and nursing care products (With-Yell waterproof sheets, aprons); (3) Industrial/Occupational safety products including earplugs (WithIn), safety glasses, protective clothing, gloves, and cooling equipment under the Safety Products Division; and (4) OEM/contract manufacturing services. Key sub-brands include JOBST (compression therapy), MASMiX (consumer masks), Mouth Pure (oral care), Eye Patch (eye patches), With-Yell (nursing care), and WithIn (industrial hearing protection). The company was delisted from the Tokyo Stock Exchange in 2025 following a tender offer and share transfer by Air Water Inc.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MASMiX: Color mask brand
• アイパッチ (Eye Patch)
• マウスピュア (Mouthpure)
• ウィズエール (With Yell)
• JOBST
• ステリコット (Stericot)
• ステアジェル (Stear Gel)

Products and services

• JOBST Medical compression therapy brand offering elastic stockings and functional bandages for the treatment of venous disorders, lymphedema, and related conditions. Sold exclusively to medical professionals.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) (日本貿易振興機構)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 9 February 2026JETRO organizes Japan Pavilion at international medical exhibitions. Kawamoto participates in WHX Dubai 2026 under JETRO's Japan Pavilion, facilitating their international market expansion efforts.
• Medical Device Manufacturers Joint Distribution Initiative (医療流通対策研究会)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 February 2026Joint logistics initiative with 3 other medical device manufacturers to establish sustainable medical product distribution within Japan. The 'Medical Distribution Research Association' was established to optimize domestic medical product logistics.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Daio Paper: Japanese paper conglomerate with a healthcare and hygiene products division producing tissue, wipes, and medical-absorbent products. Overlaps with Kawamoto's absorbent cotton, gauze, and hygiene disposable offerings.
• Koken: Japanese manufacturer of medical and laboratory supplies including surgical and hygiene materials. Competes with Kawamoto in niche medical disposable and specialty textile categories for healthcare institutions.
• Hogy Medical: Japanese manufacturer of surgical drapes, gowns, kits, and medical disposables widely used in Japanese hospitals. Closest direct competitor to Kawamoto's professional medical channel, with overlapping surgical supply categories and Japanese hospital customers.

Broad incumbents

• Ansell: Global manufacturer of surgical and exam gloves, protective apparel, and infection prevention products. Comparable in PPE, surgical supplies, and occupational safety categories to Kawamoto's professional and industrial segments.
• Unicharm: Major Japanese hygiene products manufacturer with broad consumer and medical portfolios including incontinence care and sanitary products. Competes with Kawamoto's With-Yell nursing care and Mouthpure oral hygiene lines at greater scale.
• Alfresa Holdings: Major Japanese pharmaceutical and medical product wholesaler with significant healthcare distribution into hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies. Competes with Kawamoto for distribution shelf space and institutional contracts.
• Medipal Holdings: Largest Japanese medical and pharmaceutical wholesaler distributing medical devices, supplies, and disposables to hospitals and pharmacies. Serves as both a channel and a competitive threat to Kawamoto's direct hospital sales motion.
• Mölnlycke Health Care: Global Swedish-based manufacturer of wound care, surgical supplies (drapes, gowns, sponges), and pressure ulcer prevention products. Comparable in product mix to Kawamoto's surgical gauze, drapes, and wound care lines.
• 3M Health Care: Diversified multinational with a major Health Care division covering surgical supplies, infection prevention, and oral care. Comparable in PPE, hand hygiene, and surgical consumable categories.
• Suzuken: One of Japan's top pharmaceutical and medical distribution groups serving hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies nationwide. Comparable in channel position to Kawamoto's medical institution sales arm.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses3 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/MASMiX_official
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCBC2VPL3XGCrlqBZfV3oB3w
• Instagraminstagram.com/_masmix_

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Kawamoto