Transforming from a food company to a comprehensive corporation providing solutions for society

We stand on the shore of a new beginning. After 145 years delivering food to Japan and the world, Maruha Nichiro is embarking on new journey as Umios.
This transformation comes amidst structural challenges for our business, including Japan’s shrinking market and limited natural resources. We see these not as an end to our business model, rather as the launch point to become a leading company for the next 100 years.
Changing our name is not simply rebranding—it marks the start of our transformation. It signals that we are not afraid of change; we will embrace it and shape our own future. With this aspiration, we will become Umios.
The name Umios combines the three concepts: Umi, One, and Solutions. Umi means ocean in Japanese, reflecting our origins, the source of life, and hope for the future. One represents respect for the interconnectedness of society, the Earth, our company, and our employees with the intent to “create the future together as one.” Solutions expresses our commitment to evolve from a food company to provider of societal solutions.

Living with the ocean, valuing connections, and delivering solutions for social challenges.
Like sushi, we want to make umi (ocean) part of the global vocabulary. We are determined to fulfill our vision.

Questions about the future that need answers

As the global population grows, food security is becoming increasingly critical. Ensuring a sustainable supply of protein is no longer solely a challenge for the food industry; it is an issue and responsibility that society as whole needs to address.
At the same time, with longer healthier life expectancies and rising pressure to reduce medical costs, we have a duty to deliver “health value”-food that supports wellbeing and helps prevent illness. That will be a core mission for Umios.

As Umios we are already more than just a food company. We must continue to be conscious of and take pride in our growing role as a part of society’s essential infrastructure. Fulfilling that role requires us to reconsider what has long been taken for granted and reshaping it for the future.
Our new company name and new head office are merely symbols of this shift. The real transformation lies in how we think about and approach our work. Each of us must take a reexamine the parameters of our roles, embrace change with confidence, and help create a new organizational culture. That ethos/mindset will define the future of Umios.
Our organization must adapt to the changing times and continue evolving from within. This approach is much like working at sea, where new and unseen possibilities are constantly emerging. Carrying umi (ocean) in our Company name reflects both our pride and a symbol of responsibility. As a company that began in the fishing industry, we are committed to engaging sincerely with the Earth’s largest ecosystem, while continuously refining our knowledge and technologies required to sustainably benefit from its blessings.

Making the next 100 years, our way

The canned products developed and refined over many decades, perfectly aligned with the principles of the ESG era. They offer long shelf life at room temperature, are energy efficient during transport, and help reduce food waste, achieving a harmonious balance among environmental, social, and economic factors. Though canning may appear to be a classic preservation method, it fully embodies our philosophy of “making full use of the blessings of the sea and passing them on to future generations.”

This perspective leads us to our next major theme: redefining the very existence of fish. In collaboration with the University of Tokyo and other research institutions, we are exploring new ways to articulate and communicate the value of fish to society. We aspire to play an active role in affirming the significance of fish in our future through advancements both technology and social awareness.
Finally, I have a special message for our group employees.
Changing the company name does not automatically bring change. True transformation begins with oneself. I would like all group employees to view their work as a contribution to solving social issues. Take pride in the responsibility you carry within society’s food infrastructure, and, like the ocean, embrace freedom of thought and innovation as you challenge the future.

The world is undergoing profound changes. Unstable international relations, rapid population growth, and shrinking resources are forcing us to reconsider the very foundations of our lives. Food is no longer something we can take for granted; it has become a vital asset that we must protect and pass on to future generations. That is why we carry the responsibility to protect and nurture our food sources.
This is the moment for us to show our determination and demonstrate our commitment to action.

Umios is committed to addressing the urgent challenges of our time with integrity, working in harmony with the ocean- the source of all life on Earth- to continually deliver impactful solutions that benefit society.