--- --- # Momotani Juntenkan  **CUSTOMER-FIRST COSMETICS** Cosmetics in Japan are big business. Grounded in a nationwide commitment to technological innovation and quality, “J-beauty” has long enjoyed a devoted following across Asia among fans of a less-is-more approach. In recent years, Japanese skincare and cosmetics have gained global appeal, driven by pop culture exposure and research-backed quality, with monthly exports now exceeding $260 million (40 billion yen). Within this vibrant market, Osaka’s Momotani Juntenkan Ltd. has been operating as a family business for over 140 years, and remains one of the largest players in cosmetics R&D and production. The company’s first product was “Bigansui Acne Lotion,” an acne treatment introduced in 1885\. As Japan’s first Western-style skin lotion, it was developed by pharmacist Masajiro Momotani as a remedy for his wife, using salicylic acid—then little known in Japan. More than a century later, it continues to enjoy a strong reputation and market presence. While Bigansui marked an early breakthrough in antimicrobial acne care, the company has continued to evolve alongside advances in cosmetics technology. “I believe the industry is now shifting—not only toward producing and selling products, but toward deeper collaboration with stakeholders such as universities, start-ups and local communities,” company President Seiichiro Momotani explains. In line with this vision, Momotani Juntenkan has been researching skin flora in partnership with academic institutions. With more than 200 types of bacteria living on the skin, the company’s latest innovation, “Floracontroller FC161,” unveiled at the Osaka Expo, aims to restore balance by introducing beneficial bacteria, similar to probiotics for the body. “We’ve learned that facial skin bacteria differ in both type and quantity from person to person,” Momotani says. “Those with a higher proportion of favorable bacteria have a skincare advantage. Researchers are now working to identify and apply these bacteria, and we hope this will lead to formulas that better support individual skin needs.” While international tastes can change as rapidly as fashion trends, Momotani believes evidence-based formulas will have lasting impact. Backed by the reputation of Made in Japan products, popular lines include the White Moisture Series, derived from compounds found in Japanese rice, which accounts for 10% of overseas sales. Looking ahead, local partnerships will remain vital for both in-house products and OEM operations. “Each region has its own lifestyle and skin conditions,” Momotani notes. “Our international division has built expertise in local preferences and regulations over time, giving us a strong advantage globally.”  Momotani Juntenkan ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/branded-content/global-kigyo/momotani-juntenkan/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/branded-content/global-kigyo/momotani-juntenkan/"},"headline":"Momotani Juntenkan","datePublished":"2026-06-18T14:27:59.374Z","dateModified":"2026-06-09T07:28:03.546Z","description":"","url":"https://time.com/branded-content/global-kigyo/momotani-juntenkan/","keywords":[],"thumbnailUrl":"","author":[],"articleSection":"","image":[],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/branded-content/global-kigyo/momotani-juntenkan/","name":"Momotani Juntenkan"}}]}] ```