Kao Corporation announced changes of its executive officers as of January 1, 2018. The company promoted Yoshihiro Hasebe as Senior Managing Executive Officer from Managing Executive Officer, Senior Vice President, Research and Development, Global. Yoshihiro Hasebe has been promoted to Managing Executive Officer from Executive Officer, President, Beauty Care- Skin Care and Hair Care Business Unit, Global. Shigeru Ueyama has been promoted to Managing Executive Officer from Executive Officer, Senior Vice President, Corporate Strategy, Global. The company appointed Osamu Tabata as Vice President, Supply Chain Management- Demand and Supply Planning Center- Chemical, Global; Vice President Supply Chain Management-Technology Development Center- Project Management Global, effective December 1, 2017. Hideaki Kubo has been appointed as Vice President, Research and Development, Core Technology, Global, effective December 1, 2017. Yoshihiro Murakami has been appointed as President, Skin Care Business, Global, effective December 1, 2017. Ryoichi Harada has been appointed as Vice President, Enterprise Information Solutions – Business Systems, Global; Vice President, Enterprise Information Solutions, ASEAN, effective December 1, 2017. The company announced the retirement of Yoshimichi Saita as Senior Vice President, Media Planning and Management, Global, effective December 1, 2017. Masayuki Abe to retire as Senior Vice President, Enterprise Information Solutions, Global, effective December 1, 2017. Naoki Komoda to retire as President, Fabric and Home Care Business Unit, Global, effective December 1, 2017.
Kao Corporation specializes in manufacturing and marketing of consumer products. Net sales (including intragroup) break down by family of products as follows:
- care and beauty products (44.4%): body care products (soap, shower products), face care (brand Bioré) and hair care (shampoo, colorants, etc.; Asience, Liese, Curél and Essential);
- house cleaning and laundry care products (22.7%): detergents (brand Attack), dishwashing liquids, cleaners, stain removers, etc.;
- chemical products (21.6%): oleo chemical products (fat alcohols, fat amines, fat acids, etc.), inks, colorants, surfactants, etc. ;
- hygiene products (11.3%): feminine protection products (brand Laurier), diapers (Merries), oral hygiene products, etc. The group is also providing food products.
Net sales break down geographically as follows: Japan (58%), Asia (22%), America (10.5%) and Europe (9.5%).
KAO CORPORATION 
