Japanese Companies Active in Brazil Today

Japanese companies in Brazil have continued to operate even amid the harsh conditions of the pandemic. As the COVID-19 pandemic begins to calm down and new values aimed at sustainability are required, this series will introduce the current status of Japanese companies active in Brazil. This is a project sponsored by the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Brazil. Reprinted from the Newspaper Brasil Nippou.
Stories from this series

Part 26—Kojiro Publishing, a Publisher of Free Papers
March 7, 2025 • Tomoko Oura
For the 26th installment of this series, we spoke with Naosa Fuse (59), editor-in-chief of Kojiro Publishing (represented by Ryuichiro Kawarazaki). The monthly magazine “Pindorama” published by the company is a free paper that regularly publishes information about Brazil in Japanese, and has been recognized as one of the world's leading Japanese free papers in a Japanese survey. Since its launch in 2006, it has been loved by Japanese expatriates living in Brazil and Japanese-Brazilians who can read Japanese, as …

Part 25: Sojitz Brazil—Making Strides in Metal Resources and Other Areas
Feb. 7, 2025 • Tomoko Oura
In the 25th installment of this series, we spoke with Toru Shida (55), president of Sojitz Brazil. Sojitz is planning to reduce its consolidated financial results (under International Financial Reporting Standards) for the fiscal year ending March 2023, as the pandemic begins to calm down. The company has set new records for net profits for two consecutive years, and since its establishment, Sojitz Brazil has played a key role in the global Sojitz Group. Under the new initiative, the company …

Part 24: TSE Company Contributes to Industrial Development and Decarbonization Promotion
Oct. 3, 2024 • Tomoko Oura
In the 24th installment of this series, we spoke with Hideo Sato (49), president of TS Participações S.A. (TS), the parent company of TSE, a Brazilian corporation invested in by Toyo Engineering Corporation (TOYO). Brazil has abundant natural resources and continues to experience steady economic growth due to expanding domestic demand. By carrying out EPC work that covers everything from the design, procurement of equipment and materials to construction of onshore and offshore facilities for oil and gas, petrochemicals, chemicals, …

Part 23: HIS Sao Paulo Branch competes with local South American travel information
Sept. 20, 2024 • Tomoko Oura
In the 23rd installment of this series, we spoke with Ryoma Arai (53), branch manager of the HIS Sao Paulo branch. When HIS, one of Japan's leading travel agencies, opened a branch in São Paulo in 2010, it left an impression on Japanese people living in Brazil that Japan and Brazil had become closer. With the travel industry being hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, the company continues to take on new challenges in order to survive in businesses other …

Part 22: Dentists themselves promote business and boost sales at Shofu Dental Brazil
Aug. 30, 2024 • Tomoko Oura
In the 22nd installment of this series, we spoke with Tomomi Harashima (54, second generation), president of Shofu Dental Brazil. The company was established in 2017 as a sales subsidiary of Shofu Co., Ltd., a Kyoto-based manufacturer and distributor of dental materials and equipment. About five years have passed since the company began full-scale operations, and its name recognition has grown so rapidly that even Brazilian dentists who place importance on quality have been surprised, saying that "they trust Made …

Part 21: Zensho do Brasil: Providing safe, delicious and convenient Japanese food
Aug. 16, 2024 • Tomoko Oura
In the 21st installment of this series, we spoke with Norihiro Aoyama (43, originally from Shizuoka Prefecture), president of Zensho do Brasil. The company operates the Brazilian Sukiya chain, which opened its first store in 2010 near the São Joaquim metro station in the oriental quarter of São Paulo. 14 years after its opening, the chain has expanded to 27 locations across Brazil, building a food infrastructure as one of Japan's leading restaurant chains, specializing in beef bowls and curry. …
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Born in Hyogo Prefecture in 1979, he grew up in Kobe until graduating from high school. After graduating from university, he has been living in Sao Paulo, Brazil since 2001. He is currently working as a freelance reporter and writer for local media outlets aimed at Japanese people, as well as engaged in editing work.
(Updated September 2023)
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