Page 5 - Kirin Holdings Teaching Note

OVERVIEW

Kirin Group has a long history stretching back to 1885 when

the Japan Brewing Company was formed. In 1888 it started

brewing Kirin based on German beer. To achieve
authenticity and to learn the business, it employed German

brew masters and used imported ingredients from

Germany.

In 1907, the Japan Brewery Company changed its name to

KIRIN Brewery, continuing its high standards in securing the

best malt and hops and investing in facilities.

Kirin Group had developed a history of applying innovations

to respond flexibly to changes in the operating

environment. It did so by creatively and flexibly leveraging

the diversity of its businesses, operating regions, and

employees, whilst driving innovations worldwide as a means

of continuing to take on the challenge of creating new value.

In the 1980s, the Kirin Group expanded into the life sciences

industry and established a full-fledged pharmaceuticals

business. In order to diversify its operations further, Kirin

took steps toward creating a new company image while
improving its corporate structure.

At the heart of this process was a philosophy of Creating

Shared Value adopted in 2012.