About Us

Walking towards the Future

Innovation, firmly grounded in an idea, has the potential to create unique opportunities and inspire an endless string of results from an original concept. It is our vision, duty, and inspiration to create products that sustain and improve health, the environment and sanitation worldwide.

About Saraya

Orangutan Bridge over a river in borneo.

Through our company's history, we have seen technology, economy and the environment experience drastic changes. These past few years, we have seen the lasting effect of our growing population on the environment. It is too clear to ignore. Our oceans are reacting to rising temperatures from climate change, leaving us wondering how rising seas, migrating fish and shrinking ice caps will ever return to the state we have always known. As a company, it is our responsibility to respond to these changes through innovation for the future of our company and the environment. Every step of our journey since the start has been an ever progressing road of innovation based on the vision our company was founded on.

We must take responsibility to enact a reverse change on our habit of generously using the earth's precious resources. While the development of cheap and accessible energy speeds ahead, without knowing it, sustainable business and lifestyles have become further from reality. We owe everything to nature, but we continue to develop more waste and more problems in order to utilize our natural resources. To create a sustainable environment out of these problems requires taking the challenge to innovate from our current model of life and industry into a new model of sustainability. This will truly put business to the test.

Fortunately, the innovation and creation behind all of modern earth's amenities came from companies and thinkers who imagined a better world. This genuine expression of human ingenuity can lead the world on a path to sustainability and generations of harmony.

It is vital that businesses work together with NGOs so the world we know can last. SARAYA is making the challenge to utilize innovation, even for the smallest change, as a central player in the promotion of biodiversity and the improvement of hygiene and sanitation in countries from all levels of economic standing for a better future. Renewing our pledge, we will drive to do our part in realizing a sustainable world.


Our History

  • 1952 - Everything Started With Hand Washing

    1952

    Everything Started With Hand Washing

    In a post-war Japan where poor sanitation is leading to food poisoning and dysentery, Shota Saraya establishes SARAYA and replaces bar soap in public washrooms with Japan's first antibacterial liquid soap made from coconut oil.

  • 1961 - Cololo is Born

    1961

    Cololo is Born

    Air pollution becomes a nation-wide problem in Japan during the 1960s. SARAYA develops the gargling solution Cololo and machines similar to water fountains for dispensing it, making headlines while making gargling a part of Japanese hygienic culture.

  • 1971 - Release Of Yashinomi Detergent

    1971

    Release Of Yashinomi Detergent

    A botanical-based biodegradable kitchen detergent is released in response to the environmental damage caused by petroleum-based detergents, polluting Japan's waterways. Yashinomi is made from coconut oil and palm oil.

  • 1979 - Alcohol-Based Hand Disinfectants

    1979

    Alcohol-Based Hand Disinfectants

    SARAYA develops Hand Sanitor - the first alcohol-based hand disinfectant in Japan.

  • 1982 - No-Touch Dispensers

    1982

    No-Touch Dispensers

    Developed the no-touch sensor dispenser - an industry-first - years ahead of the competition.

  • 1983 - First Refill

    1983

    First Refill

    Yashinomi releases the world's first detergent refill pack to reduce garbage.

  • 1995 - Expanding to America

    1995

    Expanding to America

    Best Sanitizers, Inc. and SARAYA start the first joint venture outside of Japan.

  • 1996 - Lakanto, All-Natural Sweetener

    1996

    Lakanto, All-Natural Sweetener

    Developed and marketed the 100% natural sweetener Lakanto.

  • 2001 - Starting Acecide

    2001

    Starting Acecide

    Acecide peracetic acid disinfectant for medical device reprocessing is developed.

  • 2003 - Expanding Abroad

    2003

    Expanding Abroad

    A manufacturing plant in Dongguan China is opened, while SARAYA Korea Co., Ltd. is established in Seoul.

  • 2004 - Further Expansion

    2004

    Further Expansion

    SARAYA opens Saraya Manufacturing (Thailand) near Bangkok, and establishes sales companies in Hong Kong, Thailand, Taiwan, Shanghai, Canada, and Russia. Best Sanitizers Inc. Kentucky Factory opens in the USA.

  • 2006 - The BCT

    2006

    The BCT

    We help to start of the Borneo Conservation Trust in Malaysia.

  • 2007 - Joining the RSPO

    2007

    Joining the RSPO

    SARAYA is the first Japanese manufacturer to join the Roundtable of Sustainable Palm Oil.

  • 2008 - Environmental Prizes and Recognition

    2008

    Environmental Prizes and Recognition

    4th Japan Environmental Business Awards, 3rd Asahi Citizens Award, 2006 Osaka Public Recognition, 10th Environmental Communication Award, 10th Environmental Report Award, Sustainability Report Award...

  • 2009 - Expanding in USA and Malaysia

    2009

    Expanding in USA and Malaysia

    Best Sanitizers, Inc. Kentucky Factory is expanded to manufacture FDA approved Acecide peracetic acid disinfectant as well as alcohol sanitizer and soap. Saraya Malaysia is opened for business in Kuala Lumpur.

  • 2010 - UNICEFs Wash a Million Hands Campaign

    2010

    UNICEFs Wash a Million Hands Campaign

    We team up with Unicef Japan to start the Wash a Million Hands Campaign to provide hand hygiene to the families of Uganda.

  • 2011 - Saraya East Africa

    2011

    Saraya East Africa

    SARAYA opens its first African office in Kampala, Uganda, bringing Japanese hand hygiene to hospitals in Uganda.

  • 2011 - Joining ICPIC in Switzerland

    2011

    Joining ICPIC in Switzerland

    Supporting the WHO and the Clean Care is Safer Care program.

  • 2012 - New Eco-Friendly Products

    2012

    New Eco-Friendly Products

    Shavo Green, Happy Elephant, and Cocopalm are released. Each is made from RSPO sustainable palm oil.

  • 2012 - Lactoferrin Beauty

    2012

    Lactoferrin Beauty

    Lactoferrin Lab. is introduced in the Japanese market as the news skin formulation that rejuvenates your skin to its original beauty.

  • 2012 - Saraya India Private Limited

    2012

    Saraya India Private Limited

    SARAYA expands to Mumbai, India.

  • 2013 - Expansion Continues

    2013

    Expansion Continues

    We expand to Vietnam with a local JV to make Saraya Greentek Co., Ltd. New operations start in Cambodia.

  • 2014 - Sanilavo

    2014

    Sanilavo

    Sanilavo, the new washroom amenity lineup created for usability with a sense of modern interior design is released.

  • 2014 - Goodmaid Acquisition

    2014

    Goodmaid Acquisition

    SARAYA acquires a 100% stake in the Goodmaid Group, a Malaysian sales and manufacturing company of sanitation and hygiene products.

  • 2015 - Lakanto Expansion

    2015

    Lakanto Expansion

    Guilin Saraya Biotech is opened in Guilin, China for the manufacturing of Lakanto. Saraya USA is opened to market Lakanto in the United States.

  • 2016 - New Countries

    2016

    New Countries

    Two new offices join the SARAYA group: Saraya Higiene de Mexico, the company's first steps into Latin America, and Saraya Ukraine.

  • 2016 - Sustainability Lessons

    2016

    Sustainability Lessons

    President Yusuke Saraya publishes his second book on the creation of Japan's number one eco-brand.

  • 2017 - France Incorporation

    2017

    France Incorporation

    SARAYA acquires a share of Avenir Detergence SAS, a French sales and manufacturing company of sanitation and hygiene products.

  • 2017 - Kenya Expansion

    2017

    Kenya Expansion

    Saraya Kenya Company Limited becomes the 2nd company in the African continent.

  • 2018 - SDGs Award Winners

    2018

    SDGs Award Winners

    SARAYA receives the Minister of Foreign Affairs Deputy Director Award at the inaugural Japan SDGs Awards, hosted by the Government of Japan. We are also winners of the Sustainable Palm Oil Best Practice Award 2018.

  • 2018 - Increasing the Family

    2018

    Increasing the Family

    We incorporate companies in Tunisia, Egypt, and Canada.

  • 2019 - Even More...

    2019

    Even More...

    Poland and the United Arab Emirates have also become countries with a SARAYA presence.

  • 2020 - Kanto Factory

    2020

    Kanto Factory

    SARAYA's 4th factory in Japan is open, increasing production in foods, cosmetics, cleaning goods, etc.

  • 2020 - Sustainability Recognition

    2020

    Sustainability Recognition

    We are winners of the "Biodiversity Report Special Excellence Award" at the 23rd Environmental Communication Awards, for the second year in a row.

  • 2020 - Design Recognitions

    2020

    Design Recognitions

    Wash Bon, our brand with hand dispensers and ecological hand soaps, is the 2019 of the Good Design Award. Saraya Hand Lab Hand Spray VH wins the Japan Promotional Marketing Association Award, while Yashinomi Premium Power gets recognized at the "A'Design Award & Competition 2019-2020".

Our Offices

Company Profile

Company Name: Saraya Co., Ltd.

President: Yusuke Saraya
Headquarters Address: 2-2-8 Yuzato, Higashisumiyoshi-Ku, Osaka 546-0013 Japan
Date Founded: April 1, 1952
Capital: 45 Million Yen
Line of Business Development: Manufacturing and sales of health and hygiene products and services. Consultation on food and environmental sanitation. Development, manufacturing, and sales of food products.
Number of Employees: 2,277 employees (Japan only, as of October 2022)

Business Sites:
• Domestic Sales Offices: 46
• Domestic Factories: 5
• Laboratories: 3
• Overseas Subsidiaries: 32
• Overseas Factories: 16

Affiliated Companies:
• Tokyo Saraya Co., Ltd.
• Smile Sangyo Co., Ltd.
• Kumano Herb Gardens Inc.
• Kansai Saisigen Network Co., Ltd.
• Office Japan Co., Ltd.
• Saraya Environmental Design Co., Ltd.
• Vegeble Kitchen Co., Ltd.
• Iga Co., Ltd.
• Forward Beyond Wellness Co., Ltd.
• ESSENCE Co., Ltd.
• Northern Development Co., Ltd.
• The Links Co., Ltd.
• Tango Foods Co., Ltd.
• Best Fit Co., Ltd.
• CaNCaRaCan Co., Ltd.
• Saraya SBS Co., Ltd.

Front of SARAYA's headquarters building in Osaka, Japan.

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