Bringing the Very Best in Health, Beauty & Wellness from Japan 1st Japanese Health Food Company listed on JASDAQ
1st Japanese Company awarded Health Food GMP status
Trusted by Millions in Japan since 1969
Corporate Philosophy Since its establishment in 1969, AFC Japan stands by its corporate philosophy of ensuring product efficacy, integrity and safety in bringing top quality, highly effective products that are appreciated by its consumers.
This strong philosophy propels AFC Japan to become the leading brand in the health food arena.
Health is the foremost consideration for happiness and contentment.
By establishing an effective production system that runs everything in house, from procuring raw materials, manufacturing and transportation to advertising sales, AFC is able to manage and take control of every process. Cost savings can then be passed on to consumers, thereby offering affordable health products to the public. As an ever-growing corporation, AFC aims to create a future where the people are happy and healthy.
Quality Control and Assurance
The research and development team behind AFC Japan is made up of the very best in Japan. Every stage of production goes through a sequence of stringent quality control parameters. Formula derivation, ingredient testing, quality control are some of the few areas that the team strives for perfection in.
Ingredient selection undergoes an uncompromised sifting and testing process. Only the best ingredients and raw materials are being used.
Extremely stringent criteria in quality control:
Accurate evaluations of the qualities ( e.g., safety, stability, effectiveness, etc. ) of raw materials and ingredients used for manufacturing products are ensured by conducting stringent receiving inspections through the acquisition of all necessary information, such as certificates of origin, manufacturing procedures and quality specifications, as well as clinical trial data (evidence) and other academic data.
Research & Development
Over the decades, AFC has also forged a reputation as the leader in anti-aging science and nutritional research. Backed by a team of reputable and dedicated scientists and research personnel, AFC has innovated many products, using ground breaking technology that became category leaders and trusted by consumers.
AFC-HD AMS Life Science together with Nihon Preventive Medical Laboratory Co., Ltd. have also established effective manufacturing processes, from planning/design of new products, prototype production/experiments to full-scale production, thereby securing a robust and seamless quality assurance environment.
Group organizational structure - Holistic, Inclusive and Complete AFC Japan is the health supplement arm of AFC-HD AMS Life Science Co.Ltd (formerly known as AMS). AMS Group is the first health food company to be listed on JASDAQ. The AFC-HD conglomerate comprises:
Honzo - a TCM Kampō company incorporated since 1831 with a solid 180 years of history in manufacturing TCM products.
Kampō is the Japanese study and adaptation of Traditional Chinese medicine. Kampō medicine is a very respectable medicinal category in Japan. Kampō medicine in Japan is regulated as pharmaceutical preparations; their ingredients are exactly measured and standardized. Regulations, and likewise safety precautions, are much stronger and tighter for Japanese Kampō than Traditional Chinese medicine.
Honzo supplies at least 50% of its products to hospitals
Nihon Preventive Laboratory - the research arm of AFC-HD with a team of experienced scientists
Develop efficacious products based on scientific data using the latest technology
TaKaRa - the leading giant Japanese research and production conglomerate
Both AFC- HD and TaKaRa own shares in each other’s companies so as to leverage onto each company’s core capabilities.
Kenko TV - a TV production company with dedicated health channel
advertising arm for all the groups under AFC-HD
responsible for TVC production, print advertisements, product videos and magazines
TV channel reaches all of Japan, bringing trusted health and beauty tips to Japanese consumers
Product Reliability and Safety – High level of quality control
High Quality - High regard for consumer satisfaction and trust
- Emphasis on product safety and quality, at the same time taking special consideration in using environmental friendly materials
Quality products at affordable prices - consumer friendly and eco-friendly packaging, effective products at affordable prices
History
AFC Japan was founded by Asayama Tadahiko after accumulating years of sales and trading experience. Subsequently AFC (Asayama Family Club) developed mail order sales channel and ventured into the growing cosmetics industry. In 1999, AFC commenced international trade, developed more than 200 star products and won highest rating in the Japanese market. AFC soon expanded into more overseas to countries such as Singapore, Korea etc.
During the pioneer years of setting up AFC, Asayama Tadahiko realized that the industry is very fragmented and operated on small scales on a weak foundation that often prioritise sales and only focus on cutting cost over other factors such as quality. He insisted in building a large comprehensive production system that operated on the 4 main principles of raising quality standards, affordability, increasing awareness and social responsibility. He was the very first in the health foods industry to devote to R&D and retail, successfully revolutionizing the Japanese health foods industry.
Being able to understand the ever changing health and beauty needs of consumers, Asayama Tadahiko’s AFC continues to expand and grow and became the leader of the Japanese functional health food industry.
Milestones of AFC Japan
1969
Founded Asayama Shoji in Shizuoka City
1975
Asayama Shoji Co., Ltd was incorporated, in order to enhance its dietary supplement business
1980
The dietary supplement business spun off into a separate company, named Mioh Foods Co., Ltd.
1982
The special dietary supplement mail order sales division, Asayama Family Club (current AFC Co., Ltd., a consolidated subsidiary), was established.
Asayama Shoji Co., Ltd., established a new plant attached to an office in Toro, Shizuoka City, and relocated its head office to the office in Toro.
1994
Mioh Foods Co., Ltd., built a new plant attached to the head office and offered general OEM (original equipment manufacturing) manufacturing capability.
1995
The Nihon Preventive Medical Laboratory (current Nihon Preventive Medical Laboratory Co., Ltd., a consolidated subsidiary) was founded within the plant of the Mioh Foods Co., Ltd., with the aim of promoting research and product planning of dietary supplements.
2001
Asayama Shoji Co., Ltd., changed its name to AMS Life Science Co., Ltd., concurrently with the completion of its new plant in Toyoda, Shizuoka City.
The cosmetics division was founded, obtained a business license, and started the development and production of its cosmetics products.
2004
Nihon Preventive Medical Laboratory Co., Ltd., founded Kenko TV Co., Ltd. (current consolidated subsidiary) as its affiliated company.
2005
AMS Life Science Co., Ltd. formed its Tokyo office
The second plant of AMS Life Science Co., Ltd. and the call center at the head office of AFC Co., Ltd. were set -up.
The head office plant of AMS Life Science Co., Ltd. was granted GMP certification for the manufacturing of dietary supplements by the JHNFA.
Nihon Preventive Medical Laboratory Co., Ltd. Test production facility was completed.
2007
Appointed Lifestream Group Pte Ltd as its sole distributor for Singapore and SEA markets
Honzo Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (current consolidated subsidiary) was established. Their production and sales of Ethical Kampō (TCM/ Chinease harb) formulation, non-proprietary drug, and health care products were highly successful and the company diversified into medical business.
The company acquired majority stake in Shojikimura Co., Ltd. (current consolidated subsidiary), which has a retail and wholesale business of organic foods, and added to the AMS group.
Hanamai Co., Ltd. (current consolidated subsidiary) was added to the group.
2008
The company entered into a contract of capital and business alliance with Takara Holdings Inc
2009
Acquired Moriya Co., Ltd to become AFC Moriya Co.,Ltd. Largest retail chain of 117 outlets in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics
2010
AMS Life Science Co., Ltd. changed its name to AFC-HD AMS Life Science Co., Ltd.
2011
New branding Initiative
AFC Japan engaged the internationally acclaimed master of product design Saihei Makinami to revamp the AFC logo based on the corporate values of safety and dedication to customers’ health and youth. The new logo symbolizes the ring of happiness and contentment connected by nurturing hearts, and “constantly creating future”. This new brand logo was officially adopted on 1 Sept, 2011.
To meet increasing market demands, the 4th factory is established in Shizuoka prefecture, Kuniyoshida. It is a 7-storey building and provides one-stop facility from planning, production, purchasing, packaging to shipping.
Environmental Awareness
AFC is also actively involved in preserving the environment by incorporating environmental friendly materials during its production and packaging process. For example, the air-pillow cushioning material used for packaging does not emit dioxin and hydrogen chloride when incinerated.
AFC Japan was founded by Asayama Tadahiko after accumulating years of sales and trading experience. Subsequently AFC (Asayama Family Club) developed mail order sales channel and ventured into the growing cosmetics industry. In 1999, AFC commenced international trade, developed more than 200 star products and won highest rating in the Japanese market. AFC soon expanded into more overseas to countries such as Singapore, Korea etc.
