Our Research Institute

Greetings from the Director

Research Institute
Director
Sachiyuki Teramoto

At the Research Institute, we carry out R&D activities with the idea of using technology to realize the FANCL Group Philosophy – “Eliminate the ‘Negatives’ with a Sense of Justices” –constantly in our minds. We believe innovation comes from asking what kind of “negatives” our customers face and how these can be eliminated. Our researchers are consistently conducting research – from fundamental to applied – in the fields of health and beauty, with customer satisfaction always at the forefront of their minds.

Utilizing the knowledge, technology, and know-how that we have cultivated in the fields of health and beauty, we not only provide customers with solutions (products), but also technology that assesses (or enables the visualization of) their skin and health conditions. We continue to consider how these technologies can be even more effective for individuals. But it is crucial that this is based on evidence. At FANCL, we will always validate our technology based on the evidence and pursue R&D with the aim of creating effective products for customers. We will continue to refine our unique technologies and provide products and services that shape future trends.

Research Institutes - Full List

Cosmetics Research Institute

Our Cosmetics Research Institute is mainly used to develop cosmetics and medicated cosmetic products. Cosmetics contain numerous elements, and we conduct R&D activities focused not only the feel and function of our products, but also on their containers, new materials, and evaluation methods. We believe that it is only when all these elements are combined that a product will satisfy our customers. Starting with flagship products like Mild Cleansing Oil, our researchers are constantly working to develop products that are both safe and reliable, and with ever-improving functionality and usability. Going forward, we will continue to carefully consider our customers' feedback in pursuit of the development of innovative products that are currently unavailable elsewhere in the world, motivated by the goal of eliminating even those "negatives" that our customers themselves may not yet be aware of.

Director Ryouichi Nakatake

Functional Food Research Institute

Our Functional Food Research Institute is engaged in the development of a range of foods with functional claims, including supplements, Kale juices, and Hatsuga Genmai (germinated brown rice). The Institute conducts clinical trials centered on the development of foods with functional claims, which require both safety and functionality, with the aim of creating products that help our customers maintain and improve their health, along with verifying the products' functionality. To further enhance this functionality, we are developing products with a focus on “efficacy in the body”, using formula technologies to control absorption processes and ensure that our products' ingredients function properly within the body. We also pay close attention to ease of ingestion, developing dosage forms and food forms with consideration of factors such as size, shape, and taste. For the health of our customers, we are developing products that are safe, functional, and easily consumed on a daily basis.

Director Erika Ono

Fundamental Technology Research Center for Health and Beauty

Our Fundamental Technology Research Center for Health and Beauty is responsible for the research and development of core technologies that create innovative value in the fields of beauty and health. In the field of beauty, we support our customers with solutions to skin concerns primarily through research on Mutenka(additive-free) cosmetics that do not cause any stress to the skin and are the core products of FANCL. We also promote the development of functional ingredients and the advancement of evaluation technologies to help solve specific issues. In the field of health, we are committed to identifying promising functional food ingredients and clarifying their mechanisms, aiming to solve health-related issues in the era of the 100-year life and to contribute to proposal-based research. To provide our customers with optimal solutions, we are also focusing on research to “visualize” skin and health conditions, striving to address future challenges. We will continue to tackle future challenges through research and development, taking an approach from both inside and outside the body.

Director Tamie Suzuki

Research Strategy Office

Our Research Strategy Office drives creation of the systems and mechanisms for the FANCL Research Institute to perform research activities as one team and consistently generate research outcomes leading to customer value creation. We capture environmental changes, show the direction of research from a long-term perspective, and optimize resource allocation while implementing overall management of the research themes, organization, and human resources. We are also responsible for the equipment management, accounting, and general affairs of the FANCL Research Institute, and we strongly support research activities through the development of an operational foundation for research activities. As a "hub" of internal and external collaboration, we constantly strive to establish a better research environment while embracing changes, aiming to deliver new value to our customers.

Office Director Tomomi Akiyama

Academic Communication Advancement Office

Our Academic Communication Advancement Office integrates and manages research achievements and expertise created through the research-and-development activities of FANCL and communicates scientific evidence-based information to the society and the specialty. Acting as a bridge between research and business, we systematically compile data and evidence from individual research institutes to support highly valid, reproducible, and transparent information organization and expression, while considering publication and academic presentation. In the joint research with universities and research institutions, we support smooth collaboration and result achievement by organizing outcomes, articulating academic values, and designing communication strategies. We also focus on governance and quality control in the handling and external communication of academic information to establish a foundation for accurate communication of our research outcomes to the society. Through these activities, we will enhance academic credibility of FANCL’s research and development and promote sustainable co-creation with academia.

Office Director Chiharu Shinde