Kao Group and China's leading company Shanghai Jahwa United Co., Ltd. (Chairman: Ge Wenyao; Head Office: Shanghai) have agreed to a strategic business alliance. Accordingly, Kao Commercial (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. (President and CEO: Minoru Tokita; Head Office: Shanghai) and Shanghai Jahwa Sales Co., Ltd. (President: Ye Weimin; Head Office: Shanghai) have entered into a written contract on marketing and sales.

The new alliance aims to expand sales of Kao Group's products in the Chinese market by making use of Shanghai Jahwa Sales' robust marketing structure and wholesale channels, which extend throughout the country.

Kao Group positions China as the market for primary focus. More specifically, the Group is promoting "enforcement of product lines, targeting those brackets for which drastic consumption increases are expected," and "enhancement of marketing and sales activities throughout China." The alliance will bolster Kao's expansion in the area by allowing for swifter and more efficient provision of the Group's products.

Initially focusing on three brands - laundry detergent Attack, a disposable diaper Merries, and a sanitary napkin Laurier - Kao will begin preparations aiming at full-fledged sales activities throughout China for Kao products from 2013.

Kao creates high-value-added products to help consumers around the world enrich their everyday lives.Asience, Attack, Bioré, Goldwell, Jergens, John Frieda, Kanebo, Laurier, Merries and Molton Brown are part of the lives of people in Asia, Oceania, North America and Europe and help generate about 1,200 billion yen (about $US13 billion) in annual sales. Kao employs about 35,000 people worldwide and has more than 120 years of history in innovation. Please visit the Kao group web site for updated information.