#Japan #Tokyo #Food Industry #healthcare sector #Roland Berger

Insightful Study on International Business Growth in Food and Healthcare

Roland Berger, one of Europe’s leading management consulting firms, has conducted a thorough survey targeting senior management from large-scale food and healthcare companies, each generating over 100 billion yen in sales. The focus of this research was to discern how these enterprises adapt to the diversification within their industries and to assess their strategies for business growth.

The findings of this survey reveal a crucial trend: building effective operations and frameworks that fundamentally understand local market conditions is essential for successful international business endeavors.

Research Findings

To better illustrate the notion of leadership in international business, the survey categorized companies into three types based on their product development and operational processes:
1. Japan-led: Companies that either transport and sell the same products abroad as they do domestically or develop overseas products solely through their domestic teams.
2. Hybrid: Firms that utilize information from overseas branches while having their domestic teams involved in product development and ensuring approval from the Japanese headquarters.
3. Overseas-led: Organizations where information gathering, product development, and sales decisions occur entirely at overseas locations, with the local team holding independent authority.

According to Wataru Matsumoto, the head of Roland Berger’s Consumer Team, and Wataru Hayami, Principal, the emphasis on overseas business in the food and healthcare sectors reveals that companies often view foreign markets through the lens of Japan or nearby regions. This can hinder significant growth opportunities. They argue that relying on decisions made in Japan based on overseas data can lead to delays and misunderstandings regarding local market conditions. Establishing local operational branches and granting decision-making powers to those teams are fundamental for the growth of international businesses.

Survey Overview

• - Survey Period: June 2025
• - Conducted by: Roland Berger
• - Method: Online Survey
• - Target Group: Executives and management from food and healthcare firms with sales exceeding 100 billion yen nationwide
• - Valid Responses: 197 respondents

Roland Berger’s Consumer Team has published a comprehensive report titled “Global Trends in Food and Health – Future Predictions and Business Opportunities.” This report addresses various nutrition standards in Europe, the triad of health trends, and outlines six future projections that can create business opportunities for companies in the food and healthcare sectors. The aim is to provide valuable insights for these businesses as they navigate through the evolving landscape of food and health.

The report is available for download on their website, presenting an opportunity for stakeholders to gain further understanding of the shifting dynamics in international markets.

Consulting Inquiry

For those interested in consulting services, Roland Berger’s Consumer Team specializes in supporting a wide array of entities within the food industry, including food and beverage manufacturers, retail firms, restaurant businesses, and agricultural entities.
For more information, kindly reach out through their website or by phone at 03-4564-6660, directed to the consultants listed below.

• - Wataru Matsumoto (Partner, Roland Berger)

After working in a general trading company, Matsumoto spent several years at Roland Berger from 2004 to 2008. Following his time at a turnaround consulting firm, he returned to Roland Berger in 2021. He is a licensed CPA with comprehensive expertise across consumer-focused industries, including food, beverages, appliances, cosmetics, apparel, restaurants, hotels, and retail. His experience ranges from PMI (post-merger integration), performance improvement, business turnaround, to organizational structural reform. Recently, he has been focusing on company-wide organizational reforms aimed at promoting DX introduction. He graduated from the University of Tokyo with a degree in Literature.

• - Wataru Hayami (Principal, Roland Berger)

Following his tenure at a foreign consulting firm, Hayami specializes in consumer goods, retail, and entertainment. He has extensive experience in consulting services focused on marketing and branding, business strategy formulation, M&A support, cost reduction, and new business development. He holds a master's degree from Osaka University’s Graduate School of International Public Policy Studies.

About Roland Berger

Established in 1967 and headquartered in Munich, Germany, Roland Berger is one of the world's premier management consulting firms. With operations in over 50 major cities worldwide, the firm prides itself on fostering entrepreneurship, excellence, and empathy. It provides unparalleled expertise and services to address current and future significant challenges in business.