Company Profile

Company Profile

Company name	sonomono Inc. (Japanese: そのもの株式会社）
Address	Fit Keyaki 602, 2-16-6 Kego, Chuo Ward, Fukuoka, 810-0023, Japan
Established	March 13, 2017
Capital	10 million yen
Business lines	Planning, development, and sales of foods, health foods, traditional crafts, etc.
Number of employees	6

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Board members

Chairman

Tetsuro Maeda

President

Emi Hidaka
Certified NR/Supplement Advisor (Japan Clinical Nutrition Association), Fermented Food Sommelier (Fermentation Culture Promotion Organization), and PCQI (FDA-Approved Curriculum by the U.S. FSPCA).

Media Features

Gut Health: Emi Hidaka of sonomono Inc. On What It Is, Why It’s So Important And How To Optimize It. Mar 20, 2026

How Traditional Japanese Wisdom can Bridge the Cardiovascular Health Gap. Apr 30, 2026

Could Japanese superfood natto be the solution our gut needs? June 15, 2026

What Japan Can Teach Us About Living Well for Longer. July 28, 2026

Natto, Fermented Foods and the Japanese Art of Wellness. Aug 12, 2026

Production and Development Advisor

Ayako Miyanohara

Academic advisor

Kazuya Ogasawara
Scientist / Graduated from Kumamoto Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Education / Research and development of functional food raw materials such as nattokinase / 35 years of research and development of microbiology, fermentation, and enzyme science mainly for natto bacteria.

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Advisory board members

Shunsuke Managi

Executive Vice President, Distinguished Professor, and Professor of the Graduate School of Engineering, Kyushu University / Director of Urban Research Center, Kyushu University / Ph.D. in Economics / United Nations SDGs Representative of “Inclusive Wealth Report” / Member of Science Council of Japan

Teruaki Mori

Graduated from Tohoku University School of Medicine / University of Toyama Pharmaceutical School / Certified Specialist of Japan Neurosurgery Association / Former Japan Table Tennis Association National Team Doctor / National Hospital Organization Nishibeppu Hospital Honorary Director / Social Medical Corporation Keiwakai Advisor / Former Director of Yufuin Welfare Pension Hospital / Certified Sports doctor.

Takehiko Fujino

Doctor of Medicine / Graduated from Kyushu University School of Medicine / Department of Internal Medicine / Cardiology / Professor Emeritus of Kyushu University / Chairman of Medical Corporation Books.

Yasufumi Murakami

Doctor of Pharmacy / Completed doctoral course at Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University / Professor, Tokyo University of Science / Secretary, Genome Drug Discovery and Medical Forum.

Kazuko Sato

Excretion / Geriatric Nursing Scientist / Graduate School of Design, Kyushu University of Design / Graduated from Faculty of Economics, Hosei University / Graduated from Aichi University of Education / Former Professor, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University Former Professor, Faculty of Medicine, Seitoku University / Professor, Faculty of Nursing, Seitoku University.

Hiroaki Masuyama

Representative Director of Symbiosis Solutions Co., Ltd./Editor of “Patent Shikiho” / Representative Director of Japan Agricultural Frontier Development Organization.

Mitsuo Koga

Koga Management Research Institute Co., Ltd. Representative Director / Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Creative Technology R & D Expense Subsidy Kyushu Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry Judging Committee Jury / Kumamoto Prefecture Industrial Policy Advisor Kyushu Prefecture Policy Advisor.

Yuichi Hasegawa

Hasegawa Co., Ltd. / Japan New Business Council Federation 2nd Chairman / Tokyo University of the Arts “Hasegawa Award for Buddha” Foundation.

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Company history

2017.03	Company establishment.
2017.12	Launched natto capsules.
2018.05	Launched natto powder.
2018.06	Launched mulberry leaves tea.
2018.12	Started selling Hakata-ori pouch (our first traditional craft product).
2019.06	Natto snacks crowdfunding project (927% of crowdfunding goal achieved).
2019.08	Launched natto snack.
2019.09	Started overseas sales in Singapore.
2019.11	Concluded a comprehensive cooperation agreement between Kohoku Town, Saga Prefecture, and the Kohoku Town Organic Study Group.
2020.05	Started sales operations in the United States
2020.05	Launched of “Natto Chocolate ZERO”. Developed in collaboration with a renowned chocolate shop.
2020.11	Started natto capsules clinical trial called: Kohoku Town Health Project.
2021.11	Presentation of results of the Kohoku Town Health Project.
2022.09	An article on sonomono Bacillus natto health effects was published in the international academic journal “Nutrients”.
2023.07	Introducing overseas efforts. Featured on NHK Good Morning Japan due to our efforts in disseminating natto overseas(national coverage)
2023.08	Winner of the Gold Award in the Immunology/Nutritional Balance Category of The Wellness Food Awards 2023
2023.08	Achieved 1st and 2nd place in the Health and Wellness category of Amazon US JAPAN STORE, first semester of 2023
2023.08	Launched a natto snack.
2023.08	Awarded the Best Buy Award by the prestigious product review magazine LDK
2024.02	Received the Excellence Award at the Cool Japan Platform “CJPF Award 2024” sponsored by the Cabinet Office.
2024.03	Courtesy visit to Fukuoka City Mayor Soichiro Takashima
2024.04	Courtesy visit to Fukuoka Prefecture Vice Governor Masaru Eguchi
2024.04	Courtesy visit to Saga Prefecture, Kohoku Town Mayor Yamada
2024.04	“CJPF Award 2024 Celebration” held at Hotel Nikko Fukuoka
2024.10	Export sales to the UK begin
2024.11	Certified as part of Taberu JAPAN’s “Delicious Award 2025”
2025.01	Selected for Kyushu in the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries’ “Discover Treasures of Rural Areas” Award
2025.01	Certified as part of Taberu JAPAN’s “Delicious Award 2025.”
2025.03	Certified as a “Health and Productivity Management Excellent Corporation 2025”