Founded as a Japan national policy business to manufacture Japan-made rice bran oil

Saburo Murai became president.

Established Gifu Rice Bran Oil Plant in Kasamatsu-cho, Hashima-gun, Gifu Prefecture and started manufacturing using compression techniques.

Designated as a plant under control of the Japanese Army and Navy

Introduced a solvent extraction method.

Reorganized to Gifu Rice Bran Oil Plant Co., Ltd

Completed Ichinomiya Plant. Started full-scale manufacture of rice bran oil.

Changed its name to Oryza Oil & Fat Chemical Co., Ltd. Completed Ichinomiya Plant.

Developed the low temperature extraction method (NEM). Oryza’s revolutionary period

Succeeded in developing the low temperature extraction method (NEM). Applied for patent with major countries.

Advanced the medical, pharmaceutical products and health food fields.

Started production of gamma-oryzanol and started selling pure brown rice germ oil “Toughlon.” Advanced the medical, pharmaceutical products and health food fields.

Akio Murai became president.

Completed the rotating cell extraction plant as a model plant of NEM technology for overseas sales.

Obtained a patent for NEM and exported the NEM plant to Shinyang Rice & Oil Co., Ltd. in South Korea.

Established affiliates Argos Co., Ltd. and System Athena Co., Ltd.

Exported the NEM plant and Super Filter (dewaxing machine) to provinces in China such as Hunan, Hubei, and Sichuan.

Entered into a contract to export the NEM plant and Super Filter to PHIC in Burma (now Myanmar) in cooperation with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. and Yoshino Seisakusho Co., Ltd.

Exported Super Filter to Taiwan.

Completed a plant with a consistent production line from powder mixing to granulation. Started contract production.

Developed mass production technology for Gaba-enriched rice germ after conducting research jointly with Chugoku National Agricultural Experiment Station, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Applied for a patent.

Put the Gaba-enriched rice germ on the market as “Oryza Gaba® Germ” and started selling it.

Started selling nutritional supplement “Oryza Gaba 21” with Oryza Gaba® Germ as its main raw material.

Designated a creative business per the Temporary Law concerning Measures for the Promotion of the Creative Business Activities of Small and Medium Enterprises

Discovered strong anti-allergy and anti-inflammatory effects in the components polyphenol and flavonoid in perilla seeds.

Presented these findings at the Japan Society for Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Agrochemistry (JSBBA) and started selling “Perilla Seed Extract.”

Succeeded in developing a technology for fractionating tocotrienol, a minor component found in rice germ oil.
Started selling it with the name “Oryza Tocotrienol®,” which has cholesterol-lowering and in-vivo antioxidative effects.

Started selling “Oryza Squalane®,” its ingredient squalane derived from rice.

Started selling “Ferulic Acid,” a polyphenol that helps improve brain function.

Presented “The Effects of Gaba-Enriched Rice Germ Against Insomnia, Depression, and Autonomic Neuropathy in Humans” to The Japanese Society for Food Science and Technology.

Endeavored to sell functional materials against the backdrop of the health food boom.

Discovered that perilla seed components polyphenol and flavonoid have strong antibiotic effects against oral bacteria.
Presented these findings to the Japanese Society for Bacteriology.

Succeeded in extracting and fractionating ceramide (glycosphingolipids) from rice bran and rice germ, verified its whitening effect, and started selling it as “Oryza Ceramide®.”

Started selling “Oryza Sterol,” a 100% rice-derived plant vegetable sterol.

Started selling “Perilla Seed Extract,” which was expected to prevent cavities and periodontal disease with its antimicrobial activity.

Presented “A Clinical Review of the Skin-Beautifying Effect of Food Containing Rice-Derived Ceramide.”

Discovered that a high concentration of polyphenols with strong antioxidation activity are contained in evening primrose seeds.
Started selling “Evening Primrose Extract” upon newly discovering its glucose absorption inhibitory activity.

Started selling sports ingredient “Octacosanol,” which was expected to increase muscle strength and improve motor function.

Presented “Evening Primrose Extract Glucose Elevation Inhibitory Effect Against Food Load in Borderline and Diabetic Patients.”

Verified the apoptosis induction and whitening effects of evening primrose extract.

Started selling “Germinated Broccoli Powder,” which contains a high amount of sulforaphane said to have anticancer effects.

Started selling “Litchi Seed Extract,” which has collagenase, hyaluronidase, and tyrosinase inhibitory activity.

Also started selling “Fermented Rice Germ Extract,” which has macrophage and natural killer cell activation functions.

Started selling a powder containing a high amount of lutein (ester), which prevents age-related macular degeneration in the eyes, as “Lutein (Ester)-P80.”

Started selling “Purple Rice Extract,” a general beauty food ingredient that combines the elastase, collagenase, hyaluronidase, and tyrosinase inhibitory effects with the melanin formation inhibitory effect and glucose absorption inhibitory effect.

Obtained ISO 9001 certification.

Started selling “Buckwheat Leaf Extract,” a vascular disorder prevention ingredient that was claimed to improve cold sensitivity and stiff shoulders by improving blood circulation and promoting skin temperature recovery.

Discovered the following effects in evening primrose polyphenol: Helicobacter pylori growth inhibition, urease inhibition, and adherence/settlement inhibition.
Started selling “Evening Primrose Extract.”

Started selling the multi-diet ingredient “Coffee Bean Extract” upon discovering its effects, such as fat burning, fat decomposition acceleration, fat absorption inhibition, and fat accumulation inhibition.

Hiromichi Murai became president.

Started selling “Japanese Butterbur Extract,” which was expected to have an anti-allergy effect against allergic rhinitis such as hay fever.
It was claimed to have a synergistic effect with “Perilla Seed Extract.”

Started selling “Alpha-Lipoic Acid” upon independently discovering its effect as a strong in-vivo antioxidant as well as its dietary and skin-beautifying and whitening functions.

Started selling “Citrus Unshiu Extract” with the main component β-cryptoxanthin, which has the following effects: osteoporosis prevention, melanin formation inhibition, pigmentation inhibition, and cell activation.

Started selling “Cacao Extract,” which contains theobromine and polyphenol and has the following effects: weight increase inhibition, fat accumulation inhibition, fat burning acceleration, and fat absorption inhibition.

Started selling “Kiwi Seed Extract,” which contains flavonoid glycoside (quercitrin), has anti-acne, anti-wrinkle, anti-dark circle, beautification, and anti-inflammatory effects, as well as inhibits melanin synthesis.

Started selling “Oryza Triterpenoid,” which has a superior cholesterol reduction effect.

Started selling “Yuzu Seed Extract,” which was expected to beautify skin through its whitening and skin turn-over acceleration effect, relieve stress, and improve blood circulation.

Independently discovered that “Astaxanthin”—which had a record of benefiting health in multiple ways based on its in-vivo antioxidation effect—accelerates the recovery of cerebral ischemia and started selling it.

Started selling “Red Ginger Extract,” an ingredient that has an anti-inflammatory effect and benefits joint disease.

Started selling “Walnut Polyphenol,” which is rich in hydrolyzable polyphenol, improving hyperlipidemia and accelerating fat metabolism.

Started selling a nutritional fortification ingredient “Chinese Chive Seed Extract,” which contains allylcysteine, improves sexual potency, is anti-fatigue, is anti-aging, and has the effect of improving immune strength.

Steadily received accolades as a manufacturing company.

Completed the new head office and plant.

Established the Tokyo Sales Office in Kandasuda-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo.

Started selling “Cistanche Tubulosa Extract,” which improves brain function, is anti-aging, is anti-fatigue, improves sexual potency, improves immune strength, and has fat metabolism acceleration and hair restoration effects.

Started selling “Resveratrol,” an antioxidant made from French grapes that had an abundant amount of data on it in the beauty sector.

Started selling “Red Rice Extract,” which contains the red-colored component proanthocyanidin and addresses metabolic syndrome.

Started selling “White Jelly Fungus Extract,” which inhibits the absorption of fat and improves intestinal flora.

Started selling “Strawberry Seed Extract,” which has an anti-obesity effect, accelerates the synthesis of ceramide and hyaluronic acid, and inhibits the production of melanin.

Started selling “Fucoxanthin,” a kelp and wakame seaweed carotenoid that has beautifying effects such as an anti-obesity effect, alleviation of metabolic syndrome, and inhibition of melanin production.

Selected as one of the “Most Innovative Companies in the 300 Vibrant Monozukuri (Manufacturing) Small and Medium Enterprises” by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry

Obtained “The Health Food Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Conformity Certification” from The Japanese Institute for Health Food Standards (JIHFS).

Certified as an Aichi Prefecture’s “Aichi Quality Company”

Started selling “Lingonberry Extract,” a whitening and anti-inflammatory ingredient with arbutin as a standard component.

Started selling rice-derived “Oryza Protein®” and “Oryza Peptide®,” which are rich in nutrients and have anti-obesity and muscle building effects.

Started selling beauty food ingredient “Sakura Extract.” It was claimed to have an anti-aging effect due to its Japanese traditional beauty and anti-saccharification effects.

Awarded the ifia/HFE 2010 Best Product Award for Sakura Extract

Started selling “Coprino®,” a high-class fungi beauty ingredient containing a high amount of ergothioneine.

Started selling “Polyamine” extracted from wheat germ. It was expected to promote hair regeneration and have an anti-aging effect.

Awarded the ifia/HFE 2011 Best Exhibit Award for Sakura Extract

Started selling “Maqui Berry Extract (MaquiBright®),” which prevents eye disease and has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidation effects.

Started selling a nutritional fortification ingredient “Black Ginger Extract,” which improves cold sensitivity, edema, and muscularity.

Started selling “Watershield Extract,” which has the effects of fat accumulation inhibition and skin cell disorder inhibition through a joint research with the Akita Prefecture General Food Research Center.

Started selling “Oryza Polyamine®,” which was extracted from rice germ and expected to act as an anti-aging ingredient that promotes hair regeneration and hair care and has an anti-saccharification effect.

Found a way to the overseas market and advanced to Asia.

Signing ceremony of membership with Thailand’s Naresuan University in 2012

Started selling “Bird’s Nest Extract,” a skin-beautifying ingredient containing natural EGF made by extracting a swallow’s nest, which was considered a miracle drug for longevity.

Awarded ifia/HFE 2013 Best Product Award for Bird’s Nest Extract

Started selling “Purple Tea Extract,” a raw material of Kenya-made purple tea, which contains the distinctive polyphenol “GHG” and anthocyanin, which has anti-obesity and skin aging inhibition effects.

Obtained Halal Certification for six products.

Started selling “Kiku Flower Extract” containing luteolin and other flavonoid components, which were expected to improve symptoms of gout, and were expected to have deep skincare and skin-beautifying effects.

Obtained ISO 22000 and ISO 22716 certifications.

Started selling “Seaberry Extract” and “Seaberry Fruit Oil.” These products use the fruit of Seaberry plant, an elaeagnaceae deciduous shrub, as a raw material and has the effect of inhibiting the age-related enlargement of the prostate and improving urination problems due to overactive bladder.

Awarded ifia/HFE 2015 Best PR Award for Seaberry Extract and Fruit Oil

Started selling “Passionflower Extract” made from the raw material passionflower herb used in European medical and pharmaceutical products. It was expected to improve life rhythm and sleep quality through an increased expression level of the CLOCK (Circadian Locomotor Output Cycles Kaput) gene.

Discovered an anti-aging (anti-carbonylation) effect in “Broccoli Sprout Extract,” which already had a detoxification enzyme activation effect.

Awarded ifia/HFE 2016 Technology Award (Initiatives toward Halal Certification and foods with function claims)

Started selling the world’s first microalgae-derived fucoxanthin product “FucoREX®.” It uses a stable supply of microalgae—containing high concentrations of the carotenoid fucoxanthin—as a raw material. Through clinical tests, it was expected to have an anti-obesity effect (visceral fat reduction effect).

Established a local entity Oryza (Thailand) in Thailand. Opened an office in Malaysia.

Established a joint venture in Thailand.

Awarded Package Design Award by SIAL China (Shanghai) for salad oil extracted from rice bran

Started selling “Aguaje Extract,” which has a mild female hormone-like effect and improves problems particular to women before and during menstruation.

Started selling “Krill Oil (Isada Oil)” (the only Japan-made Krill Oil), which is an ingredient for dieting and alleviating metabolic syndrome containing the new anti-obesity component 8-HEPE.

Started selling “Tomato Seed Extract,” which is made from tomato seeds and has a skin-beautifying effect from the promotion of recycling
collagen and elastin.

Started selling “cosmeHerbest® Black Cumin” (Nigella Sativa Seed Extract), a deodorant cosmetic ingredient that inhibits the smells of sweat, middle fat, and aging occurring in many age groups.

Awarded ifia/HFE 2018 Best Product Award for Maqui Berry Extract

Relocated the Tokyo Sales Office to a new office.

Awarded ifia/HFE 2019 Best Product Award for Aguaje Extract

Started selling “Zanthoxylum Bungeanum Oil (SalivaMoist®),” an ingredient that improves oral care and dry mouth through a salivation promotion effect.

Vita Foods Europe in Geneva selected a product with Maqui Berry Extract composition as OMEGA 3 Product of the Year.

Registered August 18 as “Oryza Rice Bran Oil Day” in the Japan Anniversary Association.

Put “PhytoRetinol®”, an ingredient for a drink or a cosmetic as a measure against wrinkles, on the market. It is a natural ingredient that was expected to replace retinol, which was popular in the cosmetic market.

Put two brands with different claims on the market, one with Oryza Oil & Fat Chemical’s first lactic acid bacteria as the raw material, and one with kuzu lactic acid bacteria. “ImmunoRise Lactic Acid Bacteria™” has an immunostimulative and infection risk-lowering effect, and “SkinBarrier Lactic Acid Bacteria®” has a skin moisture/barrier function improving effect.

Newsweek interviewed the president about the health food market.

Awarded ifia/HFE 2021 Best PR Award for Zanthoxylum Bungeanum Oil (SalivaMoist®)

Started selling “Vine Tea Extract,” which has dietary and hepatoprotection effects.

Established a holding company called “Oryza Holdings Co., Ltd.”

Received the “Technology Award (Wisteria Tea Extract)” at Ifia/HFE2022

Launch of Mountain Caviar Extract, a blood sugar control material that also suppresses glucose absorption

Established Vietnam representative office