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Korea Herald
08-05-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
CJ CheilJedang expands in Japan with new dumpling plant
South Korean food giant CJ CheilJedang announced Thursday that it is building a new factory in Japan to expand production of its dumpling products, part of a broader strategic push to tap into Japan's growing appetite for Korean cuisine. Backed by a 100 billion won ($71.5 million) investment, the facility, now under construction in Chiba prefecture, sits on a 42,000-square-meter site -- roughly the size of six soccer fields -- with a total floor area of 8,200 square meters. Scheduled to begin operations in September, the factory will primarily produce the company's flagship Bibigo dumplings bound for shelves throughout Japan. According to the company, it is targeting the country's frozen dumpling market, estimated to be worth about 1.1 trillion won annually. The move comes as CJ CheilJedang looks to ride the wave of Korean culture, which has expanded beyond K-pop and Korean dramas to encompass food and lifestyle. During his first overseas workplace visit of the year in April, CJ Group Chair Lee Jae-hyun called the current surge in Korean cultural influence 'a crucial opportunity for K-culture' to deepen its global presence, urging the company's food business to seize the momentum. The new facility is poised to boost Bibigo's production volume to a great extent while enhancing both the scale and quality of the company's operations in Japan. CJ CheilJedang currently operates four dumpling factories in Japan, following its 2019 acquisition of Japanese dumpling maker Gyoza Keikaku. 'By proactively building local infrastructure, we aim to harness the rekindled momentum of Korean culture and establish ourselves as a global food leader,' a company official said. Alongside its broader global expansion, the company is also extending its manufacturing network in key markets such as the US and Europe. Last November, CJ CheilJedang finalized plans for a new plant near Budapest, Hungary, slated to open in 2026. Meanwhile, construction is underway on an Asian food facility in South Dakota set for completion by 2027.
Korea Herald
09-04-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
CJ chief doubles down on Japan amid K-culture tailwind
CJ Group Chair Lee Jae-hyun made his first overseas workplace visit of the year to Japan earlier this month, stepping up the conglomerate's global push in a neighboring market deeply steeped in Korean cultural influence. According to the company on Wednesday, Lee visited Tokyo from April 2-4, accompanied by senior executives from the group's affiliates, during which he inspected CJ operations and underscored the importance of seizing opportunities. His bid comes at a moment when CJ is widening its reach with a growing mix of operations across food, entertainment and beauty. 'The Korean Wave in Japan is not merely a fleeting trend, but a crucial opportunity for K-culture to take deeper root in global markets,' Lee said, adding that ventures like the company's food and entertainment businesses must capitalize on the momentum. CJ CheilJedang is actively expanding its food portfolio in Japan, while CJ ENM operates Lapone Entertainment — a joint venture established in 2019 with Japanese entertainment company Yoshimoto Kogyo. Last year, CJ Olive Young set up a local subsidiary in Japan, which it has identified as one of its key strategic markets. To position CJ as a leading global player, Lee further called for accelerated localization alongside the development of global infrastructure, while urging the pursuit of new business opportunities, including expanding the market presence of CJ Olive Young. His visit also included high-stakes business talks with Japanese company chairmen, including those from TBS Holdings, Itochu Corporation and Mizuho Financial Group, during which they explored business cooperation and shared insights on potential new business initiatives. Veering beyond corporate matters, Lee engaged in discussions with academics and cultural experts about the rising popularity of K-culture and the search for new growth drivers in Japan's economic landscape. 'The chairman's visit was aimed at understanding local trends on-site and check on the progress of global expansion, at a time when Korean culture continues to spread among younger generations in Japan,' a company official said. 'He will continue sharing the group's vision with employees and strengthening communication as CJ accelerates its global push."
