Mizkan (ミツカン Mitsukan) is a Japanese company that produces vinegars (including seasoned rice vinegars, balsamic vinegars, and wine vinegars), mustards, jellies, salad dressings, authentic Asian sauces, and other food products. It is based in Handa, Aichi Prefecture, near Nagoya. It was officially registered as a corporate entity in July 1977.
Mizkan's products are marketed in Asia, North America, and Europe. Its name was Mitsukan until 1998 or 2004, when the company officially changed its name to Mizkan.
In 2004 Nakano Foods became Mizkan Americas, and its parent company became Mizkan Group Corporation. Its corporate motto is "Bringing Flavor to Life".[1]
The company's president is Matazaemon Kazuhide Nakano VIII.
Mizkan Americas, Inc. success comes from over 200 years of rich Japanese tradition. There roots go back to 19th century Tokyo, where, in 1804, Mr. Matazaemon Nakano began producing rice vinegar using byproducts from the production of sake (rice alcohol). Little did he know as he sold his vinegar on the streets of Tokyo that he was laying the groundwork for a company that would become the largest vinegar producer in the world A Global Vision Mr. Nakano named his company the Mitsukan Group. In the years that followed, superior products and visionary leadership helped Mitsukan grow and thrive. In the late 1970’s Mitsukan expanded from Japan into the United States and began acquiring regional condiment companies. In 1995, in honor of its Founder, the U.S. arm of the business changed its name to Nakano Foods, Inc. The Next 200 years To represent its growing global presence, in 2004, the Mitsukan Group became The Mizkan Group Corporation and Nakano Foods, Inc became Mizkan Americas, Inc., . Today the Mizkan name is respected throughout the world’s retail, foodservice, and industrial channels for Bringing Flavor to Life with its quality vinegars, seasoned rice vinegars, balsamic vinegars, wine vinegars, mustards, jellies, salad dressings, and authentic Asian sauces.