Shiseido, dating from its first western-style Tokyo-Ginza boutique in 1872, is the leading cosmetics group in Japan, and a leading manufacturer worldwide. Shiseido produces makeup and skin care products for men and women, toiletries, professional salon hair care products, pharmaceuticals, and fine chemicals. Other interests include the Ginza chain of fashion boutiques, specialty fragrance, hair, and skin care salons, and the Shiseido Parlour restaurants and food shops. Shiseido sells its products in about 60 countries, and is increasing market share successfully in North America, South America and Asia.

The name Shiseido derives from a Chinese expression meaning "praise the virtues of the great Earth, which nurtures new life and brings forth new values." In line with this expression, our founding spirit of "serving our customers and contributing to society by integrating all things on Earth to create new value," lives on in our corporate mission of "identifying new, richer sources of value to create beauty in daily lives and culture." This policy has led to high-value-added products and services in the cosmetics and other businesses promoting people's beauty and well-being.