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Tag: Japan Tobacco

  • Japan, JTI Respond to Russian Seizure

    Japan, JTI Respond to Russian Seizure

    After Russian President Vladimir Putin placed Japan Tobacco International (JTI) assets under temporary administration, the Japanese government formally protested to Moscow and demanded the immediate withdrawal of the measure. Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said Japan sent senior government officials to Moscow, where they joined the Japanese ambassador in protesting the takeover of four Japan Tobacco manufacturing subsidiaries. Kihara said the government wants to ensure that the legitimate interests of Japanese nationals and businesses are protected. Economy and Trade Minister Ryosei Akazawa said Japan would continue communicating with Russia to protect Japanese companies’ assets, while Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama said her ministry would coordinate with relevant government agencies and Japan Tobacco.

    Japan Tobacco issued the following statement:

    “The JT Group has continued its business operations in Russia in compliance with all applicable regulations and sanctions. However, we can confirm that, pursuant to a Russian presidential decree signed on November 5, among our entities in Russia, four manufacturing entities have been placed under temporary administration.

    “The JT Group is currently gathering further information regarding this matter, considering the options available to the Group, and assessing the potential impact on the Group.”

  • Putin Seizes Control of JTI’s Russian Operations

    Putin Seizes Control of JTI’s Russian Operations

    Russian President Vladimir Putin placed the Russian assets of Japan Tobacco International (JTI) under temporary administration, transferring control of its stakes in four local businesses to Russian company Industrial Assets. The Nov. 5 decree did not provide a reason for the move. JTI, part of Japan Tobacco Inc., is Russia’s largest tobacco manufacturer by sales volume. The company did not immediately comment.

    The move follows similar actions against foreign companies, including Nestlé, Metro AG, and Auchan, whose Russian assets were placed under temporary management in September. Moscow has increasingly used the measures against companies from countries it considers unfriendly because of sanctions imposed over the war in Ukraine. The decision also comes amid deteriorating relations between Russia and Japan, including Russia’s recent detention of a Japanese journalist on espionage allegations, which Tokyo has denied.

  • JTI Philippines Names Alan Jackson General Manager

    JTI Philippines Names Alan Jackson General Manager

    JTI Philippines appointed Alan Jackson as general manager, where he will oversee the company’s portfolio that includes Winston, Camel, Mevius, LD, Mighty, Nordic Spirit nicotine pouches, and Ploom Aura heated tobacco products. Jackson joined JTI in 2007 and has held leadership positions across several regions, including general manager roles in Tanzania and Canada and vice president of marketing and sales for JTI’s South Asia region.

    JTI Philippines said Jackson will focus on business growth, product innovation, and efforts to combat illicit tobacco trade through cooperation with government and industry stakeholders. The company began operations in the Philippines in 2000 and operates a market office and global services center in Taguig City, a manufacturing facility in Malvar, Batangas, and nearly 40 branch offices nationwide. It employs about 5,500 people.

  • JT to Expand Nordic Spirit Retail Availability in Japan

    JT to Expand Nordic Spirit Retail Availability in Japan

    Japan Tobacco (JT) said it will launch Nordic Spirit Rich Melon Medium nicotine pouches at select tobacco retailers in Japan on Nov. 2. The company will also expand retail availability of three varieties previously sold through its CLUB JT online shop: Cool Mint X-Strong, Sweet Mint Medium, and Sweet Mint Strong.

    Rich Melon Medium features a melon flavor and medium stimulation. Nordic Spirit pouches are manufactured in Sweden and are designed for oral use without combustion.

  • Japan Tobacco to Announce Third-Quarter Results Oct. 29

    Japan Tobacco to Announce Third-Quarter Results Oct. 29

    Japan Tobacco Inc. will announce its fiscal 2026 third-quarter financial results on Oct. 29 at 3:30 p.m. Japan time. The company will distribute results materials to the press by email and will not hold a press conference.

    JT will hold an investor briefing via Zoom from 5 to 6 p.m. Japan time on Oct. 29. Members of the press may attend but are asked not to speak during the question-and-answer session. Advance registration is required through the Zoom webinar registration page. An on-demand recording will be available through JT’s webcast page.

  • JT Group’s Habee App Wins 2026 Good Design Award

    JT Group’s Habee App Wins 2026 Good Design Award

    Japan Tobacco (JT) Group’s habit-building smartphone app Habee has received the 2026 Good Design Award from the Japan Institute of Design Promotion. The app is part of JT Group’s Momentia digital platform and is the second consecutive year a Momentia ID-compatible app has won the award, following the mental wellness app beSelf in 2025.

    Habee uses team-based challenges, daily progress tracking, photos, comments, and peer support to encourage users to develop habits and achieve goals. The award recognized its intuitive interface and design intended to help users maintain habits. JT Group said Momentia also includes digital services and online shopping, with a shared ID for eligible services. A registration campaign tied to the award is scheduled to run through Nov. 22.

  • JTI Expands Oral Nicotine Portfolio With PERLZ

    JTI Expands Oral Nicotine Portfolio With PERLZ

    Japan Tobacco International has expanded its alternative-nicotine portfolio in the United Kingdom with PERLZ, a dissolvable oral nicotine product available in Mint and Berry flavors and in two nicotine strengths. The product adds another format alongside conventional nicotine pouches as tobacco companies expand their offerings beyond combustible cigarettes.

    The launch adds to JTI’s broader investment in alternative nicotine products and its efforts to develop new categories for adult nicotine consumers. PERLZ also expands the range of oral nicotine formats competing for shelf space in the U.K. market.

  • JTI to Increase Heated-Tobacco Investment by 60%

    JTI to Increase Heated-Tobacco Investment by 60%

    Japan Tobacco International plans to invest ¥800 billion (about €4.5 billion) in heated-tobacco products from 2026 through 2028, a 60% increase over the previous three-year period, according to Spanish business newspaper Cinco Días. The investment is intended to expand the company’s Ploom brand and strengthen its position against Philip Morris International’s IQOS.

    JTI is targeting an average 15% market share across the 29 markets where Ploom operates, with Poland and Italy among its priorities. The investment comes as major tobacco companies expand smoke-free product portfolios and compete for share in heated-tobacco markets.

  • Russia Attacks JTI Subsidiary in Ukraine

    Russia Attacks JTI Subsidiary in Ukraine

    Russia’s Defense Ministry said it struck a subsidiary of Japan Tobacco International (JTI) in Ukraine’s Poltava region as part of an attack on Ukrainian defense industry enterprises, port infrastructure, and vessels. Russia alleged the JTI facility was producing ammunition for Ukrainian forces. JTI denied the allegation, saying it manufactures and sells tobacco products and has never been involved in military production.

    JTI said the factory had been struck several times and that operations were suspended before the latest attacks. The company said all employees were safe. The Japanese Embassy in Ukraine said it had no information indicating that any Japanese nationals were affected by the latest attack.

  • Japan’s Heated Tobacco Market Reaches New Milestone

    Japan’s Heated Tobacco Market Reaches New Milestone

    Heated tobacco and other noncombustible products accounted for a larger share of Japan’s tobacco sales than cigarettes in 2025, marking a significant shift in the country’s market, according to Toyo Keizai. Philip Morris International’s IQOS leads the heated tobacco category with about 70% market share, followed by Japan Tobacco’s Ploom at 16.4% and British American Tobacco’s glo at 14.3%, based on Euromonitor data cited by the publication.

    According to the article, Japan’s Oct. 1 tax changes narrowed the price gap between cigarettes and heated tobacco, while potentially tighter regulation could create additional challenges. BAT and PMI have also entered Japan’s nicotine-pouch market, with JT following this year.