Japan Tobacco’s human resources department has won an award in the Corporate HR category of the “HR Award 2026” for its “Wellness Advance” initiative, which addresses health issues related to gender differences and supports employee well-being and career development. Introduced in October 2025, the program provides support for menopause symptoms, menstrual issues, and declining fertility, including workplace and financial assistance, management training, and collaboration with occupational health nurses. JT said the initiative has improved health literacy among employees and reduced barriers to seeking advice, medical care, and treatment.
Tag: JTI
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JTI Says Regulatory Gaps Fueling Illicit Trade in Philippines
Japan Tobacco International (JTI) said regulatory and enforcement gaps are contributing to the movement of illicit tobacco across the Philippines’ borders, with criminal networks using maritime routes between Malaysia, Indonesia, and Mindanao. JTI Anti-Illicit Trade Operations Regional Director Valentin Dinca said illicit tobacco originating in China, the United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Cambodia moves through regional transit hubs including Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. In the Philippines, he identified Tawi-Tawi, Sarangani, and Zamboanga as key points for shipments arriving by sea before being redistributed domestically.
JTI Philippines Director for Corporate Affairs and Communications Shaiful Mahpar called on ASEAN governments to align export-control requirements, increase intelligence sharing, and strengthen cross-border enforcement. JTI said a June operation with Philippine authorities led to the seizure of 23 containers of illicit cigarettes valued at about 1.7 billion pesos ($27.5 million). Mahpar said export shipments should comply with the destination market’s requirements, including tax stamps and graphic health warnings, to reduce opportunities for illicit trade.
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Italy’s New Cigarette Prices Take Effect
Beginning today (Sept. 28), Italy implemented another round of tobacco price increases, with updated Customs and Monopolies Agency (ADM) price lists covering about 75 products, including cigarettes, cigarillos, cigars, and fine-cut tobacco, according to La Sicilia. Increases are as much as €0.30 per pack, with several Japan Tobacco International brands affected, including Camel, Winston, and Benson & Hedges. Examples cited by La Sicilia include Camel hard packs at €6.30, Winston at €5.80, and Benson & Hedges Gold at €6.80.
The latest increases follow adjustments in January that affected Philip Morris brands, including Marlboro. The price changes are linked to Italy’s revised tobacco excise structure, which raises the fixed component of the cigarette excise duty from €32 per 1,000 cigarettes in 2026 to €35.50 in 2027 and €38.50 from 2028. Minimum tax charges for fine-cut tobacco and cigarillos are also scheduled to increase through 2028.
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JT to Launch Limited-Edition ‘Seven Star’ Packaging in Japan
Japan Tobacco (JT) said it will launch limited-edition “Black Edition” packaging for four Seven Star cigarette products in Japan, with advance sales beginning Oct. 5 through the CLUB JT online shop. Nationwide sales at convenience stores and tobacco retailers will begin Oct. 19, with the products available in limited quantities.
The four products — Seven Star, Seven Star Box, Seven Star 10 Box, and Seven Star 7 Box — will retain their existing tobacco specifications and retail for ¥600 ($3.78) per pack, including tax. The limited-edition packages feature an all-black matte design with a silver Seven Star logo. JT said Seven Star ranked first in brand sales volume in Japan’s domestic cigarette market as of the end of June 2026.
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JTI Invests $33.6M to Upgrade Factory in Philippines
JT International Asia Manufacturing Corporation (JTI-AMC) said it invested more than PHP2.1 billion ($33.6 million) to upgrade its manufacturing facility in LIMA Estate, Batangas, including PHP1.9 billion ($30.4 million) for a new Dry Ice Expanded Tobacco (DIET) plant and more than PHP177 million ($2.8 million) to expand its controlled atmosphere (CA) treatment facility. The CA facility became operational in July, doubling the site’s treatment capacity.
The Batangas factory is the first JTI manufacturing site in Southeast Asia to use DIET technology. JTI-AMC Factory Lead Philippines Amir Vajdi said the investments reflect the company’s confidence in the Philippines and will support the facility’s manufacturing capabilities and technical expertise.
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Nordic Spirit Named Official Nicotine Pouch Partner of Co-op Live
JTI’s Nordic Spirit has become the Official Nicotine Pouch Partner of Co-op Live, the 23,500-capacity indoor entertainment arena in Manchester, England. Opened in 2024, Co-op Live is the U.K.’s largest indoor live entertainment venue and hosts concerts, sporting events, and comedy shows. Under the long-term partnership, Nordic Spirit will conduct in-venue activations for adult nicotine consumers and sell its nicotine pouches at selected bars throughout the arena. JTI said the partnership was agreed before the introduction of new sponsorship restrictions covering nicotine products.
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Japan Tobacco to Receive $1.6B Dividend from Subsidiary
Japan Tobacco Inc. (JT) announced that it will receive a $1.55 billion (¥252 billion) dividend from its consolidated subsidiary JT International Holding B.V. following a decision by the subsidiary’s board Aug. 24. The dividend was scheduled for receipt Aug. 26 and will be recorded as non-operating income in JT’s nonconsolidated financial statements for fiscal 2026. Because the payment comes from a consolidated subsidiary, JT said it will have no material impact on its consolidated financial results.
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JT Earns Platinum Kurumin Plus Certification
Japan Tobacco Inc. received Japan’s “Platinum Kurumin Plus” certification for workplace initiatives supporting employees who are balancing infertility treatment with work. The certification is awarded by the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare to companies recognized for advanced childcare support and efforts to accommodate infertility treatment.
JT has supported work-family balance through childcare and nursing care programs and workplace improvements. The company received its first Kurumin certification in 2008 and was recognized as a Platinum Kurumin company in 2018.
JT said it has expanded its employee health initiatives to address issues including menstrual symptoms, menopause, fertility, and gender-specific cancers. The latest certification recognizes its efforts to create a workplace where employees can pursue infertility treatment while continuing their careers.
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JTI Calls for ASEAN Action on Illicit Tobacco Trade
Japan Tobacco International’s Philippine unit is calling on ASEAN governments to harmonize export controls and destination-market requirements after illicit tobacco trade was estimated to have cost the region $13.1 billion in revenue over the past two years. JTI Philippines Fiscal and Regulatory Affairs Director Mario Zinampan said illicit trade has become a regional issue requiring coordinated action rather than country-by-country measures.
JTI is proposing an ASEAN declaration on harmonizing rules for high-risk and sensitive goods, covering export integrity, customs cooperation, interoperable track-and-trace systems and intelligence sharing. The company also wants ASEAN countries to strengthen proof-of-export and verification requirements and apply destination-country regulations consistently to reduce smuggling, misdeclaration, undervaluation, counterfeiting and diversion.
Zinampan said inconsistent export requirements across ASEAN create regulatory gaps that illicit traders can exploit. He called for a common “destination principle” requiring products exported within the region to comply with the laws of their destination market, arguing that stronger coordination would help close loopholes and improve cross-border enforcement.
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JTI Backs Philippines’ Market Stabilization Strategy
Japan Tobacco International (JTI) endorsed the NTA’s Strategic Tobacco Production Information Campaign (STRATPIC), which aims to align tobacco production with global demand and discourage oversupply ahead of the 2026-2027 planting season. JTI said the initiative will support the industry’s long-term sustainability by helping farmers avoid market disruptions, while emphasizing that data-driven planning, stakeholder collaboration, and a stable policy environment are essential to protecting farmer livelihoods and encouraging continued investment in the Philippine tobacco sector.