Business Overview

Business and Performance Overview (Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2024)

During the current fiscal year (January 1 to December 31, 2024), the economic environment in Japan saw a gradual recovery due to improvements in the income environment, although inflation caused personal consumption to stall. Overseas, the outlook for the global economy remains uncertain due to factors such as the protracted situation in Ukraine, continued inflation in Europe and the U.S., and the impact of the prolonged slowdown in the Chinese economy.

In this economic environment, the Group benefited from continued firmness in the Japanese market for writing instruments. However, as in the previous fiscal year, demand remained weak in some major overseas markets. Meanwhile, personnel, depreciation, and other expenses increased as we stepped up investments for the future to achieve sustainable growth toward our “2030 Vision.” As a result, consolidated net sales for the fiscal year totaled 126,168 million yen, up 6.4% year on year (YoY). Net sales in the Japanese market came to 30,312 million yen, up 4.8% YoY. Net sales in overseas markets were 95,855 million yen, up 6.9% YoY. Looking at sales by business based on our medium-term management plan, net sales in the writing instruments business stood at 113,003 million yen, up 6.3% YoY. Net sales in the non-writing instruments business came to 13,165 million yen, up 6.9% YoY. In terms of profit, the Group recorded operating profit of 17,805 million yen, down 6.3% YoY, and ordinary profit of 20,110 million yen, down 3.5% YoY.
Profit attributable to owners of parent stood at 15,181 million yen, up 11.1% YoY.

Japan

In the stationery business, sales of mechanical pencils such as S20, which are crafted from high-quality wood, and Dr. GRIP classic were strong in Japan. Moreover, the Kakuno fountain pen has garnered support from new users with the release of new dreamy “Madoromi” colors. In addition, our new highlighter pen, KIRE-NA, has gotten off to a very good start, receiving high praise from users for its pen tip structure that prevents writing from smudging.

Mark’s Group Holdings, Inc., which designs and manufactures stationery such as diaries and notebooks and which joined the Group in the previous fiscal year, also contributed to sales. Export sales have decreased due to prolonged inventory adjustments in some countries such as Saudi Arabia.

In the toys business, sales increased as the Mellchan doll and bath toys series, our mainstay products, performed well.

In the industrial materials and other businesses, sales increased thanks to the contribution of Mark’s products, although sales of ceramics products, the mainstay of the industrial materials business, continued to decline as the semiconductor market is still recovering. Meanwhile, sales in the jewelry business were strong due to increased trading volume.

As a result, sales and profit increased.

The Americas

In the U.S. market, our mainstay product G-2 continued to hold the top share in the gel ink pen market and remained strong. In addition, sales grew mainly on the strength of V Board Master whiteboard markers in the Brazilian market. The impact of the yen’s depreciation also contributed to the increase in sales and profit.

Europe

In Europe, sales and profit increased although personal consumption has yet to fully recover. Sales of the FRIXION series, our core products in the European market, have recovered, and the yen’s depreciation also contributed.

Asia

We were heavily affected by the prolonged economic weakness in China. However, gel ink pens P-500/700, our mainstay products in the Chinese market, performed well. The impact of the yen’s depreciation also contributed to an increase in sales.

Meanwhile, segment operating profit decreased on higher SG&A expenses such as personnel and advertising expenses.

Products (Japanese language only)