Kadoya Sesame Mills, established in 1858, is transitioning to private ownership through a tender offer from Integral, a Japanese private equity firm. This decision comes as the company grapples with escalating raw material costs and geopolitical uncertainties.
The broader context reveals that Japan's long-standing businesses are under significant pressure, with a record number of bankruptcies occurring among companies over 100 years old, totaling 112 in the first eight months of 2026, according to Teikoku Databank.
Experts highlight that rising costs and labor shortages are particularly challenging for smaller, domestically focused firms, which struggle to pass on increased expenses to consumers. Bankruptcies related to higher prices surged by 23.8% in the first half of 2026, while those linked to labor shortages rose by 12.4%.
Additionally, succession issues are becoming critical, with bankruptcies due to a lack of successors increasing by 16.9%. The combination of these factors, including a declining birth rate and an aging population, is reshaping the landscape for Japan's traditional businesses, prompting many to reassess their future strategies