Since our beginning in 1867 producing wheat starch and gluten in Isshiki-cho, Hazu-gun, Aichi Prefecture, Japan Cornstarch has continued to advance as a dedicated starch manufacturer. In 1955, we succeeded in developing and industrlalizing our own original cornstarch manufacturing technology.

History

1867
Karoku Kurachi (founder) established a business producing wheat starches in Isshiki-cho, Hazu-gun, Aichi Prefecture.

1882
Sadakichi Kurachi (second generation) took over the business.

1916
Tomojiro Kurachi (third generation) took over the business.

1948
Joint-stock company Kurachi Starch Chemical Industries was established.
Capital 2,000,000 yen

1955
Succeeded in commercializing the production of cornstarch using original technologies developed by our company, and began production of cornstarch.

1962
Founded the Japan Cornstarch Corporation.
Capital: 5,500,000 yen. Opened the Osaka Sales Office (now the Osaka Branch).

1969
Established Central Japan Grain Center Co., Ltd. for the unloading and storage of imported materials.
Japan Cornstarch president Hideo Kurachi became president of this company.
Capital: 100,000,000 yen

1974
The cornstarch plant and the Miwa Nosan Kako sweetener plant at the Kinuura food product complex were completed and began operating.

1975
Started production of modified cornstarch.

1981
Japan Cornstarch president Hideo Kurachi became vice chairman of the Nihon Glycation Industry Association.

1985
Japan Cornstarch president Hideo Kurachi was awarded the spring Medal with Blue Ribbon in recognition of his leadership in the cornstarch manufacturing industry and his contributions to development of the industry over many years in the key positions he had occupied in related organizations.

1989
Japan Cornstarch president Hideo Kurachi became chairman of the Nihon Starch Sweetener Industry Association.
Acquired capital in Tapioca Development Corporation, Ltd.

1990
Expanded the cornstarch production facilities and modified starch production facilities.

1993
Established Evercorn, Inc. in Michigan, USA.
Began business of biodegradable plastics using starch as the main ingredient.

1994
Japan Cornstarch president Hideo Kurachi became director of the Root and Tuber Promotion Council.

1995
Japan Cornstarch president Hideo Kurachi was awarded the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold and Silver Rays.
Received the Food Industry Distinguished Service Award from Japan Food Journal.

1997
Received the Award for TPM Excellence, Category 2.

1999
Acquired ISO 9002 certification.

2000
Acquired ISO 14001 certification.

2002
Acquired ISO 9001 certification.

2004
Hideo Kurachi became chairman, and Soichiro Kurachi became the fifth-generation president.

2005
Relocated the head office to Akasaka Inter City, Minato-ku, Tokyo.

2006
Our sweetener product received the International High Quality Trophy at Monde Selection.

2007
Japan Cornstarch yellow cornstarch became the first in the world to receive the Gold Quality Award.

2008
Acquired certification as an Aichi Prefecture HACCP facility.
Acquired a license for the production of pharmaceuticals.

2009
Our white corn starch received the Monde Selection Gold Quality Award, and our sweetener product received the Gold Quality Award for the 5th consecutive year.
Our high-fructose corn syrup became our first such product in the world to receive the Monde Selection Gold Quality Award.
Our yellow corn starch received the Gold Quality Award for the third consecutive year, earning it the International High Quality Trophy, and our sweetener product received the Gold Quality Award for the 6th consecutive year.
Started sales of Best Remover, an asbestos dust dispersion control agent.
Our high-fructose corn syrup received an award for excellence in food product materials from Japan Food Journal.