A country much loved by Doctor Dick, Virbac has been distributing its products in Japan, a major market (1881.31 million USD in 2020 and 3014.14 million USD forecast by 2026^*), since the mid-70s. In 1982, after opening the doors to Asia with a first office in Taiwan, Virbac took a close interest in the Japanese market and formed a partnership with Maruyasu, an import-export company specializing in chemical products. Ten years later, in 1992, under the impetus of Thierry Gozlan, Virbac Japan was created in association with Maruyasu, which four years later became a 100% subsidiary of Virbac.

Due to a very closed and strictly regulated market, Virbac Japan's portfolio was relatively narrow at the outset, with mainly the distribution of unregulated products. The first ten years were not easy. The arrival of Yasunao Niimi in 2003 enabled our subsidiary to take off and become, 5 years later, one of the leaders in the Japanese companion animal market, first in dermatology and then in dentistry. It was also under his leadership that we entered the pet food market with the first Virbac veterinary profit-sharing model, widely used in other subsidiaries today.

Today, with 49 employees at their side, Japanese veterinarians have an expert team and a broad product portfolio to support them in their mission.

Because of the pandemic, the subsidiary's anniversary could not be organized last year. The celebration was all the more enjoyable for the pleasure of meeting up and sharing a convivial moment together. 

In keeping with tradition, the guests first went to the Meiji Shrine to ask for Virbac's prosperity. They then met at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo.

During the evening, Sébastien Huron (Group Managing Director), who was unable to attend, expressed his gratitude in a video message. Warm speeches were also given by Pierre Contat (Apisa Area Director), Sophie Favini (Director of Worldwide Sales Operations) and Yasunao Niimi (General Manager of Virbac Japan).

During the ceremony, the subsidiary received a gift of a sculpture representing two horses in full race - a nice parallel with Virbac Japan's progress in the animal health market, particularly in the field of reproduction, where it is aiming for leadership!

^{*Source: Mordor Intelligence}