Company Profile

President and Representative Director Yuichiro Murai

We at Bioc have long been involved with koji mold and other microorganisms through the field of brewing, with our roots in "Kojiya Sanzaemon," which was founded in the Muromachi period(14th century). The innovations in koji technology that we have accumulated are now expanding the possibilities of koji not only in the brewing field but also in many other fields, especially in the food industry.

Currently, we are brushing up our skills based on tradition, aiming to become an even more reliable company, and continuing to take on new and innovative challenges every day.

We hope to continue to expand the possibilities of koji mold and society by making full use of technology created through the accumulation of tradition and daily innovation.

We believe in the infinite possibilities of koji mold. We will contribute to society through koji mold while having fun and struggling together with you to expand these possibilities.

President and Representative Director Yuichiro Murai

Chairman and Representative Director Soichiro Murai

President and Representative Director Yuichiro Murai

Yuichiro Murai was born in 1979 as the eldest son of Soichiro Murai in Toyohashi City, Aichi Prefecture. He graduated from the Faculty of Economics, Keio University in 2002, and from the Faculty of Environment and Information Studie, Keio University in 2004. He also graduated from Thunderbird School of Global Management with a Master's degree in Global Management in 2006. Mr. Murai was appointed as President and Representative Director of Kojiya Sanzaemon Co., Ltd. in 2007, and President and Representative Director of Bio'c Co., Ltd. in 2014. Mr. Murai oversees business at Kojiya Sanzaemon as the 29th Chairman, and currently serves in this position.

Chairman and Representative Director Soichiro Murai

Soichiro Murai was born in 1951 as the eldest son of Toyozo Murai in Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture. He graduated from the Department of Fermentation Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture in 1974. He completed the course at the National Research Institute of Brewing in 1976. He was appointed as President and Representative Director of Kojiya Sanzaemon Co., Ltd. in 1987, appointed as the 28th Chairman of Kojiya Sanzaemon, and appointed as President and Representative Director of Bio'c Co., Ltd., established in 1992. He received a Doctorate in Science at the American College of Nutrition in 1999. He was certified as a Biotope Planner and Builder in 2001, appointed as Top Advisor to Kojiya Sanzaemon Co., Ltd. in 2007, and appointed as Chairman and Representative Director of Bio'c Co., Ltd. in 2014.
Public office: Director of the All Japan Tane-koji(seed koji) Association, Chairman of the Board of Education, Toyohashi City (served for two terms).

Rotary Experience

August 1992:Joined the Rotary Club of Toyohashi
2001 to 2002:Chairman of the Community Service Committee
2002 to 2003SAA
2004 to 2005:Vice Secretary
2005 to 2006:Club Secretary
2010 to 2011:Club President
2011 to 2012:President of the Rotary Foundation
2016 to 2017: SAA

2004 to 2005:Member of the District Internet Committee
2008 to 2010:Member of the District Vocational Service Committee
2010 to 2012:Vice-chairman of the District Vocational Service Committee
2012 to 2014:Vice-chairman of the District Vocational Service Committee
2014 to 2015:Member of the District Vocational Service Committee
2016 to 2017:Member of the Strategic Planning Committee

Recognized as Multiple Paul Harris Fellow, Major Donor, Benefactor, Yoneyama Foundation Distinguished Contributor

Background

1974:Graduated from the Department of Fermentation Science of Tokyo University of Agriculture
1974:Trainee at the National Research Institute of Brewing
1976:Joined Kojiya Sanzaemon Co., Ltd.
1987:President and Representative Director of Kojiya Sanzaemon Co., Ltd.
1991:Succeeded as Chairman (28th) of business at Kojiya Sanzaemon Co., Ltd.
1992:President and Representative Director of Bio'c Co., Ltd. at establishment.
2014:Chairman and Representative Director of Bio'c Co., Ltd.
2014:Chairman and Director of Kojiya Sanzaemon Co., Ltd.

Recognized as Multiple Paul Harris Fellow, Major Donor, Benefactor, Yoneyama Foundation Distinguished Contributor

Company Profile

Kojiya Sanzaemon was the operating business for “Fudasashi Gyo (exchange rice for money) in Kyoto 600 years ago. The company also produced and sold rice koji using the rice it received.

Tane-koji(seed koji) production is said to have been developed as a method to produce fine koji. This company is attributed with discovering the use of ash as previously described, although unfortunately, there are no records of this. However, there is a description of Kojiya Sanzaemon purchasing ash from an exclusive manufacturer for 19 generations. Hence, the fact that Kojiya Sanzaemon manufactured not only rice koji, but also produced Tane-koji(seed koji), likely seems true.

At first, Tane-koji(seed koji) was produced for use in their own household, and distributed to neighbors and relatives for free. But as demand for Tane-koji(seed koji) increased and the development of “hikyaku (express messengers),” distribution extended to Mikawa in the east and Nada in the west.

Company Outline
History

Name	Kojiya Sanzaemon Co., Ltd.
Address	111-1 Uchida Muromachi, Toyohashi-shi, 441-8087
Phone No.	0532-31-92100532-31-9210
Representative	President and Representative Director Yuichiro Murai
Establishment	April 1965 (established in the Muromachi Era(1336-1573) )
Capital	50 million yen
Annual sales	200 million yen
Website	https://kojiyasanzaemon.jp

Muromachi Era	Establsihed in Kyoto (Approx. 600 years ago, traditionally 1394)
1952	Awarded by Kyoto Chamber of Commerce and Industry as the oldest shop within the prefectural industry department
1964	Ranked Yokozuna (champion) among ancient Kyoto established industries, hosted by The Kyoto Shimbun Co.,Ltd.
1965	Separated from Toyozo Murai (third son of the head house in Kyoto), previous president and established independent new company in Toyohashi
1970	Received transfer of trademark rights due to closing of business in Kyoto (head house). (Toyozu Murai becomes the 27th head of the family)
1971	Construction of a new factory on the existing site
1980	Completed the First Phase Clean Factory
1985	Construction of Perfect Clean Factory began
1987	Transfer of president to chairman and managing director to president Soichiro Murai is appointed to the post of President and Representative Director
1990	Achieved four crowns in the Tane-koji(seed koji) industry (For sake, miso, soy sauce, and shochu)
1991	Chairman and Representative Director Toyozo Murai retires, appointed to the post of Honorary President (Murai Soichiro becomes the 28th head of the family)
1995	Honorary President Toyozo Murai receives Special Society Award
2007	Soichiro Murai became a top advisor, and inherits the name Murai Sanzaemon Yuichito Murai is appointed to the post of Representative Director
2016	Yuichiro Murai becomes the 29th head of the family.