Ajinomoto Co., Inc.
2802・Prime Market・Foods
Governance
As a company with a Nominating Committee, Audit Committee, and Compensation Committee, the company has adopted a governance structure in which outside directors serve as chairman of the Board of Directors and chairs of all three statutory committees, with outside directors constituting a majority of the board. Under a clear separation of oversight and execution, the Board of Directors supervises medium- to long-term enhancement of corporate value centered on the "New 7 Key Management Issues."
Risk Management
The Management Risk Committee and the Sustainability Committee work in close coordination to identify and select materiality-based risks and opportunities, which are then proposed to the Management Meeting. Geopolitical risk, information security risk, and similar matters are led by the Management Risk Committee, with each business and group company formulating a BCP (Business Continuity Plan) and full-time Audit Committee members monitoring the framework.
Shareholder Returns
Declared a progressive dividend policy, with a policy of not decreasing dividends and either increasing or maintaining them. Actual results for FY2026 (ending March 2026) were an annual dividend of ¥48 per share (an increase of ¥8 year on year), with a payout ratio of 34.7%. For FY2027 (ending March 2026... wait, ending March 2027), an annual dividend of ¥50 per share (an increase of ¥2) is planned. Share buybacks of ¥130,009 million were carried out during the period. The company targets a total shareholder return ratio of 50% or more over a three-year period.
Dividend Policy
Declares a progressive dividend policy (no dividend cuts; dividends are either increased or maintained). As the standard method for calculating dividends, the company adopts dividends based on normalized EPS (business profit × (1 − standard tax rate of 27%) ÷ total shares issued × payout coefficient of 35%). Dividends are paid twice a year, at the interim and year-end. Actual results for FY2025 (ending March 2025): annual dividend of ¥80 per share (¥40 interim + ¥40 year-end, before the stock split). Actual results for FY2026 (ending March 2026): annual dividend of ¥48 per share (¥24 interim + ¥24 year-end), payout ratio of 34.7%, total dividends of ¥46,372 million. Planned for FY2027 (ending March 2027): annual dividend of ¥50 per share (¥25 interim + ¥25 year-end), with a forecast payout ratio of 39.6%. The company targets a total shareholder return ratio of 50% or more (relative to profit attributable to owners of the parent) over a three-year period. During the current period (FY2026, ending March 2026), share buybacks of ¥130,009 million were carried out.
ESG
The company has set targets to achieve a "50% reduction in environmental impact" and "extend healthy life expectancy for 1 billion people" by 2030, and has obtained SBT initiative net-zero certification (December 2024). It is integrally advancing climate change and biodiversity initiatives (utilizing TNFD's LEAP approach) and human capital initiatives (¥15.0 billion in human capital investment for FY2025, promotion of DE&I), and has received external recognitions such as inclusion in the CDP Climate Change A List, Nadeshiko Brand, and SX Brand.
Last updated: June 12, 2026