Initiatives to Maximize ASV by Enhancing Sustainability

Executive Officer

In charge of Sustainability

March 16, 2026

• Sustainability is at the core of our ASV initiatives. Acting together with Group companies and businesses under our Group-wide strategy, we will advance initiatives to accelerate business growth and to create both social and economic value.
• The Ajinomoto Group is working together with stakeholders to solve social issues throughout the value chain while enhancing the resilience of its business foundation.
• To further maximize ASV, we will collaborate with stakeholders in areas beyond the value chain and create a framework for enhancing our financial value, and aim to accelerate business growth and expand business opportunities. I will discuss our related initiatives and report on what we did at COP30.

  Our Path Toward Achieving ASV Maximization

  
  
  By reducing negative impact and expanding positive impact through our business, we will increase the resilience of our business foundation and create opportunities for growth, thereby maximizing ASV. This uniquely Ajinomoto approach draws on our strength in "AminoScience."

  Increase

  the resilience of our business foundation

  Create opportunities

  for growth

  Time

The six Material Themes being addressed by the Ajinomoto Group

Achievement of a sustainable global environment

Achievement of well-being through food

Contribution to advanced medicine and prevention

ASV maximization

Economic

value

Social value

Risks and

Contribution to the evolution of a Smart Society

opportunities

Respect for diverse values and human rights

Reinforcement of our management foundation

Strengthen intangible assets

We are steadily advancing initiatives to reduce negative impact arising from our business and to create positive impact on society. Today, I will explain our initiatives to create positive impact.

Six Material Themes

Focus Areas

Initiatives

Climate change

Mitigation and adaptation

1. Achievement of a sustainable

global environment

Natural capital

Biodiversity conservation

Prevention of deforestation Conservation of water resources Sustainable procurement

Circular economy

Zero waste emissions

Plastic waste reduction

Food loss and waste reduction

2. Achievement of well-being

through food

Health and nutrition

Solving health and nutrition challenges

through food

1. Contribution to advanced

   medicine and prevention

   
   
   
   
   

2. Contribution to the evolution of a

   Health and nutrition Evolution of treatment and prevention

   Advancement of semiconductors

   Smart Society Advanced semiconductor package

   through materials provision and

   ecosystem creation

   
   
   
   
   

3. Respect for diverse values and

   human rights

   Human rights Responsible employment

4. Reinforcement of our management foundation

   Human capital

   
   
   

   Changes in the business environment

   Human resource investment Strengthening resilience

   Initiatives to Create Positive Impact
   
   
   • Value creation initiatives in the value chain
     • Raw materials, procurement (upstream)
     • Production, sales, logistics (midstream)
     • Consumers (downstream)
   • Further value creation initiatives in areas beyond the value chain
   Ajinomoto Group's Approach to the Entire Value Chain
   
   

   By providing solutions based on "AminoScience" and collaborating with stakeholders, we are solving diverse social issues and creating value throughout the value chain, from the production of raw materials upstream to the diets of consumers downstream.

   
   
   

   Raw materials, procurement (upstream)

   Production, sales, logistics (midstream)

   Consumers (downstream)

   Social issues

• Strengthening of

  farmers' management capabilities

• Sustainable and

  stable production and procurement

  • Reduction of environmental impact

    in production and logistics

• Sustainable use of

  resources

  • Human health and nutrition (lifestyle-related diseases, undernourishment, etc.)

    • Food safety and security

      We are creating diverse value throughout the value chain-upstream, midstream, and downstream.

      Value Creation Initiatives in Raw Materials and Procurement (Upstream)
      
      

      In our initiatives aimed at upstream processes, we are building capacity, providing biostimulant* products, and agricultural technical support to address social issues, such as the strengthening of farmers' management capabilities and stable production of crops.

      * Agricultural materials that blend amino acids and other ingredients derived from fermentation microorganisms with natural extracts and other natural materials to promote plants' innate immunity and growth.

      
      
      

      Raw materials, procurement (upstream)

      Production, sales, logistics (midstream)

      Consumers (downstream)

      Social issues

• Strengthening of

  farmers' management capabilities

• Sustainable and

  stable production and procurement

  • Reduction of environmental impact

    in production and logistics

• Sustainable use of

resources

We are creating diverse value throughout the value chain-upstream, midstream, and downstream.

In Thailand, we are providing 500 farmers with cassava mosaic disease-free seed stalks, together with education and training programs. Yield has increased by over 30%. This is contributing to farmers' autonomy and economic development while increasing the resilience of our business foundation.

Stabilization of farmers' income and invigoration of local economies

Sustainable and stable raw material procurement

We are the No. 1

consumer of tapioca starch by volume in

Issues facing Thai

Thailand1

farmers

Decreased yields due to cassava mosaic disease

Decreased yields, unstable income

Chemical fertilizer use (production GHGs)

Aging of farmers Lack of successors

Insufficient knowledge of cultivation

Soil degradation, water shortages

"Thai Farmer Better Life Partner Project"

Our solutions × ecosystems

1. Tapioca starch is powdered cassava. Of the approximately 5 million tons of tapioca starch produced in Thailand, about 1 million tons are consumed in Thailand. We purchase about 20% of that volume as raw material for MSG, etc.

2. Public-private partnerships with government agencies, research institutions, and universities

In Vietnam, too, we provide a proprietary cultivation package that combines technical guidance on topics such as disease-resistant new varieties, co-product* fertilizers, and soil preparation. This has roughly

doubled cassava yield.

* Co-products of amino acid production processes

Our liquid fertilizer utilizing co-products

Demonstration project for regenerative agriculture in cassava cultivation in Vietnam

The project was selected for the Global South Future-Oriented Co-Creation Project Subsidy (Small-Scale Demonstration) program of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry

Results of selection of indirect subsidy projects related to the "Global South Future-Oriented Co-Creation Project Subsidy (Small-scale Demonstration/FS Project: Secondary Public Offering)" (METI / Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry)

タイ

ベトナ ム当社平均

タイ

ベトナ ム当社平均

Recognition rate and favorability toward our brand

Recognition rate

Favorability1

Thailand

85%

89%

Thailand

Vietnam Vietnam

Global

87%

85%

82%

0

20

40

60

63%

80

Global

100 (%)

0

20

40

60

80

100 (%)

1 Favorability: "Very favorable" and "Somewhat favorable" responses to the

question "How good a feeling do you have of the food producers/brands below?" asked of people who recognize our brand.

Our brand recognition rate and favorability are both nearly 90% in Thailand and Vietnam. We think that initiatives, such as support for farmers, contribute to the enhancement of our brand power.

Correlation between recognition rate and favorability2 of our initiatives

Average:

Favorability (among people who recognize our brand)

33％ Reduced salt

2 Favorability: "My favorability increases very much" and "My favorability increases somewhat" responses to the question "Does knowing that the Ajinomoto Group engages in the activities below change your favorability toward our corporate brand?"

Support for farmers

GHG reduction through AjiPro®-L

School lunch

project

project

Average: 82％

• Overall awareness of the Company's "farmer support" initiatives is low.

• Awareness is associated with a more favorable perception of the Company.

• Thailand and Vietnam show higher awareness compared with other regions.

Recognition rate of our initiatives

Sources: Research by Ajinomoto Group (2025)

Online survey of ordinary male and female consumers aged 20-69 (n=500 in each country)

Taking advantage of our global network, we are also deploying initiatives widely that lead to increased yields and reduced GHG emissions, and results are steadily expanding. These initiatives include regenerative agriculture and the use of our biostimulant products for a wide-range of raw materials and crops.

Cassava

Thailand

Sugar cane

(implementation phase)

(in trials)

Japan

Paddy rice

(implementation phase)

Brazil

Coffee

(implementation phase)

Indonesia

Sugar cane

Vietnam

Cassava

Coffee

(in trials)

(implementation phase)

(implementation phase)

In our initiatives aimed at midstream processes, we are reducing environmental impact through initiatives such as joint transport with other companies, and sustainable use of resources.

Raw materials, procurement (upstream)

• Strengthening of

  farmers' management capabilities

• Sustainable and

  stable production and procurement

  Production, sales, logistics (midstream)

  
  
  

  • Reduction of environmental impact

    in production and logistics

• Sustainable use of

resources

Consumers (downstream)

• Human health and nutrition (lifestyle-related diseases, undernourishment, etc.)

  • Food safety and security

    We are creating diverse value throughout the value chain-upstream, midstream, and downstream.

    Joint Transport and Other Initiatives

    Production, sales,

    logistics (midstream)

Japan

Overseas

In Japan, we are reducing environmental impact, improving logistics efficiency, and addressing shortages of transport personnel through joint transport with other companies. We are deploying such initiatives overseas, too, to achieve both sustainable logistics and reduced costs.

Establish sustainable logistics systems involving other companies, and reduce costs.

1. House Foods Group Inc., Kagome Co., Ltd., Nisshin Seifun Welna Inc., Nisshin Oillio Group, Ltd., Mizkan Co., Ltd., and Ajinomoto Co., Inc.

2. A method of combining multiple means of transport, such as trucks, railways, and ships, for optimal transport

In our initiatives for consumers, we provide products that combine deliciousness with health and nutrition for all, from healthy people to those dealing with lifestyle diseases, undernourishment, and other health and nutritional issues.

Raw materials, procurement (upstream)

Production, sales, logistics (midstream)

Consumers (downstream)

• • Strengthening of

    farmers' management capabilities

  • Sustainable and

    stable production and procurement

    • Reduction of environmental impact

      in production and logistics

  • Sustainable use of

    resources

• Human health and nutrition (lifestyle-related diseases, undernourishment, etc.)

  • Food safety and security

We are creating diverse value throughout the value chain-upstream, midstream, and downstream.

Healthy (prevention)

Pre-symptomatic

Illness (treatment)

Post-treatment

Through wide-ranging solutions based on "AminoScience," we contribute to solving issues in diverse phases of health, from prevention to post-treatment.

Issues

Lack of exercise, disturbance of lifestyle rhythm

Importance of health not readily recognized

Gap between test results and self-reported symptoms

Non-continuation of behavior modification

Mental, physical, and economic burdens from treatment

Decrease in QOL

Disconnection from dietary habits

Recovery of physical strength and nutritional condition

Self-care and support

Risk of recurrence and aggravation

Approaches to issues of people in every health phase

Products/Services × Partnerships = Solutions

• Foods that

support everyday diet

• Learn the body's state through

  amino acids

• Medical foods that supplement nutrition for specific diseases and nutritional conditions

• Dietary

supplements, etc.

• CDMO services for pharmaceutical

intermediates and APIs, amino acids for pharmaceuticals and foods, etc.

etc.

Healthy (prevention)

Pre-symptomatic

Illness (treatment)

Post-treatment

WHO

Excessive intake of salt, sugar, and fat is seen as a health risk factor. Under recommendations by WHO, countries are undertaking policies to control intake.

UK: Restrictions on advertisement of high-fat,

-sugar, or -salt (HFSS) foods and beverages Mexico: Government prohibition on sale in schools of snacks and other foods with warning labels

•

•

• Taxation of snack foods, instant noodles, etc.,

based on salt content

• Restriction of trans fats and high-fat

products

• Taxation of sweetened beverages by

about 120 countries*

• Thailand: 1-5 THB/L tax based on sugar content

• Philippines: 12 PHP/L tax on beverages containing high fructose corn syrup

*(as of July 2024)

• Thailand is considering introduction

of a salt tax

Trans fats increase the risk of

cardiovascular disease, etc.

⇒ Recommendation to reduce trans fats to under 1% of total energy intake, plus replacement with healthier fats

Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs)

increase the risk of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs)

⇒ Requests to countries for strengthened taxation for health purposes

Excessive intake of sodium increases risk of

high blood pressure

⇒ Adult daily recommended salt intake: under 5 g

(average salt intake worldwide: 10.78 g)

Fat

Sugar

Salt

Countries' actions

Sources: Global report on the use of sugar-sweetened beverage taxes, 2025(WHO Global report on the use of sugar-sweetened beverage taxes 2025) Implementation of Final Phase of Sugar-Based Excise Tax under Thai Excise Law - BANGKOK GLOBAL LAW

Thailand to introduce "Salt Tax" with tiered rates, driving health food market boom (The Nation's Editorial May 16, 2025) https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/trans-fat (WHO, 2024)

In the BtoB and BtoC fields, we provide a wealth of products and solutions that address excessive intake of salt, sugar, and fat. We are solving issues and growing our business with our initiatives and products, which are reduced salt, sugar, and fat, while also having deliciousness, beginning with our AJI-NO-MOTO® umami seasoning.

We offer 56 reduced-salt products across 25 brands in 9 countries

(as of April 2025)

Solutions utilizing the strengths of "AminoScience"

Umami

seasonings

Reduced-sugar

products

Reduced-salt

products

Reduced-fat

products

Revised (reduced-salt)

recipes for our regular products

We also engage in

initiatives to promote "delicious salt reduction"

In addition to initiatives to reduce salt, sugar, and fat, we promote the appropriate intake of protein, vegetables, and fruits to help extend the healthy life expectancy of 1 billion people, which is the outcome we herald. In FY2024, we created touchpoints for deliciousness and health with 950 million people.

Number of people to whom we provide umami seasonings:

590 million

Number of people to whom we provide reduced-salt products or products that aid protein intake:

360 million

+ =

(FY2024)

From FY2025, we have been using new nutrition-related targets and KPIs through FY2030, and have revised the appropriate nutritional assessment indicators for our products and menus. We developed ANPS-Meal as a means of scientifically assessing nutritional value of meals. We were the first Japanese company to introduce a nutrient profiling system (NPS) for meals.

Under Indonesia's Free Nutritious Meal Program, a government-led initiative to provide free meals*, we provide support meal planning and nutrition education that balance nutrition with cost, using our products. We are also leveraging our local sales network to solve social issues and grow our business.

PT Ajinomoto Indonesia

School meal centers Schools in

Indonesia

* Plans to invest about 335 trillion rupiah (about 3.1 trillion yen), about 10% of the national budget, in FY2026 under the Makan Bergizi Gratis (Free Nutritious Meal Program).

Fusion of Medicine and Foods-Creation of a Food Environment for Healthy Diets

In the medical field, we are offering AI-based recipe and meal-planning support services attuned to the issues of both patients and healthcare professionals. By creating a platform that connects to the provision of our products and services, and through unique integrated solutions that combine medicine and foods, we will contribute to solving issues while expanding business opportunities.

Referrals

Nutrition and dietary guidance for patients

EC sites

Selection of

suitable foods

Retailers

Combinations suited to recipe (meal planning)

ReTabell service

Proposing nutritionally balanced meals for the medical field

Patients experiencing eating problems

Dietary consultation

Healthcare professionals

Recipe search based on eating problems, such as lack of appetite or difficulty chewing

Meal plan proposals that allow patients and family members to eat together

People with a cold or other illness, or have declining health

Dietary guidance

Physicians

Nutrition and dietary guidance

Partnering on portal with DX

Expanded access to food

Assistance with menu plan proposals and nutrition management

Post-surgery patients

Families

Chemotherapy patients

Registered dietician