Aspiration to become a medical bridge between Vietnam and Japan

10 years ago, Mr. Hoang Dinh Giang, Chairman of Yo Group, came to Japan as a tour guide. Through contacts with Vietnamese tourists visiting the "land of cherry blossoms", this businessman realized that although trade activities between the two countries have been very favorable, there are still many Vietnamese people buying counterfeit goods, fake goods and products of unknown origin bearing Japanese labels, including functional foods - a type of goods that directly affects the health of users.

Yo Group Chairman Hoang Dinh Giang. Photo: Thanh Tung/VNS

In that context, in November 2018, Mr. Giang decided to establish Yo Trading and Service Joint Stock Company (Yo Group), with the desire to bring high-quality functional foods with clear origin from Japan to Vietnam.

After a period of research, this businessman came to Nakanihon Capsule Company - a reputable functional food manufacturer in Japan, with modern technology and production lines, meeting the most stringent standards today such as GMP certificate (certificate of good manufacturing practices issued by the Japan Nutrition and Health Food Association) and ISO 22000 certificate (international food safety management standards for functional food products).

Nakanihon Capsule's strengths are products that help boost immunity such as Fukoidan, functional foods that support weight loss, prevent strokes and reduce bone and joint pain...

Yo Group and Nakanihon Capsule signed a cooperation contract to produce and supply functional foods. Photo: Thanh Tung/VNS

In May 2021, Yo Group signed a cooperation contract to produce and supply functional foods of Nakanihon Capsule in the Vietnamese market. According to this contract, Yo Group will be the distributor of functional foods of Nakanihon Capsule in the Vietnamese market, notably the anti-cancer "assistants" Fucoidan Umino Takaramono and Nano Fucoidan Premium, which have the effect of nourishing and enhancing health, improving the digestive system, enhancing the immune system, eliminating free radicals and preventing the development of viruses.

According to Mr. Toshinori Yamanaka, President of Nakanihon Capsule, Fukoidan is extracted from Mozuku brown algae and Kombu kelp, in which Fukoidan extracted from Mozuku brown algae harvested in Okinawa has very high purity.

Mr. Yamanaka emphasized: “Nakanihon Capsule uses Fukoidan extracted from Okinawa Mozuku brown algae to produce Fukoidan Umino Takaramono. The product does not contain additives or preservatives, so it is highly effective and safe for users.”

Sharing with reporters about the decision to sign a distribution contract for Fukoidan and other functional foods of Nakanihon Capsule in Vietnam, Mr. Hoang Dinh Giang said: “Fukoidan in particular and functional foods in general are products that help take care of human health. Therefore, we consider ensuring safety for users as the most important factor. By signing this contract, we hope that Vietnamese consumers can access products with clear origins. All imported products are announced at the Department of Food Safety and Hygiene of the Ministry of Health , thereby helping consumers feel more secure about the origin and quality of the products.”

Previously, in June 2020, Yo Group signed a cooperation contract to produce powder and tablet products with FI Corporation - another reputable functional food manufacturer based in Gifu Prefecture (Japan).

Product quality inspection at Nakanihon Capsule factory. Photo: Thanh Tung/VNS

Evaluating these steps of Yo Group, Mr. Ta Duc Minh, Vietnam Trade Counselor in Japan, said: "The fact that Yo Group works directly with factories in Japan to import products of clear origin and approved by authorities in Vietnam will help domestic consumers feel more secure, while ensuring consumer safety when using the products."

Meanwhile, Ms. Tran Binh Ha, a Vietnamese who has lived in Japan for nearly 10 years, confided: “When I first came to Japan, I was surprised to see that the elderly were still healthy, alert and working in service industries such as taxi driving. Later, through research, I learned that after every meal, Japanese people use functional foods to supplement the nutrients that they cannot absorb through meals. Therefore, I am very happy that Yo Group officially imports Japanese functional foods to Vietnam so that Vietnamese people can improve their health.”

Regarding upcoming plans, Mr. Giang said that in addition to importing and cooperating in the production of high-quality Japanese functional foods for Vietnam, Yo Group is currently providing stem cell transplant services for Vietnamese people at reputable medical facilities in Japan. "We hope to become a bridge between Vietnam and Japan in the medical field," Mr. Giang affirmed./.

Thu Tra