Maruha Nichiro, one of the world’s largest seafood companies, is planning to completely rebrand and become “Umios” in March 2026.
The new name is derived from “Umi,” the Japanese word for the ocean; “one,” which the company said represents its commitment to being one with “stakeholders, society, and the planet;” and “solutions,” because the company is “determined to provide solutions for global social challenges through food.”
In addition to the new name, the company will also have a new logo inspired by the planet earth.
"Its symbolic design portrays Earth as the planet of water, illustrating our profound respect for the ocean, which is the origin of life,” Maruha Nichiro said in a release. “The blue parts of the logo represent the ocean, while the white represents our new areas of expansion.”
The company said it is changing its name in light of global and environmental challenges and its goal of shifting the company’s focus.
“We will transform into a visionary company that provides solutions to promote the health of people and the planet through food, inspired by the ocean to create new values for a brighter future,” the company said. “Our company name was selected to reflect this new identity and make it known to people around the world.”
The company said it plans to work to help tackle a number of global issues like climate change, depletion of natural resources, food insecurity, declining birthrates and aging populations in developed countries, and more.
“We are determined to boldly tackle these issues as a visionary company that provides solutions,” the company said.
The overarching purpose, Maruha Nichiro said, can be summed up by the phrase: “For the ocean, for life.”
The name change announcement came alongside the announcement of a new long-term vision and mid-term management plan for the company, established during a meeting of Maruha Nichiro’s board of directors.
“Building upon our source of strength and foundation of resource procurement capabilities, processing technology, and food product supply capabilities, we aim to expand the 'value cycle' framework in a ‘glocal’ manner, connecting businesses and functions,” Maruha Nichiro said. “Through this, we will create our Group’s unique added value in the form of 'providing sustainable protein' and 'creating health value' over the mid- to long-term, thereby maximizing corporate value.”
Financially, the company is targeting an operating income of JPY 40 billion (USD 265 million, EUR 246 million) for the fiscal year ending in March 2028, with JPY 140 billion (USD 929 million, EUR 961 million) or more in growth investments.
