Core Insights - The four major Japanese cosmetics companies, Shiseido, Kao, POLA, and Kose, have reported mixed results for the first half of the year, with Kao and Kose showing sales growth while Shiseido and POLA experienced declines [1][2] - The Japanese domestic market remains a crucial pillar for these companies, but they collectively face challenges in overseas markets, prompting a shift towards high-end strategies [1][3] Sales Performance - Kao's sales reached 809 billion yen, a 2.7% increase year-on-year; Kose's sales were 160.5 billion yen, up 0.9%; Shiseido's net sales fell to 469.831 billion yen, down 7.6%; POLA's sales decreased to 83.253 billion yen, down 0.7% [2] - In terms of operating profit, Kao reported 69.5 billion yen, a 19.9% increase; Shiseido's operating profit was 23.372 billion yen, up 21.3%; POLA's profit was 8.217 billion yen, a 12.3% increase; Kose's profit fell to 11.3 billion yen, down 17.7% [2] Domestic Market Focus - The Japanese market has been a stronghold for these companies, with Kose's sales in Japan growing by 6% year-on-year, and Kao attributing its growth to competitive product launches [3] - Shiseido's performance is also credited to structural reforms in the domestic market, which helped offset declines in other regions [3] Overseas Market Challenges - All four companies faced difficulties in overseas markets, with Kose's North American sales down 8.6% and Chinese sales down 3.4%; Kao noted weak growth in overseas markets [3] - POLA highlighted adverse impacts from certain Asian regions, particularly China, affecting overall overseas performance [3] Brand Perception and Competition - Japanese cosmetics brands have seen a decline in visibility among consumers, with no brands from these companies making it to the top 20 beauty brands on Douyin in recent years [4] - The rise of domestic brands has intensified competition, with local brands gaining significant market share [5] High-End Strategy - In response to stagnant domestic growth, these companies are focusing on expanding overseas markets, with high-end positioning as a key strategy [6] - Shiseido's sales from the Japanese market account for about 30%, while Kose and POLA exceed 50%, indicating limited growth potential in the domestic market [6] Future Plans - Companies are implementing strategies to enhance their overseas presence, with POLA's mid-term plan emphasizing overseas business development and Kose's "Milestone 2030" focusing on investment and structural reforms [6][7] - High-end branding is central to their strategies, with Kao planning to develop six major brands and Shiseido focusing on its "Core3" and "Next5" high-end brands [7] Innovation and R&D - The global beauty market is increasingly competitive, with a focus on high-end products requiring significant R&D investment [8] - Companies like Shiseido and Kao are investing in innovation to attract younger consumers and adapt to changing market dynamics [8]

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the articles highlights the mixed performance of Japan's four major cosmetics companies—Shiseido, Kao, POLA, and Kose—in their financial results for the first half of 2025, with varying sales growth and profitability trends [2][3][4] - Kao and Kose reported sales growth, with Kao's sales increasing by 2.7% to 809 billion yen and Kose's sales rising by 0.9% to 160.5 billion yen, while Shiseido and POLA experienced sales declines of 7.6% and 0.7%, respectively [3][4] - Kose was noted as the only company among the four to see a decline in operating profit, which fell by 17.7% to 113 billion yen, while Kao, Shiseido, and POLA reported increases in operating profit [3][4] Group 2 - The domestic Japanese market has been a crucial pillar for the performance of these companies, with Kose's sales in Japan growing by 6% and Kao attributing its growth to competitive product launches [4][6] - In contrast, the overseas markets have shown weakness, with Kose's North American sales declining by 8.6% and sales in China dropping by 3.4% [4][5] - The nuclear wastewater incident has been identified as a significant factor affecting the international market presence of Japanese cosmetics brands, leading to consumer resistance and declining sales [5][6] Group 3 - To address the challenges in overseas markets, the companies are focusing on high-end strategies, with plans to enhance their global presence and product offerings [6][7] - Shiseido's sales in Japan account for about 30% of its total sales, while Kose and POLA have over 50% of their sales from the domestic market, indicating limited growth potential in Japan [6][7] - The high-end market has become increasingly competitive, with global brands emphasizing their premium attributes, necessitating Japanese brands to invest in research and development to remain relevant [8][9]