Japan Cosmetic Licensing Association Participates in Government Policy Advocacy as a Founding Member of the 'Consortium for Creating the Future of the J-Beauty Industry'

On May 15, 2026 (Fri), a proposal was handed to Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara at the House of Representatives Second Members' Office Building (Sayaka Konishi: 1st from the left).

The Japan Cosmetic Licensing Association (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Sayaka Konishi; hereinafter 'the Association'; URL: https://cosme-ken.org/), which operates the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)-backed 'Japan Cosmetic License'—now growing into the industry's most standard certification with over 1.76 million cumulative test-takers—participated in submitting a 'Proposal Concerning the Growth Strategy of the J-Beauty Industry' to the government. This proposal was compiled by the J-Beauty Industry Research Council.

This proposal was compiled through cooperation among industry associations, companies, and experts under Yoshimasa Hayashi, a member of the House of Representatives and representative organizer of the J-Beauty Industry Research Council, and was submitted to relevant ministries, including the Cabinet Secretariat, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

From our association, Representative Director Sayaka Konishi attended the submission of the proposal to various ministers.

The J-Beauty Industry as a Representative Growth Industry for Japan

The J-Beauty industry, which includes cosmetics, hair care, nails, beauty devices, and aesthetics, has a market size of approximately 10 trillion yen, with related employment estimated at 10 million people. Furthermore, Japan's cosmetics exports have reached approximately 1.5 trillion yen, drawing global attention as a major foreign currency-earning sector, alongside the food industry.

On the other hand, as countries like South Korea and China actively promote the beauty industry and overseas expansion as a national strategy, further efforts are required to strengthen Japan's international competitiveness. Against this background, discussions have been underway for the entire J-Beauty industry to cooperate and promote solutions and growth strategies across industries.

On May 18, 2026 (Mon), a proposal was handed to the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare, Kenichiro Ueno, at the Minister's Office in the Central Government Building (Sayaka Konishi: 1st from the right).

Cross-Industry Efforts Born from 8 Years of Activity

This initiative is rooted in approximately eight years of activities led by the Japan Beauty Overseas Expansion Promotion Association, where our Representative Director Sayaka Konishi serves as a board member. The activities that have advanced collaboration with beauty-related associations and companies since 2017 to promote the development and overseas expansion of Japan's beauty industry have evolved into the establishment of this cross-industry research council and consortium.

Moving forward, through the private-led consortium established as a result of the J-Beauty Industry Research Council, we will continue to deepen cooperation with relevant ministries to further develop the Japanese beauty industry as a whole.

Role of the Japan Cosmetic Licensing Association

Our association has been working with the mission of 'spreading correct beauty knowledge.' Through the Japan Cosmetic License project, certification systems, human resource development, and seminars, we are working to disseminate correct knowledge about beauty and ensure the healthy development of the cosmetics industry.

Through our participation in this proposal activity, we will contribute to the further development and value enhancement of the J-Beauty industry from the perspective of connecting consumers with the industry.

[Comment from Representative Director Sayaka Konishi]

'The J-Beauty industry is one of the important industries that Japan prides itself on globally. I feel it is very significant that we have realized a place where industry associations and companies can cooperate across boundaries, discuss the future of the entire industry, and make proposals.

Our association has been working to spread correct beauty knowledge to consumers, but in the future, in addition to those activities, we will contribute even more to the development of Japan's beauty industry as a whole.

As a founding member, I will do my utmost to help the J-Beauty industry further develop as a growth industry that Japan can be proud of globally.'

[Full text of the 'Proposal Concerning the Growth Strategy of the J-Beauty Industry'] Please refer to the attached document for details.

[About the Japan Cosmetic License] Overview: The Japan Cosmetic License aims to improve and disseminate knowledge about cosmetics and beauty, targeting a wide range of age groups, including beauty professionals, general individuals for lifelong learning, and students. Participants can learn widely from cosmetic dermatology and cosmetic science to professional legal knowledge. As of the end of December 2025, the cumulative number of test-takers for all levels of the Japan Cosmetic License exceeded 1.76 million, and it is growing into the most standard qualification in the beauty industry.