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Japan Tobacco  

The Japan Tobacco Inc. (Nihon Tabako Sangyō kabushiki gaisha) (JT) is a Japanese diversified tobacco company. It was established in 1985 as a tokushu gaisha (特殊会社, lit. "special company") that inherited the right to monopolize and manufacture cigarettes from the Japan Tobacco and Salt Public Corporation and required the government to hold at least 50% of its shares. In addition to tobacco, JT diversified its businesses, establishing the pharmaceutical research institute in 1993 and making a full-scale entry into the food and beverage industry in 1998.

In 2008, it acquired the food manufacturer Katokichi, now TableMark, as a wholly-owned subsidiary, integrating its food business.