Kowa

Kowa is a long-established Japanese company founded in 1894 as a cotton wholesaler. The brand rapidly expanded into international cotton production during the early 1900s, becoming a major global player in the textile industry.

After World War II, with overseas branches closed and most cotton machinery lost, Kowa shifted its focus to pharmaceuticals, where equipment and materials remained accessible. This transition marked the beginning of Kowa’s evolution into a diversified, multi-industry enterprise.

Today, the company operates across pharmaceuticals, optics, international trade, electronics, real estate, and hospitality. Kowa is especially well known for its widely available over-the-counter health products, including Vantelin pain-relief patches, Q&P Gold supplements, and digestive aids like Wakamoto. These dependable items are bestsellers found in nearly every Japanese drugstore.