First Japanese Halal Skin Care Product Launched In Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, March 4 (Bernama) -- Momohime, a first of its kind halal skincare range made exclusively in Japan, was officially launched and introduced in Malaysia Friday. The product's launch was in conjunction with its first anniversary, and Kuala Lumpur was chosen for strategic positioning as a gateway to the fast-growing market for the health and beauty industry. Momohime, which means "Peach Princess" in Japanese, uses peach as the main ingredient and imported by PBJ International Sdn Bhd, helmed by a husband-and-wife team, Mariya and Umar Kobayashi. The launch was witnessed by the Second Secretary of Agriculture, Forestry, Fishery, and Environment at the Japanese Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Michiko Nishikawa and Managing Director of the Japan External Trade Organisation Kuala Lumpur (JETRO), Akira Kajita. Umar said Momohime's formulation, product and packaging used the latest equipment, while manufactured under Good Manufacturing Practice standards at a factory with ISO 9001 certification in Japan. The product's focus is to provide skin care options and solutions to Muslim women worldwide. The company decided to launch Momohime in Malaysia before embarking on other Asian markets as Indonesia, due to the large Muslim population. "I am confident of Malaysia as the weather makes the product suitable for consumers here," Mariya said during the launch. Momohime is also being promoted in Russia and Turkey, and currently being established in Indonesia and Singapore through online shopping networks and local partners. It has obtained necessary approvals from Malaysia's Ministry of Health and was certified Halal by the Japan Islamic Trust, which has a strategic working relationship with the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim). The product is guaranteed to have no animal-derived ingredients, alcohol, oil-derived ingredients nor colorant in its manufacturing process. The brand consists of basic skin care range priced from RM88 (US$19.75) to RM178 (US$39.95). Currently, it is only available online, and would be sold at selected retail outlets soon. Momohime would be promoted in trade and consumer fairs nationwide to further establish its halal branding. -- BERNAMA