OUR HISTORY
A Trajectory of Challenges and Growth.
Our Ever-Evolving Journey.
CHAPTER 01
The Birth of “WSP”
In 1991, Masao Watanabe founded “WSP” in Osaka. Inspired by the desire to “deliver beautiful pearls nurtured by the world’s oceans,” he named the company “WSP (World Sea Pearls).” The company began its journey with a wholesale pearl business.
CHAPTER 02
A Pioneer in Online Retail
Around 2000, during the dawn of the Internet era, the company launched online sales. Rather than engaging in price competition, it pursued the creation of added value, promoting the new appeal and potential of pearls both domestically and internationally. As a “Pearl Concierge,” the company has earned the support of many customers.
CHAPTER 03
COVID-19 Pandemic
In 2010, with an eye toward overseas expansion, the company exhibited its original pearl-based cosmetics at the Shanghai World Expo.Based on the insights gained there, we focused on the market for international visitors to Japan and strengthened our sales infrastructure in duty-free shops nationwide. As inbound demand expanded, our business grew, and we deployed sales staff from Hokkaido to Okinawa, establishing a system to directly convey the appeal and beauty benefits of pearl extract.
Subsequently, we were working to strengthen our business foundation in anticipation of further inbound demand driven by the Tokyo Olympics, but the market environment changed dramatically due to the global pandemic of COVID-19.Our cosmetics business was severely impacted, with sales temporarily dropping by 97%. Since we had specifically planned our strategy with inbound tourism in mind, the blow we suffered was particularly devastating.
CHAPTER 04
Resurgence, and Toward an Even Brighter Future
This unprecedented crisis caused by the novel coronavirus served as a critical turning point for us—a company that had been racing ahead at full speed—to take a step back and reevaluate our foundations. During this period, we focused on “elevating our philosophy,” pursuing the value of “beauty” services that bring smiles to our customers’ faces, while simultaneously strengthening our business foundation and organizational capabilities.
After celebrating our 30th anniversary, our business recovered strongly and achieved renewed growth following the pandemic. With our workforce now exceeding 200 employees, we continue to take on new challenges aimed at further growth.
CHAPTER 05
Promoting “the beauty cycle” on a Global Scale
Our focus has now expanded to address global challenges. We are accelerating initiatives that express gratitude for nature’s bounty and protect the environment—including efforts to safeguard the “ocean forests” that nurture pearls, initiatives to combat global warming through Blue Carbon, and the upcycling of pearl oysters.
This is more than just social contribution. We use the power of business to solve social issues and pass on a beautiful Earth to future generations—we call this the “beauty circle.” Our business itself is a grand project that creates this cycle.
For us, “beauty” is not merely about outward appearance; it resides in one’s state of mind. When the “+1” service we provide in our work warms someone’s heart, new beauty is born. We believe that this chain reaction is the “beauty circle” that spreads throughout society.
CHAPTER 06
The Dawn of WSP Holdings
In December 2025, WSP marked its 32nd fiscal year since its founding. We now stand at a major turning point to achieve further evolution. We have transitioned from our previous “divisional structure” to a “holding company structure,” enhancing the expertise of each business unit while dramatically improving the speed of decision-making.
The purpose of this structural change is not merely to improve organizational efficiency. By delegating authority to each operating company, we aim to create an environment where they can respond immediately to market changes and formulate their own unique strategies. Above all, our goal is to cultivate leaders and executives across diverse fields—including management, planning, marketing, research, and international operations—and to foster an environment where every member can take on challenges and grow.
Supporting one another across the entire group and constantly taking on new business challenges—that mindset is the very source of our sustainable growth. Moving forward, WSP Holdings Co., Ltd. will continue to advance toward the realization of a “society where the Circulation of Beauty occurs.”
