Profile

Born in Tokyo in 1962, Kazutoshi Kobayashi is a graduate of Keio (CI) University, where he earned his degree in Law. He began his career in 1986 upon joining Kobayashi KOSÉ Co., Ltd. From 1989, he played a central role in the Corporate Identity project within the Planning Headquarters, which culminated in the successful launch of a new corporate logo and the company's renaming to Kose Corporation in 1991. That same year, he was appointed to the Board of Directors, also serving as Head of the Marketing Division and Advertising Department. He rose through the ranks, becoming Managing Director in 1995, Executive Vice President and Representative Director in 2004, and has held his current position as President and CEO since 2007. In July 2025, he was appointed Chairman of the Japan Cosmetics Industry Association.