Ajinomoto Co., Inc. to Increase Production Capacity for Umami Seasoning AJI-NO-MOTO® in Vietnam Investment of Approx. JPY 2.3 Billion for an Approx. 20% Increase in Production Capacity

TOKYO, July 11, 2016 – AJINOMOTO VIETNAM CO., LTD., a consolidated subsidiary of Ajinomoto Co., Inc. (“Ajinomoto Co.”), will increase production capacity at its Bien Hoa Factory in Dong Nai Province, Vietnam to approximately 1.2 times the current level to meet growing demand in the country for umami seasoning AJI-NO-MOTO^®. Capital investment will total approximately USD 20 million (approximately JPY 2.3 billion), and completion of construction is scheduled in August 2017.

The market for umami seasonings in Vietnam was approximately 160,000 tons in fiscal 2014 (Ajinomoto Co. survey), the second largest in the world after China. Umami seasonings are widely used in local home cooking and restaurant dishes, and the market is expected to grow at a rate of 2-3% annually, backed by factors such as rising average income and population growth. Ajinomoto Co. launched umami seasoning AJI-NO-MOTO^® in Vietnam in 1991 and has increased sales volume since then, with growth averaging 6% annually since fiscal 2011.

To meet this growth in demand, AJINOMOTO VIETNAM CO., LTD. will increase production capacity for AJI-NO-MOTO^® at its Bien Hoa Factory to approximately 1.2 times the current level with integrated production from raw materials to packaging for stable supply in Vietnam.

In its FY2014-2016 Medium-Term Management Plan, the Ajinomoto Group positions Vietnam as one of its “Five Stars” (core countries in ASEAN and Latin America), its major growth drivers. For rapid growth in Vietnam, the Ajinomoto Group is strengthening the supply structure for AJI-NO-MOTO^®, and it will continue its ongoing activities including environmentally conscious production activities such as the resource recycling amino acid fermentation process (“bio-cycle”) and promotion with local governments of a school meal project to distribute nutritionally balanced meals to elementary schools and a project to enhance nutrition education and to introduce a certification system for nutritionists. The Ajinomoto Group aims to contribute to global sustainability and healthy living through its business activities.

Ajinomoto Co. is a global manufacturer of high-quality seasonings, processed foods, beverages, amino acids, pharmaceuticals and specialty chemicals. For many decades Ajinomoto Co. has contributed to food culture and human health through wide-ranging application of amino acid technologies. Today, the company is becoming increasingly involved with solutions for improved food resources, human health and global sustainability. Founded in 1909 and now operating in 27 countries and regions, Ajinomoto Co. had net sales of JPY 1,185.9 billion (USD 9.87 billion) in fiscal 2015. For more about Ajinomoto Co. (TYO: 2802), visit www.ajinomoto.com.

Ajinomoto Co., Inc. Public Communications Department; pr_info@ajinomoto.com