# Suntory

> Japanese beverage company

**Wikidata**: [Q1345267](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1345267)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suntory)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/suntory

## Summary
Suntory is a Japanese beverage company founded in February 1899, also known as Suntory Holdings Limited. Operating as a major enterprise within the beverage industry, the organization produces a diverse portfolio of goods and services, ranging from distilled spirits to soft drinks.

## Key Facts
- **Inception:** February 1899
- **Aliases:** Suntory Holdings Limited, Suntory Holdings Ltd
- **Classification:** Business, enterprise, and brand
- **Industry:** Beverage industry
- **Country of Origin:** Japan
- **Websites:** https://www.suntory.com/, https://www.suntory.co.jp/, https://gourmet.suntory.co.jp
- **Founder:** Shinjirō Torii (known as the father of Japanese whisky)
- **Key People:** Nobutada Saji (Japanese businessman), Makiko Ono (Japanese business woman)
- **Subsidiary:** Suntory Global Spirits (American liquor manufacturer, established 2011/2014)
- **Owned Distilleries:** Yamazaki distillery (est. 1923, Japan), Bowmore distillery (est. 1779, Scotland)
- **Owned Brands:** Lucozade (est. 1927), Orangina (est. 1936), Ribena (est. 1938), Midori (est. 1978), C.C. Lemon (est. 1994)
- **Cultural Assets:** Suntory Hall (concert hall in Tokyo, est. 1986)
- **Sports Affiliations:** Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath (rugby union team, est. 1980)
- **Sitelink Count:** 30

## FAQs
**When was Suntory founded?**
Suntory was established in February 1899.

**Who founded Suntory?**
The company was founded by Shinjirō Torii, a figure recognized as the father of Japanese whisky.

**What brands are owned by Suntory?**
Suntory owns and operates a wide array of brands including the British drink brand Lucozade, the carbonated citrus beverage Orangina, the blackcurrant-based drink Ribena, the melon liquor Midori, and C.C. Lemon.

**What distilleries does Suntory operate?**
The company operates the Yamazaki distillery in Japan, which was established in 1923, and the Bowmore distillery on Islay, Scotland, which dates back to 1779.

**What is Suntory Global Spirits?**
Suntory Global Spirits is an American liquor manufacturer and subsidiary of Suntory, with inception dates noted in October 2011 and 2014.

**Does Suntory own assets outside of the beverage industry?**
Yes, Suntory owns Suntory Hall, a concert hall in Tokyo opened in 1986, and is affiliated with the Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath, a Japanese rugby union team established in 1980.

## Why It Matters
Suntory holds a foundational role in the history of Japanese spirits, credited with establishing the country's whisky tradition through the creation of the Yamazaki distillery. Its influence extends globally through the acquisition of iconic international soft drink and liquor brands, integrating them into a vast enterprise. The company also maintains a significant cultural and social presence in Japan through the operation of major concert halls and the sponsorship of professional sports teams.

## Notable For
- Founding the Yamazaki distillery in 1923, the oldest Japanese whisky distillery in its portfolio.
- Owning the Bowmore distillery, one of the oldest Scotch whisky distilleries established in 1779.
- Producing Midori, a distinctive melon liquor launched in 1978.
- Establishing Suntory Hall in Tokyo in 1986 as a cultural venue for music.
- Creating the C.C. Lemon single in 1994.
- Expanding into the American market through Suntory Global Spirits.
- Operating the Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath rugby union team since 1980.

## Body

### Corporate Overview and Classifications
Suntory is defined as a business, enterprise, and brand undertaking commercial, industrial, and professional activities. The organization functions with a degree of autonomy in decision-making regarding the allocation of its current resources. It is linguistically and conceptually related to the term "Sun," the star at the centre of the Solar System. The company is headquartered in Japan, an island country in East Asia, and maintains a significant digital footprint through its primary websites: suntory.com, suntory.co.jp, and gourmet.suntory.co.jp.

### History and Founding
The company's inception dates back to February 1899. It was founded by Shinjirō Torii, who holds the historical distinction of being the father of Japanese whisky. Torii's citizenship is listed as Japan, and his occupation is identified within the business sector.

### Leadership and Affiliations
Suntory's operations are associated with several key figures. Nobutada Saji, a Japanese businessman, is a prominent person connected to the enterprise. Makiko Ono, also a Japanese business woman, is another affiliated individual. The entity also lists an affiliation with Jack Schlossberg, an American writer and political correspondent born in 1993.

### Subsidiaries and Global Expansion
The company has expanded its organizational structure through the creation of Suntory Global Spirits. This subsidiary is an American liquor manufacturer with inception dates recorded in October 2011 and 2014. Suntory Global Spirits operates within the liquor industry and maintains headquarters in the United States and the United Kingdom, with a specific headquarters location identified as .

### Distilleries and Production Facilities
Suntory owns and operates several notable production facilities.
*   **Yamazaki distillery:** Established in 1923, this Japanese whisky distillery is located in Japan and has its headquarters in .
*   **Bowmore distillery:** This whisky distillery is located on Islay, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, UK. It dates back to 1779 and is a significant asset within the company's portfolio.

### Brands and Product Portfolio
The enterprise manages a diverse portfolio of drink brands and products.
*   **Lucozade:** A British drink brand that was incepted in 1927.
*   **Orangina:** A carbonated citrus beverage brand established in 1936.
*   **Ribena:** A blackcurrant-based drink brand with an inception date of 1938.
*   **Midori:** A melon liquor product that was released in 1978.
*   **C.C. Lemon:** A single product identified as a "single," which was incepted in 1994.

### Cultural and Sports Assets
Beyond beverage production, Suntory owns and operates assets in the cultural and sports sectors.
*   **Suntory Hall:** This is a concert hall located in Tokyo, Japan. It was incepted on January 1, 1986, and serves as a major cultural venue.
*   **Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath:** A Japanese rugby union team that was established in 1980. The team represents the company's involvement in professional sports.

## References

1. GRID Release 2017-01-10
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. CiNii Research
4. [Source](https://www.suntory.co.jp/company/boardofdirectors/)
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
6. MusicBrainz
7. [Source](https://www.houjin-bangou.nta.go.jp/henkorireki-johoto.html?selHouzinNo=3120001136159)
8. Google Knowledge Graph
9. [Source](https://wellness.suntory.com.tw/)
10. [Source](http://km.aifb.kit.edu/services/crunchbase/)
11. GRID Release 2015-12-14
12. GRID Release 2016-12-06
13. Quora
14. Name Suggestion Index