Promotool Appoints Youngest No. 1 Perfumer Takeshi Watanabe as Vice Director of Fragrance Technology Research Institute - As Core Personnel Spanning Research and Product Development, Entering New System

Promotool Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo; Fragrance Technology Research Institute: Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture; Representative Director & CEO: Kensuke Ogata), a scent technology company that scientifically analyzes and designs all kinds of fragrances, is pleased to announce the appointment of Senior Perfumer Takeshi Watanabe as Vice Director of its central hub, the "Fragrance Technology Research Institute," which integrates perfumery, analysis, and product development. This personnel change is part of a new system implemented to accelerate the promotion of next-generation talent and elevate the technical capabilities and creativity of the Fragrance Technology Research Institute. Watanabe's appointment as Vice Director at the age of 30 is a result of high evaluation of his technical skills, product development capabilities, and achievements. ## Background of New System Launch: Fueling Institute Growth with the Power of the Younger Generation Amidst the expanding applications of fragrances and the advancement of technology, there is a demand for innovative ideas and speed that break traditional molds. Promotool has made the training and success of next-generation perfumers a critical theme, promoting young leaders and perfumers to further strengthen the institute's technical capabilities. Watanabe, a rare talent capable of bridging perfumery, analysis, and product development, has been selected as Vice Director to lead the institute into a new phase of growth. ## Next-Generation Leader Responsible for Product Development × Technical Research Watanabe is a rare perfumer in Japan capable of consistently handling "perfumery, analysis, and product development," embodying the company's technical prowess. He has not only created fragrances but also considered how to make them into viable products, leading and accumulating achievements in numerous high-quality standard projects. His ability to understand and practice both "technology" and "product development" is his greatest strength and symbolizes the value of the Fragrance Technology Research Institute. "Promotool Member Introduction" including Japan's No. 1 young perfumer, Takeshi Watanabe, is here https://www.promotool.jp/team/ ## Creating a Future of New Richness and Surprise in People's Lives from a Transparent Institute, Hand-in-Hand with Director Yokoyama Currently, the Fragrance Technology Research Institute is led by Director Yokoyama, formerly the General Manager of Product Development at KOSÉ Corporation. He focuses on product development with a 5- to 10-year outlook, driving research into the functional properties of scents, including the effects of essential oils, as well as the development of fragrance goods, in addition to perfumery. In this new system, the synergy between Yokoyama's expertise and product development capabilities, and Watanabe's perfumery skills and creativity, will further enhance the institute's technical capabilities. This evolution will transform the institute from a mere technical development site into a core hub for value creation, where sensibility and science are fused at a high level. See the "Fragrance Design" achievements by Vice Director Takeshi Watanabe https://www.promotool.jp/case_study/ ## Comment from Takeshi Watanabe, Vice Director of the Fragrance Technology Research Institute "I am deeply honored to be appointed Vice Director. I aim to contribute to the further development of the entire organization by leveraging my past experience and supporting the Director and other members of the institute. Fragrance is a domain deeply connected to human emotions and memories, which cannot be fully described by numbers alone. I want to refine both scientific approaches and sensibility, and create an 'open institute' where young people can easily take on challenges." ## Comment from Kensuke Ogata, Representative Director and CEO of Promotool Co., Ltd. "This appointment is our company's technology strategy itself. Fragrance is entering a phase where it is being redefined not just as 'sensibility' but also as 'science.' In this context, talent like Watanabe, who can bridge research and product development, is extremely rare and forms the core of our competitive advantage. With this new structure, we will evolve the Fragrance Technology Research Institute into an 'engine for value creation.'" ## Future Outlook We will pursue R&D not only in conventional fragrance development but also in research areas that fuse the "functionality" and "sensibility" of scents. We will tackle new themes that enhance the experiential value for consumers, such as research on scents that contribute to psychological effects like relaxation and concentration, fragrances as environmental design for improved spatial comfort, and scent creation with consideration for sustainability. We will further accelerate R&D and work to create unprecedented scent values. The Fragrance Technology Research Institute will continue to evolve as a hub for creating a fragrance culture that enriches people's lives and connects to the future. ## Takeshi Watanabe, Vice Director, Promotool Fragrance Technology Research Institute After graduating from perfumery school, he joined Promotool. Since joining, he has overseen numerous high-quality standard projects for top-tier companies such as JAL Executive Lounge, Mampei Hotel, Asuka III, and JR Tower Hotel Nikko Sapporo, earning a reputation as Japan's No. 1 young perfumer and leading many of our major projects. He assumed the position of Vice Director of the Fragrance Technology Research Institute in April 2026. ## About Promotool Co., Ltd. ## Company Profile ### **Promotool Co., Ltd.** Head Office: Bunkyo Komaoka 6-5-3, Viewne Honkomagome 5F, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo Fragrance Technology Research Institute: Ooi Bldg. 2F, 3-161 Miyahara-cho, Kita-ku, Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture Representative: Kensuke Ogata, Representative Director, President & CEO Business Description: Manufacturing and sales of fragrances and aroma diffusers (1) Scent Branding (Original Aroma) (2) Scent Space Design (High-grade Commercial Aroma Diffusers) (3) OEM (Fragrance Development and Perfume/Cosmetic Manufacturing & Sales / Fragrance Goods) (4) Scent Samples (Aroma Testers) (5) Scent Promotions (Scent Direct Mail, etc.) (6) Scent Entertainment Production Official Website: https://www.promotool.jp/ Official Online Store: https://essenceon.jp/store/ Perfumery Experience Studio "L’esprit": https://lesprit.shop/ ## About Promotool Co., Ltd. ## Company Profile ### **Promotool Co., Ltd.** Head Office: Bunkyo Komaoka 6-5-3, Viewne Honkomagome 5F, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo Fragrance Technology Research Institute: Ooi Bldg. 2F, 3-161 Miyahara-cho, Kita-ku, Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture Representative: Kensuke Ogata, Representative Director, President & CEO Business Description: Manufacturing and sales of fragrances and aroma diffusers (1) Scent Branding (Original Aroma) (2) Scent Space Design (High-grade Commercial Aroma Diffusers) (3) OEM (Fragrance Development and Perfume/Cosmetic Manufacturing & Sales / Fragrance Goods) (4) Scent Samples (Aroma Testers) (5) Scent Promotions (Scent Direct Mail, etc.) (6) Scent Entertainment Production Official Website: https://www.promotool.jp/ Official Online Store: https://essenceon.jp/store/ Perfumery Experience Studio "L’esprit": https://lesprit.shop/