Editing Yaohan

{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{short description|Japanese retail group}}
{{More citations needed|date=November 2023}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Yaohan Co., LTD.
|native_name = 株式会社ヤオハン
| romanized_name = Kabushiki gaisha Yaohan
| logo = Yaohan logo.svg
| type = 
| industry = Retail
| fate = Bankrupt<ref name=history/><br>Most assets acquired by [[AEON (company)|ÆON]]<br>Japanese stores became [[MaxValu]]; some overseas stores became [[JUSCO]] (now ÆON)
| predecessor = <!-- or: | predecessors = -->
| founded = 1930 in Japan<ref name=history/><br>1948 (incorporated)
| founder = Ryohei and Katsu Wada
| defunct = 1997<ref name=infopedia/>
| area_served = Worldwide
| hq_location_country = 
| key_people = [[Kazuo Wada]]
| products = 
| owner = <!-- or: | owners = -->
| successor = [[MaxValu]] (in Japan)
| num_employees = 
| num_employees_year = <!-- Year of num_employees data (if known) -->
}}

{{nihongo|'''Yaohan Co., Ltd.'''|株式会社ヤオハン|[[Kabushiki gaisha]] Yaohan}} or {{nihongo|'''Yaohan'''|ヤオハン||or 八百半}}; ({{zh|c=八佰伴}}) was a Japanese retail group, founded in 1930 by {{nihongo|Ryohei Wada|和田 良平|Wada Ryōhei}} and his wife {{nihongo|{{ill|Katsu Wada|ja|和田カツ}}|和田 カツ|Wada Katsu}}.<ref name=history>{{cite web|url=http://history.04007.cn/en.php/HisMain/9078.html|title=Japan supermarket giant Yaohan company went bankrupt|date=8 July 2019|website=Today in History China|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190829100852/http://history.04007.cn/en.php/HisMain/9078.html|archive-date=29 August 2019}}</ref> Initially a single shop selling vegetables,<ref name="protection">{{cite news |title=Bankruptcy protection for Yaohan Japan |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/biztimes19970919-1.2.4?qt=yaohan&q=yaohan |work=Business Times (Singapore) |date=September 19, 1997}}</ref> it was expanded by their son [[Kazuo Wada]] into a major supermarket chain with most retail outlets located in [[Shizuoka prefecture]], south of Tokyo. It was incorporated in 1948 and listed on [[Tokyo Stock Exchange]]. The store was far more established and notable outside Japan, due to restrictive laws in Japan that made it difficult to set up new businesses, such that by the time it opened its first store in the Tokyo metropolitan area, the company was already in a state of decline due to accumulated debts from over-expansion.

==Growth==
[[File:Whampoagarden.jpg|thumb|''[[Whampoa Garden|The Whampoa]]'', a 110-meter-long shopping centre building that takes the form of a ship in Whampoa Garden, Hong Kong, housed a large Yaohan department store on its ground and basement levels from the 1980s to the late 1990s.]]

[[File:YAOHAN Little Tokyo.JPG|thumb|Yaohan store in Little Tokyo, Alameda Street, Los Angeles, USA]] During the 1980s and 1990s, the Yaohan group expanded dramatically outside Japan, especially into Hong Kong (since 1984), China (since 1995) and the US. At its peak, it had 450 outlets in 16 countries, including 9 in Hong Kong, as well in Brazil with stores in [[São Paulo]] (since 1971)<ref name="for the"/> and [[Sorocaba]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jornalcruzeiro.com.br/materia/385149/yaohan-ainda-esta-na-memoria|title=Yaohan ainda está na memória|author=Jornal Cruzeiro do Sul/FUA|date=5 June 2012|work=Jornal Cruzeiro do Sul|access-date=30 May 2016|archive-date=7 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181007223110/http://www2.jornalcruzeiro.com.br/materia/385149/yaohan-ainda-esta-na-memoria|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[San José, Costa Rica]], Los Angeles, Vancouver ([[Yaohan Centre]]), [[Honolulu]], London, and [[San Jose, California]]. Yaohan's first North American location, at Fresno, California, was opened in 1979 at Yaohan Plaza.

Its training center was located at [[Atami]].<ref name="for the"/>

Typical of large Japanese companies, new employees were required to go through induction training programs that, in the case of Yaohan, had a strong religious emphasis on the principles of [[Seicho-no-Ie]]. Employees also had to go through regular seminars on Seicho-no-Ie and were ultimately required to be members of Seicho-no-Ie.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Clarke|first1=Peter B.|title=Japanese New Religions in Global Perspective|date=2013|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1136828652|pages=52–63}}</ref> This was not without resistance from its employees. Although the company was less strict on seminar attendance and membership for employees of overseas branches, the same resistance persisted.

===Hong Kong===
The first Yaohan store was opened in [[New Town Plaza]], Sha Tin, Hong Kong in 1984. After that, Yaohan store grew quickly in Hong Kong and had opened nine stores, which include [[Tuen Mun Town Plaza]], [[Whampoa Garden]], [[Yuen Long]], [[Ma On Shan (town)|Ma On Shan]], [[Tsuen Wan]]. All the stores were closed in 1997 due to the financial turmoil and the burst of the Japanese economy bubble. Then many stores were replaced by another Japanese department store chain, [[JUSCO]] (now called [[ÆON (company)|AEON]]).

Yaohan is one of the listed companies in Hong Kong during 1986 to 1997. It has owned many companies, such as the Wonderful World of Whimsy, [[Millie (company)|Millie]], [[Santa Ana Bakery]] and some another fast-food restaurant. But many of them were closed later.

===Macau===
Yaohan store was established and opened in 1992 in [[Macau]]. It is the first and the only department store in Macau until now. It was renamed as [[New Yaohan]] after the bankruptcy of the original company, and the new company is operated by '''Yaohan International Company Limited'''.

===Malaysia===
[[File:Sunway Putra Mall, Kuala Lumpur 20240212 134046.jpg|thumb|right|Sunway Putra Mall, where Yaohan's first Malaysian store once operated from 1987 to 1997. It is still referred to as ''Yaohan'' by the locals]]

The Malaysian branch of Yaohan {{endash}} operated by Yaohan Malaysia Sdn Bhd {{endash}} was owned by Metroplex Group Sdn Bhd, with the latter owning 36.5% of its shares while Yaohan Group Malaysia is owned by Yaohan of Japan with 22.87% of its shares owned by Metroplex Group.<ref name="to acquire">{{cite news |title=Yaohan hopes to acquire The Mall |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/biztimes19960126-1.2.33.7.7?qt=yaohan&q=yaohan |work=Business Times (Singapore) |agency=Bernama |date=January 26, 1996}}</ref>

Yaohan expended to Malaysia in May 1987 with its first store at [[The Mall (Kuala Lumpur)|The Mall]] in the [[Chow Kit]] district of [[Kuala Lumpur]]. Yaohan later opened an outlet in Johor Bahru (with Pelangi Berhad) and Penang.<ref>{{cite news |title=Yaohan plans to expand operations with outlets in Johor Baru and Penang |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19890929-1.2.66.6 |work=The Straits Times |date=September 29, 1989}}</ref>

In 1992, Yaohan Malaysia planned to open five more outlets within five years, including one in Sabah, totalling into nine outlets.<ref>{{cite news |title=KL retail sector set to grow by 10% |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19920504-1.2.59.7 |work=The Straits Times |agency=Business Times (Malaysia) |date=May 4, 1992}}</ref>

By 1997, Yaohan had expanded to six stores including one in [[East Malaysia]]:
* {{flagicon|Federal Territory (Malaysia)}} [[Sunway Putra Mall|The Mall]], [[Chow Kit]], [[Kuala Lumpur]]
* {{flagicon|Federal Territory (Malaysia)}} [[Taman OUG|Plaza OUG]] (demolished in 2022), [[Old Klang Road]], [[Kuala Lumpur]]
* {{flagicon|Penang}} [[KOMTAR]], [[George Town, Penang|George Town]], [[Penang]]
* {{flagicon|Sabah}} Centre Point Sabah, [[Kota Kinabalu]], [[Sabah]]
* {{flagicon|Negeri Sembilan}} Terminal One, [[Seremban]], [[Negeri Sembilan]]
* {{flagicon|Selangor}} [[Sunway Pyramid]], [[Subang Jaya]], [[Selangor]]

Following the chain's bankruptcy in 1997, all stores were replaced by Aktif Lifestyle Corporation Bhd in January 1998<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=x8G803Bi31IC&dat=19980101&printsec=frontpage&hl=en|title=New Straits Times – Google News Archive Search|publisher=New Straits Times|access-date=11 March 2015}}</ref> and later [[Parkson]] in 2004.

===Singapore===
The Singapore branch of Yaohan was a joint venture of Yaohan Department Store Co, Ltd. and [[Development Bank of Singapore]], [[Nomura Securities|Singapore Nomura Merchant Bank]], Singmanex Pte Ltd and Tiger Pte Ltd.<ref name="for the">{{cite news |title=The one-stop centre for the family shopping... |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/newnation19741102-1.2.37.1?qt=yaohan&q=yaohan |work=New Nation |date=2 November 1974}}</ref> As of 1974, the branch had 550 staff;<ref name="for the"/> expanding to 1400 by 1979.<ref name="stakes">{{cite news |title=Yaohan stakes in Chile beef |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/newnation19791109-1.2.57?qt=yaohan&q=yaohan |work=New Nation |date=November 9, 1979}}</ref> The branch also owned the Yaohan trademark for Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei.<ref name="under"/>

Yaohan had two bakeries: one in Woodlands and in Jurong, opened in April 1980. Its subsidiary, Shin Mei Trading, exports locally made products such as candy, ivory products and garments.<ref name="stakes"/>

One of the oldest Japanese retailers in Singapore,<ref name="under">{{cite news |title=Yaohan S'pore put under interim judicial management |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/biztimes19970920-1.2.4?qt=yaohan&q=yaohan |work=Business Times (Singapore) |date=September 20, 1997}}</ref> its first store in 1974 at [[Plaza Singapura]] revolutionised the grocery shopping experience in Singapore,<ref name=ST/> and it quickly became a household name.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://jamco.or.jp/2005_symposium/en/005/index.html|title=アジアのテレビ放送局の現状と課題 – 第24回JAMCOオンライン国際シンポジウム – JAMCO|trans-title=15th Online International Symposium / Telecasted Images from Japan: Refracting Reality and Fantasy among Broadcast Consumers in Singapore|access-date=3 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060620055441/http://jamco.or.jp/2005_symposium/en/005/index.html|archive-date=20 June 2006}}</ref> Other stores were also opened in [[Thomson Plaza]] (1979), [[Bukit Timah]] (1982), [[Jurong]] (1983), and [[Parkway Parade]] (1983).<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20020624183757/http://siamfuture.com/AsianNews/AsianNewsTxt.asp?aid=2358 Siam Future : Seiyu Singapore posts first full-year net profit]</ref><ref name=infopedia/> The Jurong store was closed in 1989, and a new store planned at the [[IMM (Singapore)|IMM Shopping Mall]] was due to open in 1990.<ref name=infopedia/> The sixth store was supposed to open in [[Kovan, Hougang|Kovan]] Shopping Centre in 1993.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irs.stir.ac.uk/pdf/Working_papers/9201.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070822230409/http://www.irs.stir.ac.uk/pdf/Working_papers/9201.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 August 2007|title=Institute for Retail Studies|access-date=3 February 2016}}</ref> When the last store to cease operations in 1997 exited Singapore from Thomson Plaza, its staff were visibly moved and some were in tears.<ref name=infopedia>{{cite web|url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_2014-01-29_182139.html|title=Yaohan (Singapore)|website=nlb.gov.sg|date=29 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413102748/http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_2014-01-29_182139.html|archive-date=13 April 2019}}</ref> Also in operation in Singapore since 1985 was the '''Yaohan Best''' chain (a joint venture with [[Best Denki]]), specializing in electronics, which first opened in Yaohan's store space.<ref name=ST>{{cite web|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/straits-times-readers-share-fond-memories-of-yaohan-shopping-centres|title=Straits Times readers share fond memories of Yaohan shopping centres|website=The Straits Times|date=1 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190829093926/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/straits-times-readers-share-fond-memories-of-yaohan-shopping-centres|archive-date=29 August 2019}}</ref>

In 1993, Yaohan Singapore was restructured with its retail business moved to Yaohan Department Store Singapore and real estate moving to Exceltech. Its retail business would be listed in 1996.<ref>{{cite news |title=Yaohan S'pore undergoes restructuring |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/biztimes19930702-1.2.12.3?qt=yaohan&q=yaohan |work=Business Times (Singapore) |date=July 2, 1993}}</ref>

===Brunei===
Yaohan expanded to Brunei with its first store at Abdul Razak Plaza opened on March 13, 1987. Over 40,000 customers visited the store on its first day of operations. Yaohan Brunei was a joint venture of Yaohan Department Store of Japan and Haji Awang Abdul Hapidz, then-president of Malay Chamber of Commerce and Brunei National Chamber of Commerce and Industry.<ref>{{cite news |title=Yaohan group extending international network |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/biztimes19870317-1.2.47?qt=yaohan&q=yaohan |work=Business Times (Singapore) |date=March 17, 1987}}</ref>

===Thailand===
The first Yaohan store was opened in Thailand at [[:th:ฟอร์จูนทาวน์|Fortune Town]], [[Ratchadaphisek Road]], [[Bangkok]] in 1991 following by [[Seacon Bangkae|Future Park Bang Khae]] in 1994. ({{langx|th|เยาฮัน}}) Withdrew during the year 1997 following financial crisis.

===Indonesia===
In 1992, Yaohan opened its first branch in Indonesia at [[Plaza Atrium]], a shopping center in the [[Segitiga Senen]] superblock, [[Central Jakarta]]. Opening on 21 August 1992, the 3-storey store was 100% managed and owned by PT Suryaraya Mantaputama (co-owned by Suhartoyo, T.P. Rachmat, Djoko Soedjatmiko and Ali Santoso),<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=0y3pAAAAMAAJ&q=karabha+ Eksekutif, Masalah 159-162]</ref> being supported with a US$10 million investment from Yaohan International Company Limited, which also licensed branding, distribution, and basic training.<ref>YOEDHA, DHIA PREKASHA. Bisnis Eceran (1). Riuh Mengais Kocek dan Gengsi Konsumen. 18 September 1992. Kompas.</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=(TOM)|date=21 August 1992|title=Yaohan Hadir Di Jakarta|work=Kompas|url=http://kompasdata.id/Search/NewsDetail/18772990|access-date=5 May 2020}}</ref> After the Plaza Atrium branch, there were plans to open a second branch in [[Mal Kelapa Gading]] 2, although it was instead replaced with a Sogo. This outlet closed in early 1995,<ref>NIC, DRM. Plaza Atrium Senen yang Merana. 24 September 2001. Kompas</ref> due to its inconspicuous location being unattractive for its target customers, resulting in rapid loss. It has since been replaced by [[Matahari (department store)|Matahari]], a local department store chain. A few unrelated supermarkets under the name '''Macan Yaohan''' also opened since 1985 in [[Medan]], although all locations had since closed in 2015.

==Decline==
[[File:Yaohan Centre 2018.jpg|thumb|Yaohan Centre in Richmond, BC. The shopping centre retained its name after purchase by the President Group]]
When the company faced financial difficulties, it was split into two companies, one in Japan and with the overseas part headquartered in Hong Kong, in a bid to survive. The group was traded on the [[Hong Kong Stock Exchange]] as Yaohan International Company Limited until 11 August 1998. Through a combination of the [[1997 Asian financial crisis]] and the stagnation of the Japanese retail market, however, the group declared bankruptcy with 161&nbsp;billion yen of debts.<ref name="hand">{{cite news |title=Jusco to lend hand to Yaohan |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19971007-1.2.77.7 |work=The Straits Times |agency=Reuters |date=October 7, 1997}}</ref> It was the biggest postwar failure in Japan's retail sector at the time.<ref name="over">{{cite news |title=Jusco to take over Yaohan Japan's operations |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/biztimes19971219-1.2.35.9.1?qt=yaohan&q=yaohan |work=Business Times (Singapore) |agency=AFP |date=December 19, 1997}}</ref> Already at a "financial dead-end", the super-market chain asked for protection from creditors under Japan's Corporate Rehabilitation Law on 18 September 1997.<ref name="protection"/> Many outlets were closed. 

In December 1997, Yaohan in Japan was bought by [[ÆON Group]]<ref name="over"/> and changed its name to [[Maxvalu Tokai]]; most of the stores in Hong Kong were also overtaken by ÆON and became [[JUSCO]]. Other stores in the US were bought by Maruwa, [[Mitsuwa]], and [[Marukai]], the latter two based in Los Angeles. Stores in Canada were bought by [[The President Group]], a Taiwanese company.

A former Yaohan department store in [[Macau]] is operating under the trading name '''New Yaohan''' (新八佰伴), operated by '''Yaohan International Company Limited''' in Hong Kong which is owned by [[Sociedade de Turismo e Diversões de Macau|STDM]] (controlled by [[Stanley Ho]]) and no longer has a connection with the Wada family. '''Yaohan Best''' has been renamed as [[Best Denki]].

==See also==
*[[Economy of Japan]]
*''[[Oshin]]'', an [[NHK]] ''[[asadora]]'' loosely based on the growth of Yaohan
*[[Oriental City]], formerly Yaohan Plaza

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.yaohan.co.jp/|title=Yaohan Japan}} {{in lang|ja}} (Archive)

[[Category:Aeon Group]]
[[Category:Defunct companies of Hong Kong]]
[[Category:Companies that have filed for bankruptcy in Japan]]
[[Category:Supermarkets of Japan]]
[[Category:Multinational companies headquartered in Hong Kong]]
[[Category:Retail companies established in 1930]]
[[Category:Retail companies of Hong Kong]]
[[Category:Retail companies disestablished in 1997]]
[[Category:Companies formerly listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange]]
[[Category:Japanese companies disestablished in 1997]]
[[Category:Japanese companies established in 1930]]
[[Category:1997 mergers and acquisitions]]