# Japanese food industry expansion > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/japanese-food-industry-expansion > Updated: 2026-08-19T04:17:06.000Z. Sources: 2. Developments: 2. Japanese food service companies are expanding their international and domestic presence through new brand launches, store openings, and strategic rebranding. In early August 2026, expansion efforts were noted in the United States, Taiwan, and Japan. Marugame Seimen opened its 23rd U.S. location in California, introducing a customized ‘Malatang Udon’ to target local demographics, with plans to expand to San Diego and San Francisco. In Taiwan, the brand BREAD, ESPRESSO & launched its first local concept store in Taipei, blending Japanese tea culture with Taiwanese ingredients. Simultaneously, Marugame Ramen announced a new branch opening in Japan’s Amagasaka Sakabe area. By mid-August 2026, expansion activity continued within Japan. Unisia Holdings launched the ‘Katsu no Joe’ brand in Tokyo, while Next Global Foods opened its 35th ‘Higashi-Shinjuku Tare Yakiniku Nonki’ location. Other developments included Kyoto Katsugyu rebranding its flagship in Kyoto to include breakfast service for tourists, and Hotland Holdings reaching a milestone with its 100th ‘Tokyo Abura Gumi Sohonten’ location in Aichi Prefecture. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-19: Japanese restaurant operators expand with new brand launches and store openings Multiple Japanese restaurant operators are expanding through new brand launches and store openings in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Aichi, including a milestone 100th location for Tokyo Abura Gumi Sohonten. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/japanese-restaurant-operators-expand-with-new-brand-launches-and-store-openings ### 2026-08-08: Japanese food brands expand with new locations in US, Taiwan, and Japan Japanese food brands are expanding: Marugame Seimen opened its 23rd U.S. location in Rowland Ca, BREAD, ESPRESSO & launched its first Taiwan concept store, and Marugame Ramen is opening a new branch in Amagasak 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/japanese-food-brands-expand-with-new-locations-in-us-taiwan-and-japan --- Cite as: Japanese food industry expansion. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/japanese-food-industry-expansion