MAM
JICA and Kampai celebrate launch of Japan’s first locally made soy sauce in India
Mumbai: Chiba Shoyu Co. Ltd., a Japanese soy sauce manufacturer with over 170 years of heritage, and Kampai, a renowned Japanese restaurant in India, have made culinary history by unveiling India’s first locally produced authentic Japanese soy sauce. Supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), this initiative marks a significant step in the ‘Development of the Soybeans Industry through Japanese Traditional Koji in India’, promoting sustainable practices and local enterprise growth.
The launch event at Kampai saw key figures like Kampai, founder & MD Avantika Sinha Bahl, Ankur Chawla Kampai, Chiba Shoyu, president, Kyosuke Iida, JICA India, senior representative, Tomohiro Arima and representatives from the Japanese Embassy. Guests savored the soy sauce through a curated menu, showcasing its potential to elevate the Indian culinary scene.
Commenting on the initiative, Arima said, “It is an immense pleasure to be part of this collaboration, which is not just about introducing a Japanese product to the Indian market but also represents a deeper cultural exchange between Japan and India. The partnership between Chiba Shoyu, known for its expertise in authentic soy sauce production, and Kampai, recognised for its commitment to bringing true Japanese flavors to the Indian culinary scene, sets a new benchmark for quality and taste. Through this initiative, we aim to empower local industries by sharing Japanese expertise and contribute to the ‘Make In India’ initiative in line with the Indian government’s goals.”
The collaboration began with a pilot project in November 2023 at Kampai’s facility in Gurgaon, where soy sauce production was initiated using locally sourced materials and Indian workers, with guidance from Chiba Shoyu’s technical experts. After a meticulous 10-month fermentation process, the first batch was ready by September 2024. Chiba Shoyu’s team conducted quality control checks throughout, ensuring that traditional koji fermentation methods were upheld.
Looking ahead, Chiba Shoyu and Kampai are planning to establish a full-scale manufacturing facility in Gurgaon or Haryana to expand production for both domestic and international markets, including the Middle East and Europe. The facility is set to begin commercial production within a year, promising to generate local employment and foster sustainable processing practices.
JICA remains dedicated to supporting ventures that drive sustainable development, boost local industry, and reinforce cultural connections between India and Japan. The success of this project serves as a model for future collaborations in the food processing sector and beyond, aligning with JICA’s mission to create enduring value for communities in both nations.
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Wipro hires 7,500 freshers, withholds FY27 hiring outlook
Profit rises to Rs 3,522 crore, Rs 15,000 crore buyback announced.
MUMBAI- Hiring may be on, but visibility is off, Wipro is adding talent even as it pauses the crystal ball. The company hired 7,500 freshers in FY26 but stopped short of offering any hiring outlook for FY27, underscoring the uncertainty gripping the IT services sector as it pivots towards an AI-led operating model.
The disclosure came alongside its fourth-quarter earnings, where management flagged volatile demand conditions and refrained from committing to future workforce expansion. Chief human resources officer Saurabh Govil noted that over 3,000 of the total hires were onboarded in the March quarter alone, signalling continued intake despite a lack of clarity on deployment pipelines.
This divergence active hiring without forward guidance reflects a broader industry pattern where talent acquisition continues even as deal conversions remain uneven and client spending cycles stretch. Wipro expects its IT services revenue for the June quarter to range between a decline of 2 per cent and flat growth sequentially in constant currency terms, reinforcing near-term caution.
Chief executive officer Srini Pallia pointed to artificial intelligence as both a disruptor and an opportunity. He said evolving client priorities are pushing the company towards outcome-driven engagements, with Wipro increasingly focusing on a services-as-software model through its AI Native Business and Platforms unit. The shift marks a structural change from traditional headcount-led growth to AI-enabled delivery frameworks.
The company has already committed over $1 billion to its AI ecosystem, with investors closely watching how these investments translate into revenue. For now, the numbers present a mixed picture. Net profit rose sequentially to Rs 3,522 crore, while revenue grew 3 per cent to Rs 24,236 crore. However, core IT services performance remained under pressure, with full-year revenue declining 0.3 per cent in dollar terms and 1.6 per cent in constant currency.
Large deal bookings offered a counterpoint, rising 45.4 per cent year-on-year to $7.8 billion, highlighting a widening gap between deal wins and actual revenue realisation. On a quarterly basis, IT services revenue slipped 1.2 per cent sequentially, signalling continued softness in execution.
Margins, however, told a more optimistic story. Operating margins expanded to 17.3 per cent in the fourth quarter, up from 14.8 per cent in the previous quarter, reflecting improved cost discipline. That said, the company cautioned that upcoming wage hikes and the ramp-up of large deals could exert pressure going forward.
Attrition stood at 13.8 per cent in the March quarter, indicating stabilisation after periods of elevated churn. Alongside its earnings, Wipro also announced a Rs 15,000 crore share buyback, reinforcing its focus on shareholder returns, with a payout ratio of 88 per cent over the past three years.
Taken together, the numbers capture a company in transition investing in AI, maintaining hiring momentum, but navigating a demand environment where growth is uneven and visibility remains limited.
