Founders of Wakunaga

The Wakunaga group owes its origin to two gentlemen,a scientist and a banker. Dr. Eugene Schnell, former Professor of Berlin University, immigrated to Japan in the 1930's, when he was invited by a leading Japanese chemical company to build its technical foundation. After World War II, he served under General MacArthur heading the Drug Administration of Japan. This experience led to his belief that the Japanese people needed basic natural nutrition to regain their physical strength and protect themselves from adverse postwar health conditions. In 1954, Dr. Schnell met a banker of insight, Mr. Manji Wakunaga, who emphasized the obligation of the pharmaceutical industry to devote itself to research and development rather than misleading advertising. Sharing the same philosophy, these two men joined forces to develop natural and beneficial products and to market such products with truthful information.

In 1955, Mr. Manji Wakunaga established Wakunaga Pharmaceutical Company in Osaka, Japan. Shortly thereafter, Dr. Schnell developed an aging extraction process for garlic, which resulted in a unique Aged Garlic Extractä preparation. After establishing the foundation of the market in Japan, Mr. Wakunaga turned his eyes overseas. In 1972, together with his son, Gisuke Wakunaga, he established Wakunaga of America, headquartered in Honolulu, Hawaii. He was now able to extend the distribution of Aged Garlic Extract under the “KYOLIC®” brand to Americans and other health conscious people of the world.