Kao Corporation is a Japanese cosmetics and chemical company operating through the four business areas of Beauty Care, Human Health Care, Fabric and Home Care and Chemicals. Kao was founded in 1887 as a domestic toiletry soap manufacturer, became incorporated in 1940 and now owns a large number of subsidiaries. Kao Corporation employs 6,970 workers (33,026 consolidated companies employees) at locations across the world and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.