Kao Corporation achieved great success in the personal care products industry with Biore Pore Pack launched in 1996 in Japan. However, after the successful launch, Biore Pore Pack faced strong competition which threatened its brand and market positioning. (1) Therefore, a critical analysis of the marketing environment is necessary. SWOT analysis. Strengths Weaknesses • Potential internal strengths • Comprehensive product fields • Broad distribution channel • Expansion based on brand value • Pioneering advantage • Less market share in global markets compared to domestic markets • Incapable to expand the market Opportunities Threats • High demand • Potential markets • Intense competition1. Strengths:• Potential internal strengths As stated in Kao Business Activity (2008), members of individual Kao Group companies and divisions operating on a global basis are engaged in Yoki-Monozukuri-focused business activities that will truly satisfy customers of Kao and will allow Kao to share joy with them. (Source: Kao Corporation – Business Activity. Available at: http://www.kao.co.jp/en/company/activities/index.html) Keep in mind the motto of “Integrate diversity to create innovative solutions products”, Kao's research and development team always keeps track of the changing tastes and needs of the market in order to satisfy its customers which becomes more difficult to acquire or even maintain due to the wide range of competitive products business activities, be it research and development, sales, marketing, manufacturing and distribution, Kao has potential internal strength that helps not only sustain its business activities but also differentiate itself from other competitors.• ...... half of document ...... 6 month confirmation. Pond's has aggressively shared market share of the Pore Pack with its product also called Clear Pore Strip, which claims to have the same usage and relatively the same packaging. As normal practice in business competition, Kao encountered not only Pond's but also Oxy Blackout which is in paste form, face mask which also claims to remove dirt from pores, Sasha nose mask for men and even imitations in the hair industry posterior pores. . Being the latest entrant, Pond's has accelerated the race to share the market with its advanced product, a modified version of Clear Pore Strip, called T-Zone Clear Pore Strip, used for 3 areas of the face including forehead, chin and nose which are easily visible as oily. Since Pond's is a major competitor as such, Kao faces a disadvantage in terms of product categories as Biore Pore Pack, at this time, is only for the nose area.