Morinaga HI-CHEW Fruit Chews

HI-CHEW is a popular Japanese fruit chew candy produced by Morinaga & Co. Originally released in 1975, the product was created to solve the cultural taboo of taking food out of one's mouth, providing a chewing gum-like texture that can be swallowed safely. The brand has since expanded into a global phenomenon with a wide variety of fruit flavors.

While the brand originated in Minato, Tokyo, manufacturing is now spread across several global locations to meet international demand. This includes primary facilities in Japan, a major production plant in the United States (North Carolina), and facilities in Taiwan and China. The brand continues to be wholly owned and managed by its founding company, Morinaga & Co., Ltd., which remains a staple of the Japanese confectionery industry.