Leading seasoning maker Ajinomoto Co. will try to expand its operations through mergers and acquisitions of companies mainly in the food business, President Norio Yamaguchi said in a recent interview.

"We intend to study M&As with companies, including overseas firms, in a proactive manner," the 65-year-old Yamaguchi said.

The food industry is realigning amid slower growth in the market due to the declining birthrate and the recession. For example, dairy products maker Meiji Dairies Corp. and major confectioner Meiji Seika Kaisha Ltd. said in September they will merge operations under a holding company in April.

Yamaguchi said his company wants to "buy time" by taking other companies under its wing to expand its operations.

"Now that a strong yen and the recession have enabled us to buy companies at home and abroad cheaply, we will actively pursue M&As if we can expect synergies," he said.

Ajinomoto announced the purchase of condiment maker Amoy Food Group Co., a Hong Kong-based affiliate of France's Group Danone SA, in January 2006.

It said in February 2007 it was forging a capital and business alliance with major seasoning producer Yamaki Co. and turned soft drink maker Calpis Co. into a wholly owned subsidiary in October 2007.

Asked whether Ajinomoto will slash its product prices like other food makers now that ingredient prices appear to have peaked, Yamaguchi said: "We shouldn't opt for a price cut so readily. We will promote the nonprice aspects of our products such as ease of use."