TOKYO -- Kikkoman's operating profit in North America likely will inch up to nearly 17 billion yen ($147 million) for the year through March, riding the tailwinds of the dollar's appreciation against the yen.
The Japanese soy sauce maker projected a 6% decline for the segment to 15.6 billion yen, but the dollar's unexpected rise has lifted yen-based earnings of the company's North American business. The segment contributes almost half of Kikkoman's operating profit.