The United States has Hershey's, the United Kingdom has Cadbury, and a trip to Japan's candy section will reveal bar upon bar made by Meiji. The first mass-produced chocolate bar was introduced in 1918 by Taichiro Morinaga (famous for making HI-CHEW). Chocolate took off from there and became popular all over Japan in the 1920s. Meiji released its first milk chocolate bar in 1926, taking the treat to a higher level. The company now makes over 20 different chocolate brands for sale across Asia and in the United States, through Meiji America.