Japan Tobacco (JT) has plenty to puff about. The company secures about 55% of the Japanese cigarette market -- the fourth largest worldwide. It holds eight of the country's top 10 brands, including Mild Seven, Seven Stars, and Caster. Globally, JT is the #3 tobacco maker, trailing Philip Morris International and BAT. Driving growth, its JT International arm, which owns Britain's Gallaher Group, makes and markets Camel, Salem, and Winston brands outside the US (once made by Reynolds American's RJR Tobacco), and others. JT also has holdings in the food and pharmaceutical industries. In 1985 the company shifted from a state monopoly to a public company; some 50% of JT is held by Japan's Minister of Finance.