JAPAN: Kao Corp. posted a 4% rise in consolidated pretax profit for the year ended March 31, setting a record profit for the 23rd year in a row, company executives announced. The $1.1 billion profit will allow Kao to increase its shareholders’ annual dividend, but the company must still improve the profit margins on its existing household products if it is to maintain growth, according to executives. Kao’s overall sales rose 4% to $8.24 billion, including a 4% rise in revenue from household pr...