KAPOK JAPAN Co., Ltd.
~Japan once again becomes the textile center of the world~Start of new era of sustainable fiber development
From the perspectives of producers, consumers, and the global environment, we aim to create products that are close to everyone involved through open innovation.
……
KAPOK JAPAN, which operates the nut-based fashion brand KAPOK KNOT, has formed a consortium with five companies as a research and development partnership for KAPOK, the “down that grows on trees,” and has entered into a capital and business alliance.
Through research and development of sustainable and functional materials and brand business, we aim to realize a world where everyone can adopt sustainable options at zero cost and further expand our business.
[Image 1: https://prtimes.jp/i/62588/51/resize/d62588-51-befd85508c6c884ee784-10.jpg&s3=62588-51-03119076b5fa330140b034a05ea8d11a-3900×2894.jpg] KAPOK JAPAN will launch a materials division on April 1, 2024, and aim to develop a new generation of sustainable fibers by developing plant-based x tech materials centered on kapok.
KAPOK JAPAN’s history
Kapok, a plant native to Southeast Asia, from which the company’s name comes from, has traditionally been used to make cushions and pillows. KAPOK JAPAN found kapok material, which was difficult to utilize in the textile industry, as an intersection of fashion and
sustainability, and created the brand KAPOK KNOT in October 2019.
[Image 2: https://prtimes.jp/i/62588/51/resize/d62588-51-8db7c233deb4b25d09c1-8.png&s3=62588-51-7cf674407f8baa49af326c956fffbad9-2300×1331.png ]
■KAPOK KNOT (own brand business)
https://kapok-knot.com/
[Image 3: https://prtimes.jp/i/62588/51/resize/d62588-51-edcf9806f63a4a4ff5a6-9.jpg&s3=62588-51-2c4d6c900c1958137cc1ffe6943048d6-1280×720.jpg] In October 2023, we were selected for the J-Startup Impact, a startup company development support program promoted by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. Developing an apparel brand that utilizes sustainable materials can serve as a role model for new business succession.” (Excerpt from a comment from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry) We are looking to expand our brand globally in 2024, and are also planning business negotiations with a European luxury brand in April of the same year.
Efforts to address unresolved issues in the world. Capital and business alliance with 5 companies
In the apparel industry, which is said to be the second most polluting industry in the world, replacing animal-derived materials with plant-derived materials is becoming a global trend, and the search for alternative materials for feathers is progressing around the world. The price of feathers is unstable and it is an issue in the context of decarbonization, but due to its high functionality, it is difficult to find an alternative material. At KAPOK JAPAN, we have been conducting research and development on kapok processing technology, but this time we have formed a consortium and entered into a capital and business alliance to bring about innovation in the development of more advanced materials that we cannot achieve on our own.
This consortium includes all shareholders involved in manufacturing: Kaji Seisakusho Co., Ltd. in textile machinery, Sansho Co., Ltd. in chemical research, Futaba Shoji Co., Ltd. in sewing, Takanobu Kono in EC/AI, and Daisuke Yamazaki in brand creation. This is the team involved. Together with this consortium, we will work on “developing new materials that balance sustainability and user benefits,” which is a difficult problem that the world has yet to solve.
KAPOK JAPAN Co., Ltd. Representative Director Kisho Fukai
[Image 4: https://prtimes.jp/i/62588/51/resize/d62588-51-088c2d359e30c19b4147-11.jpg&s3=62588-51-94773595b41b64b18417087ab3292bb9-3900×2599.jpg] A new era of sustainable fiber development with plant-based x technology. I am truly excited to be able to move forward with this business together with our wonderful shareholders. We at KAPOK JAPAN have been receiving an increasing number of inquiries from overseas, and after digging deeper into the reason, we are convinced that “the center of the world’s textile industry is returning to Japan once again.” Thanks to its advanced synthetic fiber technology, Japan has supported Japan’s rapid economic growth as the textile center of the world. Today, many of the plants that attract attention around the world live in the warm climate of Southeast Asia, but it is difficult to handle them from Europe or America. Japan’s textile industry, which is physically and culturally close to Southeast Asia and has developed synthetic fiber technology, is attracting attention from apparel brands around the world. At KAPOK JAPAN, we will continue to evolve into a “material tech company that is kind to people and the earth,” using kapok as our first step, and using plant-based technology to be both functional and environmentally friendly.
-Profile- Born in 1991 in Suita City, Osaka Prefecture. After graduating from Keio University in 2014, he worked for a real estate venture and a major textile manufacturer before joining his family business, Futaba Shoji Co., Ltd., an apparel manufacturer founded 78 years ago. He had doubts about the current apparel industry, which is based on mass production and mass disposal, and at the end of 2018, he encountered kapok and was convinced of his destiny. Starting with the KAPOK KNOT brand concept, we started a new business through
crowdfunding. In 2020, he established KAPOK JAPAN Co., Ltd., centered on the operation of KAPOK KNOT, and is currently participating in the management of both Atotsugi and the startup company.
Comments from each capital and business alliance partner
Kaji Seisakusho Co., Ltd. Representative Director Jiro Kaji
[Image 5: https://prtimes.jp/i/62588/51/resize/d62588-51-1e15bf2826fae9772330-1.jpg&s3=62588-51-b488955ecfd95163efdff34b55991423-3900×2907.jpg] I am very happy to be a part of KAPOK JAPAN’s new phase and to be able to work with our wonderful members to face and solve challenges and commercialize sustainable materials. I don’t think it will be an easy path, but these members can do it! Let’s revitalize Japanese textiles! -profile-
Representative of Kaji Seisakusho, a Kaji group that aims to “revitalize Japanese textiles.” The group companies include Kaji Nylon, Kajilene, and Kaji Knit, and they produce everything from yarn processing to woven and knitted fabrics. We develop TO&FRO and K-3B as factory brands and cover the textile industry from upstream to downstream. Personal Profile: After graduating from National College of Technology, engaged in design at a textile machinery manufacturer. When the family business expanded into Indonesia, he joined the family business and started it up in Indonesia. He assumed his current position after working in Indonesia for 10 years.
Sansho Co., Ltd. Representative Director and President Atsushi Karakawa
[Image 6: https://prtimes.jp/i/62588/51/resize/d62588-51-2a304a6e53f014934655-1.jpg&s3=62588-51-1a401ef5a193b709f508e8943a34a88b-3900×2484.jpg] I am very happy and excited to be able to participate in the consortium that was launched mainly by KAPOK JAPAN. We would like to actively contribute our materials and ideas to the development of materials with a future based on “Farm to Fashion.” Humanity has continued to innovate and have achieved the lifestyle and technology we have today. Let’s move toward the future together, believing that this initiative will be the starting point for new innovations and lifestyles!
-profile-
A specialized trading company established in 1955. Our biggest feature is that although we are a trading company, we have our own research institute, and we have the technical ability to discover and develop unique products. By organically collaborating between this technical strength and the sales department, we are able to provide optimal proposals that meet market needs. The main products we handle are diverse, including naturally derived water-soluble polymers, nonwoven fabrics, functional papers, and plastic nets. The company has also adopted an employee stock ownership system since its founding, advocating a spirit of equality that belongs to everyone.
Personal profile: Born in 1969. Born in Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture. After completing the master’s program at Miyazaki University Graduate School of Agriculture, he joined Sansho in 1995 as a researcher. In June 2013, became Director of the Central Research Institute. In September 2020, he was appointed representative director and president.
Individual Investor Takanobu Kono
[Image 7: https://prtimes.jp/i/62588/51/resize/d62588-51-9c5a88305f5860314787-1.jpg&s3=62588-51-1fc2c0895fe57e8e2e677167a20601ca-3900×2688.jpg] I am really happy to be able to be involved in this way with KAPOK JAPAN, which I have supported as a fan for a long time. But it all starts here! We would like to do our best to overcome all difficulties together and become a world-class material tech company from Japan, based on our know-how in cutting edge technology centered on AI. -profile-
MMOL Holdings Co., Ltd./Representative Director/CAIO. Shopify Japan’s first evangelist.
Born in 1982. Born and raised in the downtown area of Tokyo. The 15th generation of the Kono family, whose ancestors were karakuri doll makers. Since 2000, he has been working as a freelance CG creator, composer, and designer. Founded Fracta Co., Ltd. in 2013 and became representative director. In 2020, bought out to a listed company. In January 2024, he resigned as the representative of Frakta. In February 2024, MMOL Holdings Co., Ltd. was established and became
representative director.
Futaba Shoji Co., Ltd. President and Representative Director Nobuhisa Fukai
[Image 8: https://prtimes.jp/i/62588/51/resize/d62588-51-a046be8e5ff9a13d88e2-1.jpg&s3=62588-51-f918256b00f712a9023640584387b14e-3900×2853.jpg] I am proud to be able to work with KAPON JAPAN towards its business purpose of creating a sustainable future that is kind to people and the earth. Uncharted territory is difficult, but if you set your mind and walk with hope, a path will surely open up for you. I am convinced that our deep joy also comes from this.
-Profile-An apparel manufacturer that was founded in 1947 as a spin-off from Fukaki Keori, whose original business was cashmere. In addition to raw materials, we have also developed products at our own factories and trade with the Soviet Union, and currently focus on women’s clothing, as well as products with structural patents, regardless of where they are used, such as sports, catalogs, and storefronts. Proposes and sells products to a variety of brands. Personal profile: Born in Izumiotsu City, Osaka Prefecture. After graduating from Keio University, he worked for a major apparel company before joining his family business, Futaba Shoji, in 1983. Current position since 2005.
Warm Heart Cool Head Co., Ltd. Representative Director Daisuke Yamazaki
[Image 9: https://prtimes.jp/i/62588/51/resize/d62588-51-86b5139cc453d769f56e-1.jpg&s3=62588-51-d51ab89584c307c1ad1cbaaf3a1e5cb9-3900×2779.jpg] KAPOK JAPAN is finally seriously trying to change the world. I am very excited to take this new step together! Behind the scenes of glamorous fashion, there are various social issues and the dirty nature of manufacturing, and KAPOK JAPAN is a company that seriously faces these issues. What kind of world will KAPOK JAPAN create in the future? I hope that everyone will walk together.
– Representative Profile – After graduating from university, worked at Goldman Sachs Securities, then launched Mother House Co., Ltd. in 2006 and became representative director and vice president. In 2021, he established Warm Heart Cool Head Co., Ltd., which runs management seminars. He also serves as a director of the Japan Blind Soccer Association.
KAPOK JAPAN Co., Ltd. Overview
A fashion company that makes products using kapok, a material derived from tree nuts. Shocked by the mass production and mass disposal system of the apparel industry, which is said to be the world’s second-largest environmentally polluting industry, the company’s president came across the material kapok and decided to start the company. Kapok is a plant that grows naturally in Southeast Asia, and is 1/8th the weight of cotton and has the ability to absorb moisture and generate heat.However, due to the lightness and shortness of its fibers, it is difficult to process it into thread, and many companies have been unable to commercialize it. I’ve given up. In 2019, after research and development with a major domestic textile manufacturer, we succeeded in making kapok sheets.
We will continue to strive to become Japan’s leading sustainable materials company, with the aim of creating products that are close to the people involved from the time a product is made until it is delivered, from the perspectives of producers, consumers, and the global environment.
-Awards-
2019 “Start next innovator 2019” Silicon Valley selection grand prize sponsored by Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry/JETRO
2021 “Industry Co-Creation Summit Crafted Catapult” Grand Prix 2021 “Star★Atopitch Japan” Atotsugi Venture Award sponsored by Nikkei Shimbun 2021 “Environmental Startup” sponsored by the Ministry of the Environment Excellent Startup 2022 Grand Prize of “Kansai Business Plan Contest” sponsored by KFS
2023 Selected as “J-startup Impact” by Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Business Activities: Product planning, trading, and sales of apparel products Representative: Kito Fukai
Headquarters: 1-7-18 Senriyama Higashi, Suita City, Osaka Prefecture Official website: https://kapok-japan.com/
Instagram: @kapok_knot_jp
More details about this release:
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000051.000062588.html