【biz-seed】Towels Weaved by Wind Power Only

Ikeuchi Towel Co., Ltd.
Towels weaved by Wind Power Only with Utmost Safety and Reliability

“Imabari” is a town known for textile production since EDO era. Ikeuchi Towel Co., ltd. is a towel producer with 25 employees based in Imabari since foundation 56 years ago. Starting off in towel-for-export business, they withdrew from overseas due to 1980’s depression. When the Japanese towel industry was suffering from cheap products pouring in from other Asian countries, they decided to pursue “quality” as their competitive advantage.
Aiming first priority “safety” and “quality”, they switched to organic materials, got ISO9001 and ISO 14001 certifications, and were accredited the strictest class-1 of ECOTEX STANDARD in 2001. They also started to purchase green electricity certificates from 2002, which explains why the towels are called “Weaved by wind power only”.

In 2002, they appeared at the Home Textile Show in New York with the sensational display saying “Cotton should be Herbicides Free”. Won the Best New Product Award, distribution in USA at high-end interior shops was realized. Their success abroad came through to Japan, and since after Prime Minister Koizumi (then) mentioned about Ikeuchi Towel in his administrative policy speech, they enjoy a burst of popularity.
Good quality and durability is the most important for the environment. Accumulated trust under a motto “Utmost Reliability and Minimum Environmental Load” gained strong customers’ confidence!　　

【biz-seed】NOBORI Shopping Bag

Additional
Fashionably Re-use


ADditional is a brand managed by an eco-designer, Kayoko Yonaga, with the concept of “fashionably re-use.” She is creating eco-bags by reusing NOBORI, advertisement banners often seen waiving outside of stores in Japan. NOBORI is unique to Japan, with a shape different from orthodox flags-- a vertically long colorful cloth attached to a rod. Its origin is said to date back to the YAYOI period (BC10-AD3 century). Throughout the history of Japan, many types of NOBORI were made as marks to differentiate allies from enemies, with patterns or KANJI characters or family emblems printed.

Ms. Yonaga focused attention on the fact that NOBORI are disposed after a short advertising period, and started to gather pieces from shops to remake them into eco-bags by handiwork. She is integrating “Additional” value as a bag on the NOBORI “AD,” which is the origin of her brand name. The virtue of ADditional eco bags are that they use otherwise disposed NOBORI textile, resulting in waste reduction. Another aspect is the way of production. Since they are hand made, you can even ask for your own original made-to-order bag from the unique patterns.　Start a Stylish Eco-life with This Only One Eco-bag.

Don't Lose your Earrings

Do you have the experience of losing your pierce earrings because the post came off? Well, I do, and it is quite disappointing when there is only one side left and you can't use it anymore. Posts tend to get looser as time goes by, and it is difficult to find just the post that fits your earring.
Ms. Kikunaga, a 28 years old lady in Tokyo, came up with earrings posts that don't come off AND fits whatever kind of earring. She came up with the idea of "a post that doesn't come off" a few years ago, when her boyfriend became angry at her because she lost an earring that he gave her as a present. She drew the design of a post that can fit any diameter and strong, gaining a hint from mechanical pencils. After three years of development, finally she launched a earrings post in cooperation with 8 small companies from Nagano Pref. They all provide tiny tiny parts of the post, crystalizing in this 3mm piece of idea.

If you don't want to waste your earrings anymore by losing the post or one side, try out the Chrysmela post!

Chrysmela Catch
Sold within Japan
http://chrysmela-catch.com/

We are on TV :)

I was on "Business Entrepreneurs", an internet TV program hosted by itv-japan.com, as a guest of Mr. Dave Mori.
First time on TV, and it was a great experience. I actually enjoyed talking with Dave that I forgot about the camera...
The story was mainly about how / why we started this business, but you will also be able to get a glimpse of our magazine and some products that are on it.
Please take a look!

http://www.itv-japan.com/Business-Entrepreneurs.asp

KOMAWARI

KOMAWARI means:
1. ability to turn in a small turns (radius)
2. can adapt quickly to new circumstances because of small organization

The first meaning will apply for compact cars or bicycles. I'm not a driver with technique myself, so I always rent compact cars on vacations...
The second meaning is applied for companies or any kind of organization. KOMAWARI is realized because the organization is small, or has a smooth decision making process, or because everyone is looking in the same direction (or vision).
In the modern world, when things change so rapidly, KOMAWARI is the keyword to success. If you are an owner of a small company, keep it small... and enjoy its ability to turn in small turns.

Small is beautiful!

Lunch with Elaine Young

Elaine, the founder and designer of LABrynth, will be leaving Tokyo in the end of March. We've known eachother since last June, when she arrived in Japan.
She will be in our next issue of Ecotwaza Times, and we really want you to read the full article, of what she is trying to achieve. We had a small fare-well lunch on Friday.
She calls herself an "INITIATOR" rather than a fashion designer, because she is trying to initiate dialogues using her DNA jewelry as a tool (see the previous post to find out what it is). It is not coincidence that Elaine and I randomly started talking at a cafe in Omotesando because I was sitting next to her table and became interested in her artistic bag and jewelry catalogue. That was what her designe work is all about!

So a comment from Elaine about Tokyo...
“I’ve always been very comfortable and attracted to Tokyo ever since I first came here when I was 13. I think that the role aesthetics play in the rituals of Japanese culture historically and in modern lifestyle naturally attracts curious personalities – specifically those in the arts. And, as a result of this, I think I’ve gained a new appreciation for the role that aesthetics can play politically and socially. I’ve met numerous of inspiring people from all over the world during my stay – and am happy to say that I’m sure many of them will be life-long friends.”

Yes, I am pretty sure that our friendship will be life-long!
Good luck, and we will see eachother again... for sure!

How to Exchange Name Cards

Name Cards are called MEISHI in Japanese.
Have you ever had trouble exchanging name cards in Japan?
Well here's a quiz.


Q) In which manner should you exchange name cards with a Japanese businessman? Choose the correct answer from below.


A) Softly throw cards on the table in front of each other.
B) Bow three times and the person who bowed faster will get to receive the other’s card.
C) Look into each others’ eyes and exchange cards at the height of breasts.

-ANSWER-
The answer is C. Name cards are referred to “face” in Japan, and treating the counterpart’s card poorly is considered to be extremely rude. It is manner to hold out cards to each other with both hands, and the more important or elderly one should receive the other’s card first at the height of his/her breast. After exchanging, put the card on top of your card holder and place it on the table (or hold it in front of you) while talking. Delicately put it away into your card holder before ending the conversation, and be careful not to stick it into your pocket or wallet. You will be considered polite if you can readily go through this procedure.

I don't know if this article can be categorized as "sustainable custom", but at least it is a custom valued heavily in Japan, and it will be important for you to remember if you want to build a sustainable relationship with a Japanese business partner!