Derabells Investment Establishes 'Saiji Japan Co., Ltd.' to Revitalize the Confectionery Industry and Drive Business Succession

## Establishment and Background of Saiji Japan Co., Ltd.
Derabells Investment LLC established "Saiji Japan Co., Ltd." (Representative: Yuta Ishino) on May 19, 2026, as a comprehensive operating company for confectionery pop-up businesses. As a wholly-owned subsidiary, Saiji Japan has completed the initial restructuring of the confectionery pop-up business and has commenced full-scale operations. While the pop-up model offers high space efficiency by utilizing vacant spaces in department stores and commercial facilities, the market has faced significant challenges such as labor shortages and business sustainability due to the difficulty in single-handedly managing craftsmanship, supply chain management, and sales training.

## Business Reconstruction Through Three Core Domains
Leveraging the franchising and management support expertise of Derabells Investment, Saiji Japan is reconstructing the business through three key pillars:

1. **Original Brand Business**: Launching four self-operated brand lines to establish operational expertise and serve as a field for market verification in major department stores.
2. **Franchise Business**: Designing an industry-leading business model requiring an initial investment of 7.3 million JPY, with 0% royalty and no need for a fixed retail store.
3. **OEM and Wholesale Business**: Providing one-stop services for private brands of department stores and retailers, ranging from product planning and recipe development to manufacturing and logistics.

These three domains are designed to complement one another, enhancing manufacturing scale and distribution networks, thereby establishing a competitive advantage in the high-barrier confectionery pop-up market.

## Future Prospects and Global Strategy
Starting in the Kanto region, Saiji Japan plans to expand nationwide in stages. The company intends to actively engage in M&A to acquire confectionery businesses facing succession challenges, positioning itself as an "infrastructure for business succession" in the industry. In the long term, it aims to expand globally, focusing on Asia and North America through master franchise agreements and direct retail outlets, with the goal of introducing Japanese confectionery culture to the world. CEO Yuta Ishino expressed his strong commitment, stating, "Strengthening the confectionery industry and ensuring its economic viability is the most honest way to preserve this culture for the next century."