Yubiken Partners with Indonesian Consulate General in Osaka to Support Japan Market Entry, Guiding 8 Brands Selected from 60 Applicants to Kyoto Organic EXPO

The Association for Seriously Studying Import Business (commonly known as Yubiken; Representative: Hideaki Ohtake; Tokyo) provided comprehensive support as the official consultant to the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Osaka for eight Indonesian companies. These companies, exhibited by the Consulate and the Indonesia Trade Promotion Center Osaka (ITPC Osaka), participated in the 3rd Organic Lifestyle EXPO West in Kyoto 2026, held at the Miyakomesse in Kyoto City on June 12-13, 2026. Yubiken's support covered everything from selection and seminars to business matching.

The eight exhibiting companies were chosen from about 60 applicants after a roughly four-month selection process.
The lineup featured brands with unique stories, such as jewelry and bags upcycled from waste materials, sustainable fashion using natural materials, and natural fragrances. The Consul General of Indonesia in Osaka also attended and participated in the opening ceremony's ribbon-cutting.

■ Background and Process
Following the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo, interest in organic, sustainable, and eco-friendly products has been growing in Japan, particularly in the Kansai region. Amid this trend, the Indonesian Consulate General consulted Yubiken's representative, Hideaki Ohtake, about the potential for Indonesian sustainable products to enter the Japanese market.
Ohtake advised on the potential of upcycled and sustainable products and promising categories in Japan. He remained continuously involved for the next four months through all phases: setting selection criteria, document screening, interviews, final selection, and exhibition preparation.
This connection was sparked by an 11th-term student of the Yubiken Trade School who works at the Indonesian Consulate and wanted to 'connect Indonesia and Japan through Mr. Ohtake's trade business.' This is a case where the school's network developed into an international business partnership.

■ Selection Process
Applicants: Approx. 62 companies. Passed document screening: Approx. 12 companies. Final selection: 8 companies.
Yubiken participated from the selection stage, conducting a comprehensive evaluation based on sales potential in the Japanese market, product quality, story, and sustainability.

■ Yubiken's Activities
(1) Exhibition Support: Supported booth design and display methods to maximize product appeal at the Organic Lifestyle EXPO West.
(2) Japan Market Consulting: Held seminars on Japanese consumer needs, sales trends, pricing, packaging, and promotion strategies.
(3) Buyer Matching Support: Created business meeting opportunities by leveraging Yubiken's network of importers, retailers, and crowdfunding operators.

■ Overview of the 8 Exhibiting Brands
1. Saraswati Papers (Bali): Founded 1995. Manually recycles paper without chemicals.
2. Six Scents (Jakarta): Natural fragrance brand upcycling local waste materials.
3. POPSIKLUS (Cimahi, West Java): Upcycles milk cartons into bags. Good Design Award winner.
4. WN White Noise (Jakarta): Bag brand using recycled nylon. Has experience on Japan's Makuake crowdfunding platform.
5. Komang Tri Jewelry (Bali): Sustainable jewelry upcycling waste glass bottles.
6. Di Kala Hujan (Bali): Botanical jewelry preserving real flowers in resin.
7. Batik Wiliwang (Magetan, East Java): Eco-print brand using natural dyes.
8. Prajan Eco (Yogyakarta): Slow fashion brand using a leaf-pounding dye technique.

■ Exhibition Overview
Name: 3rd Organic Lifestyle EXPO West in Kyoto 2026
Dates: June 12-13, 2026
Venue: Miyakomesse, Kyoto
Organizer: Organic Forum Japan (OFJ), et al.

■ Comment from Hideaki Ohtake, Yubiken Representative
'I realized once again that Indonesia has many excellent brands still unknown in Japan. The 8 selected brands will resonate with Japanese consumers who value stories and philosophies. We will continue to act as a bridge between Japan and the world.'

■ Comment from John Tjahjanto Bustami, Consul General of Indonesia in Osaka
'Through this exhibition, I hope that Indonesia's natural materials, handmade quality, and eco-friendly manufacturing will reach the people of Japan.'