Responding to "Shoe Dampness & Odor Worries" during Rainy Season; Over 500 Applications Received for "Karatto Hero" Shoe Deodorizer & Dryer within 24 Hours of TV Feature

Yamajin Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Kora-cho, Inugami-gun, Shiga Prefecture; President: Yasuko Sekiya) announced that its shoe dehumidifier and deodorizer, "Shoshu Onsite Karatto Hero," received over 500 applications within 24 hours of its feature on the "Information Cafe" corner of Yomiuri TV's "Osaka Honwaka TV" program, broadcast on Friday, May 29, 2026.

The rainy season is a time when discomfort related to feet tends to increase, such as difficulty drying wet shoes, odor buildup in entrances and shoe cabinets, and concerns about odor when taking off shoes. We interpret this strong response not just as temporary attention due to the TV feature, but as an indication that many consumers suffer from dampness and odor inside their shoes.

Our company has been involved in silica gel desiccants for over 70 years. Leveraging our expertise in desiccants cultivated through products for pharmaceuticals, we have recently focused on developing products that address the everyday concerns of moisture and odor in the home.

Addressing "Dampness and Odor Inside Shoes," Often Postponed During the Rainy Season

While measures for room humidity and indoor moisture are often discussed during the rainy season, dampness and odor inside shoes are concerns that people tend to put off, even if they notice them.

In recent years, due to guerrilla downpours and heatwaves, "foot stress" such as "wet shoes not drying," "odor accumulating in the entrance," and "concerns about odor when taking off shoes" has been increasing.

In fact, survey results show that 89.5% of people nationwide are concerned about their shoes getting wet or moisture in their shoe cabinets during the rainy season. Furthermore, a survey on commuting items during the rainy season revealed that 74.0% of men aged 20-50 have experienced trouble with their rainy season commuting items. Specific concerns mentioned include "discomfort from wet shoes and socks" and "concerns about odor due to stuffiness."

Against this backdrop, our company is expanding its efforts beyond desiccants being mere "supporting roles for protecting food and pharmaceuticals" to proposing lifestyle solutions that transform "invisible discomforts" in daily life into comfort.

Simply Place in Shoes: Addresses Foot Discomfort from Both Moisture Absorption and Odor Removal

While many products on the market specialize in either odor control or moisture control, "Karatto Hero" tackles shoe discomfort from both aspects: moisture absorption and odor removal.

Its ease of use, simply by placing it in shoes, is a key feature, as is its reusability through sun-drying.

In our own experiments, we confirmed that it eliminates over 99.8% of ammonia odor, a cause of bad smells, within 2 hours. We also confirmed that it removes over 99% of "isovaleric acid," which is cited as a cause of stuffy sock odor, after one day.

*Results obtained under our company's test conditions; effectiveness may vary depending on the usage environment.

It can be used in various daily situations, such as for wet shoes on rainy days, shoes worn for long hours, shoes after exercise, and for controlling odors that tend to accumulate in entrances and shoe cabinets.

Simply Place in Shoes After Removal: "Moisture & Odor Absorption" Sun-Dry for "Restored Moisture Absorption"

Over 500 Applications Received within 24 Hours After Feature on Yomiuri TV's "Osaka Honwaka TV"

On the "Information Cafe" corner of Yomiuri TV's "Osaka Honwaka TV," broadcast on Friday, May 29, 2026, we introduced Yamajin Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.'s business and products such as the shoe dehumidifier and deodorizer "Karatto Hero."

Following the broadcast, we received a large number of applications through our online shop and other channels, resulting in over 500 applications within 24 hours of the broadcast.

Customers expressed interest in addressing "foot discomfort" they experience in their daily lives, such as managing shoe dampness and odor during the rainy season, concerns about family members' shoes, and odor control in the entrance area.

This response has reaffirmed our understanding that managing shoe dampness and odor is not a niche concern but a common challenge in daily life during the rainy season.

"Karatto Hero" Contains Silica Gel for Moisture Absorption and Specialized Silica Gel for Odor Adsorption - Usage Image

Yamajin Pharmaceutical's Philosophy

During the rainy season, items like umbrellas, rainwear, and laundry drying solutions tend to get attention, while the dampness and odor inside the shoes we wear every day are often overlooked. However, discomfort from shoes is a common issue that affects our mood and comfort in daily activities such as commuting, working, sports, and even around the entrance after going out.

Desiccants are usually unassuming, but they have the potential to address the moisture and odor concerns hidden in our lives. Yamajin Pharmaceutical will continue to strive to create products that transform small daily discomforts into comfort, guided by our philosophy of "making the world's discomforts comfortable."

Yamajin Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Headquarters

Product Outline

Product Name: Shoshu Onsite Karatto Hero

Contents: 2 pieces per set

Colors: Available in 3 color combinations (Body color x Handle color)

- Turquoise x Orange

- Turquoise x Khaki

- Pink x Yellow

Main Ingredient: Silica Gel

Material: Polyester

Country of Origin: Japan

Suggested Retail Price: 3,520 yen (including tax)

Manufacturer & Distributor: Yamajin Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

Broadcast Details

Program Name: "Information Cafe" corner within Yomiuri TV's "Osaka Honwaka TV"

Broadcast Date: Friday, May 29, 2026, from 7:00 PM

Content: Introduction to Yamajin Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.'s business and products like the "Karatto Hero" shoe dehumidifier and deodorizer

For Media Inquiries

We are available for interviews regarding convenient rainy season goods, shoe dampness and odor solutions, B2C product development by regional companies, and the new challenges undertaken by long-established manufacturers. We can provide product samples, image materials, arrange for usage scene photography, and facilitate interviews with our company representative and development staff.

Company Profile

Company Name: Yamajin Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

Head Office Address: Kora-cho, Inugami-gun, Shiga Prefecture

President: Yasuko Sekiya

Business Activities: Manufacturing and sales of silica gel desiccants, sales of sterilizing and deodorizing agents, etc.

Yamajin Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. is a desiccant manufacturer that has been involved in products such as silica gel desiccants for pharmaceuticals for over 70 years. Since 2021, we have been working on lifestyle proposals that address the "invisible discomforts" hidden in daily life, such as moisture and odor, to make desiccants more accessible to general consumers.

Survey Data

- Ambitious Inc. "Survey on Shoe Care and Storage Concerns Before the Rainy Season"

Survey Period: April 14-19, 2023

Target: Nationwide trunk room users N=400

- AOKI Co., Ltd. "Survey on Rainy Season Countermeasure Items"

Survey Period: April 24-25, 2024

Target: Men aged 20-50 N=1003