Yokoo Receives Award for Efforts in Regional Revitalization through Experiential Events at UNESCO World Heritage Site Tomioka Silk Mill

Yokoo Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Katsuhira Yanagisawa) has been awarded the "Best Action Award" by the Kanto Chamber of Commerce and Industry Federation for its contributions to increasing visitor numbers at the Tomioka Silk Mill and revitalizing the city of Tomioka through experiential events held at the site. The award ceremony was held on June 26, 2026 (Fri) at Hotel Amuse Tomioka.

Award Name

Best Action Award

Reason for Award

Highly commended for organizing experiential events in collaboration with "Mushijin'gi," a project by Daiso Shuppan, at the Tomioka Silk Mill, thereby contributing to increased visitor numbers and regional revitalization

Photo from the award ceremony held on June 26 (Fri): Mr. Hiroyuki Nakazawa, Managing Director of Yokoo (second from left), and Mr. Katsuyoshi Sato, Chairman of Tomioka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (far right)

This award is presented to organizations or member companies that have made significant contributions to urban development and regional revitalization within their respective chamber of commerce jurisdictions, serving as exemplary models for others.

Since 2025, Yokoo has been implementing a collaborative project with "Mushijin'gi," a theme centered on insects that aligns well with the historical context of the Tomioka Silk Mill, aiming to attract new customer segments to the UNESCO World Heritage site.

"Mushijin'gi" is an original trading card game themed around insects, developed by Daiso Shuppan, a subsidiary of Daiso Industries—the company behind the 100-yen shop chain DAISO.

The collaboration was initiated after "Kaiko" (silkworm), the raw material for silk that supported Tomioka's silk industry, ranked first in a popularity poll for Mushijin'gi characters. To leverage this momentum and increase visitor numbers to the Tomioka Silk Mill and the city itself, Yokoo planned a series of collaborative events between the Tomioka Silk Mill and Mushijin'gi. With support from Daiso Shuppan and local businesses, multiple experiential events have been successfully held.

This initiative has become a successful model of "History × Entertainment" that simultaneously achieves educational use of cultural heritage and regional economic revitalization. As a result, both visitor numbers and revenue at the Tomioka Silk Mill have significantly increased, contributing to improved exhibitions and facility upgrades, as well as establishing a foundation that supports the preservation and conservation of the World Heritage site. Additionally, increased visitor circulation beyond the site has led to higher tourism revenues in the surrounding areas of the Tomioka Silk Mill.

To date, Yokoo has fostered strong relationships with various companies and organizations in Gunma Prefecture and Tomioka City, building trust within the local community. In June 2025, the company signed a comprehensive partnership agreement with the city of Tomioka to further support its social development and revitalization.

Moving forward, Yokoo will continue to value its connections with the local community, actively promoting regional and urban development and contributing to the growth and revitalization of Tomioka City.

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