Apparel Brand CLOUDY Becomes World-Class Sustainable Company; Operating Company DOYA Inc. Obtains International Certification "B CorpTM"

Apparel brand "CLOUDY" (operated by DOYA Inc., Minato-ku, Tokyo, President and CEO Hayato Doya) has obtained the international certification "Certified B CorporationTM" (hereinafter referred to as "B CorpTM"), awarded to companies with excellent social and environmental impact, in June 2026.

B CorpTM is a system certified by the international non-profit organization B LabTM for companies that meet strict standards, including social and environmental initiatives, transparency, and accountability. "B" stands for Benefit, signifying a company that creates value not only for shareholders but also for all stakeholders, including employees, local communities, the environment, and customers. As of June 2026, there are approximately 80 certified companies in Japan (※Over 10,000 companies in over 100 countries worldwide).

Background of Obtaining B Corp Certification: A System Where Business and Social Contribution Circulate

CLOUDY's mission is "Towards a future with choices and opportunities through fashion," and they have been working to solve issues in education, employment, and health through fashion. DOYA Inc. (operator of the CLOUDY brand) and the non-profit organization CLOUDY work together, leveraging each other's strengths, to create employment and build schools and provide educational support, primarily in Ghana, Africa. Instead of "doing social contribution outside of business," they have consistently aimed for a "mechanism where the business itself solves social issues," allowing activities to be sustained by the brand's profits, which has led to obtaining B Corp certification this time.

Specific Initiatives to Circulate Business and Support

Operation of CLOUDY FACTORY (Creating sustainable employment locally):

Operates its own factory in Ghana, Africa, utilizing traditional textiles and craftsmanship. To date, it has created employment for over 700 local workers, providing them with a stable livelihood.

Operation of CREATIVE ACADEMY (Nurturing next-generation creators):

Offers specialized courses in design, photography, and video production. Through creative education, they expand future possibilities for local youth to acquire specialized skills and become independent, spreading their wings to the world.

Operation of "CHOCOPEN" Factory (Joint project with Mitsubishi Pencil):

Operates a factory that produces "CHOCOPEN" pencils, upcycling discarded cocoa shells. As a joint project with Mitsubishi Pencil Co., Ltd., it balances reducing environmental impact with creating new local employment.

Operation of CLOUDY SCHOOL, School Lunch Support, and Agricultural Education (Self-sufficiency and sustainable school operation):

To comprehensively support children's education and health, they have built schools, provided daily school lunches, and offered agricultural education. They are currently building their 8th public school, expanding sustainable educational infrastructure that enables local communities to become self-sufficient.

"The Essence of CLOUDY" Evaluated in the B Corp Certification Review

In this certification, what was highly evaluated by B LabTM (headquartered in the US) was not merely "environmental consideration" or "some donation activities." It was the "overwhelming effectiveness and sustainability as a business model" that creates a positive cycle in society through the very structure of the business. The following core aspects primarily led to the international high evaluation:

An Employment Ecosystem of Over 700 People, Transforming "Support" into "Proud Work"

Instead of one-sided donations or temporary volunteer work, they have built a system of "self-reliance" where people in Ghana can create beautiful textiles with their own hands and receive compensation. The current system, where over 700 local workers engage in manufacturing with pride under safe working conditions and fair wages, received the highest evaluation for "worker and community well-being" as advocated by B CorpTM.

"Complete Transparency" and "Visible Responsibility" in the Supply Chain

100% visualization of the production background – "who made it, where, and how" – which is considered the most difficult in the apparel industry. This transparency and responsible supply chain, made possible by having their own factory (CLOUDY FACTORY) on-site and operating their own schools and pencil factories, was evaluated.

"Upcycling" Innovation Involving Major Companies

They present innovations to society that update traditional systems, such as the "CHOCOPEN" project, which transforms discarded cocoa shells into valuable products, rather than just using environmentally friendly materials. The "co-creation business model," which involves major Japanese companies like Mitsubishi Pencil Co., Ltd. and solves social issues while maintaining economic rationality, was recognized as pioneering.

"Support as a Continuum, Not Just Points" Connecting Education to Employment and Economic Independence

They don't stop at just building schools (a point); they connect school operations (currently the 8th school), health support through daily school lunches, and post-graduation employment creation (academies and factories) into a single "continuum" (a line). This comprehensive approach, enabling local communities to become self-sufficient across generations, was evaluated as an extremely rare social impact internationally.

"CLOUDY's Ecosystem" Creating Self-Sufficiency in Africa Through the Integration of Two Organizations

While DOYA Inc. obtained the B Corp certification this time, CLOUDY's activities are made possible by the synergy of "DOYA Inc. (for-profit)" and "Non-profit Organization CLOUDY (non-profit)" circulating business and support at a high level.

NHK WORLD "FRONTRUNNERS" Features CLOUDY's Initiatives

CLOUDY's activities were featured in the NHK WORLD documentary program "FRONTRUNNERS" in March 2026, showcasing their educational and employment support in Ghana and their efforts to solve social issues through fashion.

You can watch it here.

Comments from Local Members and Partners in Ghana

Salem, Representative of CLOUDY FACTORY / 7 years of service

"As someone who had no support system for entering society, I could never have imagined choosing my own future. Meeting CLOUDY changed my life. These past seven years, touching traditional textiles, honing my skills, and sweating alongside my colleagues, have been more than just a means to survive. I, who was thought to have nothing, am now earning with my own strength, financially independent, and walking through life on my own two feet. This fact has given me an indescribable sense of 'pride' and 'spirit of self-reliance.' In Africa, there are still many barriers for women to live independently. But I am convinced that our proud and shining presence at CLOUDY FACTORY is providing real hope (empowerment) to many women in Ghana and the next generation of girls, showing them that 'we too can change our future with our own strength.' The fact that our beloved factory has received the global B Corp certification means that the products we make and our way of life itself have been recognized by the world. From now on, as one of the women leaders in Ghana, I will pass on this hope to more colleagues."

Grace, CLOUDY FACTORY Worker / 4 years of service

"Before working at CLOUDY, I was constantly worried about how to earn a living and pay for my children's education. Finding work here, sewing textiles and sending them out into the world, has given me the 'pride' of supporting my family with my own strength. When we heard that our factory was recognized by the world (obtained B Corp), we all jumped for joy. We will continue to create wonderful products with our hands that will amaze the world."

Mr. Francis, CLOUDY SCHOOL Teacher

"Since the school was built and warm meals have been provided daily, the children's eyes have sparkled, and their attendance rate has dramatically increased. I am proud that we are not just teaching academics, but together with CLOUDY, we are shaping their education to become leaders who will drive this region in the future. This certification is proof that our challenge for the future was not in vain."

Message from the Representative: The Reason for CLOUDY's Existence

DOYA Inc., which operates CLOUDY, has now obtained B Corp certification. While we are happy to join the B Corp community, we also feel a sense of responsibility.

What we have aimed for is not a brand that "does good things." This is an era where the business itself is transformed to contribute to society, not an era where social contribution is placed outside of business. We believe in such a future.

Making someone's today a little better through fashion. The accumulation of these efforts moves society forward little by little. Building schools in Ghana. Creating employment. Taking responsibility for the background of manufacturing. All of this is not "social contribution activity," but the CLOUDY brand itself.

Obtaining B Corp certification this time is one piece of evidence that recognizes the journey with all of you who have chosen and supported CLOUDY, and with our colleagues in Ghana and around the world. It is by no means the goal.

Towards a society where buyers, makers, and everyone involved circulates and shines in their own way.

As the business grows, society also moves forward little by little.

We will continue to take on challenges step by step, striving to remain a brand that says, "Every time you wear color, the world moves."

DOYA Inc.

"Every time you wear color, the world moves."

DOYA Inc. aims to solve social issues in Africa through the power of fashion and operates the brand "CLOUDY."

While developing apparel and miscellaneous goods using original textiles created by its own creators, it has established and operates its own factory in Ghana, Africa, creating employment for over 630 people to date.

A portion of the profits generated through its business is donated to the non-profit organization CLOUDY, which operates integrally within the group, and is utilized for local support activities focused on education, employment, and health.

It aims to build a sustainable social business model where "Profit" and "Nonprofit" circulate and advance together.

- Establishment: January 2015

- CEO: Hayato Doya

- Location: 8-12-19 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo Metro Park Akasaka 201

- Corporate Site: https://cloudy-tokyo.com/

Non-profit Organization CLOUDY

"Every time you wear color, the world moves."

A place that continues to create that "moving world."

Non-profit Organization CLOUDY was established in 2010 and tackles social issues in Africa with a focus on education, employment, and health.

Based in Ghana, Africa, and listening to local voices, it carries out the following community-based support activities:

- Educational support through school construction and operation

- Employment creation through sewing factory construction and training

- Health support, including school lunch provision and sex education

Our goal is not "charity," but "support created together."

Through collaboration with the business company (DOYA Inc.), we emphasize rooting employment and education systems locally and fostering self-sufficiency in Africa.

We aim for a structure where support and business circulate, and society itself sustainably "moves."

For the future of every individual living under the same sky, we will continue to move forward.

- Establishment: December 2010

- Representative Director: Hayato Doya

- Location: 8-12-19 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo Metro Park Akasaka 201

- Corporate Site: https://cloudynpo.org/