Waterless Washing Machine in Action! 'Container of Life Project' Gunma Model Begins Water-Circulating Washing Machine Pilot at Roadside Station Yoshioka Onsen
wash-plus Co., Ltd., in collaboration with Gunma Prefecture, has begun a demonstration experiment of a detergent-free, water-circulating washing machine at Michi-no-Eki Yoshioka Onsen. This initiative is part of the 'Container of Life Project,' intended for disaster relief.
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- 📰 Published: April 14, 2026 at 02:19
- 🔍 Collected: April 13, 2026 at 18:01
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State of the opening ceremony on April 10
wash-plus Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Urayasu City, Chiba Prefecture; CEO: Kentaro Takanashi), along with Gunma Prefecture, Yoshioka Town, Yoshioka Town Promotion Public Corporation, and the Japan Research Institute, commenced a demonstration experiment for the social implementation of a water-circulating washing machine at the roadside station Yoshioka Onsen. An opening ceremony was held on-site on Friday, April 10.
Business Introduction / Inquiries
Experience the Washing Machine of the Future with the 'Container of Life Project' Gunma Model
In this demonstration experiment, anyone can use the washing machine free of charge. Originally showcased at the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo as a 'waterless washing machine,' it can repeatedly wash clothes without requiring water supply or sewage systems.
It provides a valuable opportunity to physically experience a cutting-edge laundry of the future, which washes without detergent and purifies drained water on the spot for reuse.
- Installation Period: From April 10, 2026, to June 28, 2026 *Temporarily relocated from late April to early May
- Operating Hours: Daily from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM *Locked at 5:00 PM
- Location: Inside the parking lot of Michi-no-Eki Yoshioka Onsen (2004 Urushihara, Yoshioka Town, Kitagunma District)
- Units Installed: Two washing machines and two dryers inside a container
- Special Notes: The water-circulating washing machines and dryers can be used for free; users are asked to complete a survey after use.
*Since this is a demonstration experiment and not a retail store, users must manage their own laundry.
What is the 'Container of Life Project' Gunma Model?
It is an initiative in which private operators and Gunma Prefecture collaborate to achieve products and services that operate independently as business activities during normal times, while being swiftly deployable to disaster areas during emergencies.
- Gunma Prefecture Website: https://www.pref.gunma.jp/site/houdou/752634.html
About the Medical and Disaster Prevention Industry Creation Council and the 'Container of Life Project'
The Medical and Disaster Prevention Industry Creation Council is an organization tackling crisis management through a strategic approach, based on insights and lessons learned through experiences in major crises such as natural disasters and pandemics.
The 'Container of Life Project' continues its activities as a symbolic project within this council.
- Medical and Disaster Prevention Industry Creation Council Website: https://www.mdpc.ne.jp/
- 'Container of Life Project' Explanatory Video: https://www.mdpc.ne.jp/activity231024/
wash-plus: Turning Everyday Laundry into an 'Activity Contributing to a Sustainable Society'
Laundromat wash+ Akemi Store (Urayasu City, Chiba Prefecture)
wash-plus Co., Ltd. operates under the purpose of 'Creating a gentle future for people and the earth.' They develop a laundry business utilizing proprietary patented technology that washes with 'wash+ Water' (alkaline ionized water exclusively for laundry) without using detergents, as well as a dedicated IoT system 'smart laundry' development business.
Realizing 10 of the 17 goals set by the SDGs, they connect laundry, an essential part of daily life, into an 'activity that contributes to the realization of a sustainable society.'
Business Introduction / Inquiries
wash-plus Co., Ltd. Company Profile
Location: 1-9-5 Nekozane, Urayasu City, Chiba 279-0004
Representative: Kentaro Takanashi, CEO
Established: May 2013
Capital: 10.12 million yen
Business Content: Comprehensive laundromat business, system development
URL: http://wash-plus.co.jp/
Past Awards
- Excellence Award at the '3rd Japan Service Awards 2020' (Hosted by Japan Productivity Center, Service Industry Productivity Council).
- The first IT Excellence Award in SME history at the '37th IT Awards 2019' (Hosted by Japan Institute of Information Technology), recognized for 'IoT laundromats connecting with customers that support workstyle reform and women's advancement in society.'
- Chiba Governor's Award [Chiba Entrepreneur Grand Prize] at 'CHIBA BizCon 2016' for the business plan 'IoT implementation of an allergen-free laundromat business and its future.'
- IT Award (Customer/Business Function Domain) at the '41st IT Awards 2023' (Hosted by Japan Institute of Information Technology) recognized for 'Dynamic Pricing guided by Laundromat Big Data x Weather Data.'
- At the 'Newsweek Japan SDGs Awards 2023' (Hosted by Newsweek Japan), the laundry technology innovation was highly praised for SDGs goals.
wash-plus Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Urayasu City, Chiba Prefecture; CEO: Kentaro Takanashi), along with Gunma Prefecture, Yoshioka Town, Yoshioka Town Promotion Public Corporation, and the Japan Research Institute, commenced a demonstration experiment for the social implementation of a water-circulating washing machine at the roadside station Yoshioka Onsen. An opening ceremony was held on-site on Friday, April 10.
Business Introduction / Inquiries
Experience the Washing Machine of the Future with the 'Container of Life Project' Gunma Model
In this demonstration experiment, anyone can use the washing machine free of charge. Originally showcased at the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo as a 'waterless washing machine,' it can repeatedly wash clothes without requiring water supply or sewage systems.
It provides a valuable opportunity to physically experience a cutting-edge laundry of the future, which washes without detergent and purifies drained water on the spot for reuse.
- Installation Period: From April 10, 2026, to June 28, 2026 *Temporarily relocated from late April to early May
- Operating Hours: Daily from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM *Locked at 5:00 PM
- Location: Inside the parking lot of Michi-no-Eki Yoshioka Onsen (2004 Urushihara, Yoshioka Town, Kitagunma District)
- Units Installed: Two washing machines and two dryers inside a container
- Special Notes: The water-circulating washing machines and dryers can be used for free; users are asked to complete a survey after use.
*Since this is a demonstration experiment and not a retail store, users must manage their own laundry.
What is the 'Container of Life Project' Gunma Model?
It is an initiative in which private operators and Gunma Prefecture collaborate to achieve products and services that operate independently as business activities during normal times, while being swiftly deployable to disaster areas during emergencies.
- Gunma Prefecture Website: https://www.pref.gunma.jp/site/houdou/752634.html
About the Medical and Disaster Prevention Industry Creation Council and the 'Container of Life Project'
The Medical and Disaster Prevention Industry Creation Council is an organization tackling crisis management through a strategic approach, based on insights and lessons learned through experiences in major crises such as natural disasters and pandemics.
The 'Container of Life Project' continues its activities as a symbolic project within this council.
- Medical and Disaster Prevention Industry Creation Council Website: https://www.mdpc.ne.jp/
- 'Container of Life Project' Explanatory Video: https://www.mdpc.ne.jp/activity231024/
wash-plus: Turning Everyday Laundry into an 'Activity Contributing to a Sustainable Society'
Laundromat wash+ Akemi Store (Urayasu City, Chiba Prefecture)
wash-plus Co., Ltd. operates under the purpose of 'Creating a gentle future for people and the earth.' They develop a laundry business utilizing proprietary patented technology that washes with 'wash+ Water' (alkaline ionized water exclusively for laundry) without using detergents, as well as a dedicated IoT system 'smart laundry' development business.
Realizing 10 of the 17 goals set by the SDGs, they connect laundry, an essential part of daily life, into an 'activity that contributes to the realization of a sustainable society.'
Business Introduction / Inquiries
wash-plus Co., Ltd. Company Profile
Location: 1-9-5 Nekozane, Urayasu City, Chiba 279-0004
Representative: Kentaro Takanashi, CEO
Established: May 2013
Capital: 10.12 million yen
Business Content: Comprehensive laundromat business, system development
URL: http://wash-plus.co.jp/
Past Awards
- Excellence Award at the '3rd Japan Service Awards 2020' (Hosted by Japan Productivity Center, Service Industry Productivity Council).
- The first IT Excellence Award in SME history at the '37th IT Awards 2019' (Hosted by Japan Institute of Information Technology), recognized for 'IoT laundromats connecting with customers that support workstyle reform and women's advancement in society.'
- Chiba Governor's Award [Chiba Entrepreneur Grand Prize] at 'CHIBA BizCon 2016' for the business plan 'IoT implementation of an allergen-free laundromat business and its future.'
- IT Award (Customer/Business Function Domain) at the '41st IT Awards 2023' (Hosted by Japan Institute of Information Technology) recognized for 'Dynamic Pricing guided by Laundromat Big Data x Weather Data.'
- At the 'Newsweek Japan SDGs Awards 2023' (Hosted by Newsweek Japan), the laundry technology innovation was highly praised for SDGs goals.