CGJ Establishes New Pottery Base in Nakama City, Fukuoka Prefecture. New Regional Industry 'Nakama Ware' Launched, Call for Product Design Proposals Begins

Culture Generation Japan Co., Ltd. (Location: Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director: Takuya Horita, hereinafter CGJ) will establish a new in-house pottery base in Nakama City, Fukuoka Prefecture in April 2026, to handle everything from manufacturing to inspection and shipping, in anticipation of business expansion for services such as "CRAFTAL" and "TabiSara". In conjunction with the establishment of the new base, we will launch a call for product design proposals for the new regional industry "Nakama Ware," to be created in collaboration with Nakama citizens, starting today. URL: http://nakamayaki.com/

Traditional Crafts Declining in Japan, While Global Market Predicted to Grow Rapidly Japan boasts 240 types of nationally designated traditional crafts, and thousands more if local government designations are included. This is a rare "treasure trove of cultural diversity" globally, and the reason why Japanese technology and aesthetics have been highly valued worldwide. However, current production volume is only 20% of its peak (1983), and production value has decreased from 541 billion yen to 100 billion yen (*1). This decline leads to the disappearance of artisans, the erosion of regional pride and local culture, and the loss of the unique value that regions possess. On the other hand, looking globally, the handicraft market is predicted to expand rapidly from 100 trillion yen to 172 trillion yen (+9.1% growth) between 2022 and 2028 (*2). While traditional crafts are in decline in Japan, they represent a field with potential for growth if the perspective and distribution channels are changed. We believe that Japanese culture will be increasingly sought after on a global scale. *1) Source: Traditional Crafts Industry Promotion Association materials *2) Source: TechNavio "Global Handicrafts Market 2021-2025" Establishing a New Pottery Base in Northern Kyushu Amidst Business Expansion CGJ aims to inherit and create Japanese culture that can be proudly presented to the world. We produce businesses that leverage Japan's traditional industries and artisan techniques, including the subscription service for tableware "CRAFTAL," and the circular service "TabiSara" which forms a secondary distribution market for traditional crafts in collaboration with Komehyo Holdings Co., Ltd. In anticipation of further business expansion against the backdrop of the developing traditional crafts market, we will enter the manufacturing industry by establishing our own pottery base responsible for the manufacturing, management, inspection, and shipping of tableware. "CRAFTAL" Logo

"TabiSara" Image

With the goal of creating a completely new model for a production area, considering factors such as good access to overseas markets, historical background, and ease of obtaining materials and human resources, we deliberately targeted Northern Kyushu, an area without existing pottery production. We envisioned a model that would create new industries and foster culture in regions where people are interested in crafts that embody local culture. It was during this process that we encountered Nakama City, Fukuoka Prefecture, and decided to establish our base by leasing a part of From Industry Co., Ltd. within the city. The Memory of "Earth" Since the Yayoi Period Remains in a Town Facing Industrial Hollowing and a Declining Working-Age Population Why pottery in Nakama City, now? Because the industry of "earth" is deeply etched into the memory of this town. Located in the fertile Ongagawa Plain, Nakama City has prospered since ancient times as a suitable region for rice cultivation. In the Yayoi period, "Ongagawa-style pottery," which became an indicator of Japan's agricultural culture, was born here, and its culture eventually spread nationwide with the expansion of rice cultivation. In essence, Nakama City can be considered one of the origins of manufacturing and distribution in Japan. Later, from the Meiji to Showa periods, it transformed into tiles and bricks supporting the coal mines, contributing to Japan's modernization, and consistently developing industries using "earth" as a resource.

Nakama Tiles

However, the town has lost its unique core industries that once drove its development. The population has decreased to 38,524 (as of the end of February 2026) (*3), and the aging rate has reached 38.2% (as of September 2024) (*4), progressing at a pace significantly higher than the national average. Consequently, the working-age population (15-64 years old), which supports the regional economy, has decreased from its peak of approximately 34,000 in 1985 to about 22,000 currently (a decrease of about 34%) (*5). The city faces challenges of significant population decline, youth outflow, and the loss of unique industries and workplaces. *3) Source: Nakama City Hall Statistics on Population, Households, etc. *4) Source: Nakama City Statistical Book, Statistics Nakama Reiwa 6 Edition *5) Source: Nakama City Hall 2nd Nakama City Comprehensive Strategy for Town, People, and Work Creation Awakening the Memory of "Earth": "Nakama Ware," a New Industry of the Reiwa Era Renkoji Pottery Studio in Nakama City

Meanwhile, the culture of craftsmanship has subtly integrated into daily life. Even now, Nakama City has kilns in three locations, and a climate where citizens engage in pottery making as a daily activity remains. Furthermore, Nakama City, once a coastal area, is characterized by the availability of clay-rich soil, making it a suitable location for creating pottery. Against this backdrop, with the establishment of our new pottery base, we aim to awaken the "memory of earth" that has continued since the Yayoi period and create a new culture and industry called "Nakama Ware," a "Reiwa-era pottery" reconstructed using the philosophy of the long-lost Yayoi pottery and contemporary sensibilities. Overview of In-house Pottery Base Name: HUB LAB-NAKAMA Location: 1304-5 Nihatada, Kakise, Oaza Nakama, Nakama City, Fukuoka Prefecture (Within From Industry Co., Ltd.) Area: 130 sqm

Exterior of From Industry Co., Ltd.

A Brand to Last 100 Years: The "Nakama Ware Project" Promoted in Collaboration with Nakama Citizens Members of the Nakama Ware Project Executive Committee and the CGJ Team

Believing that new culture and industries are nurtured through the co-creation of the town's residents, we are promoting this initiative as the "Nakama Ware Project" to create "Nakama Ware." With the cooperation of Nakama City, which has endorsed this project, we will collaborate with the Nakama Ware Project Executive Committee, composed of 11 citizen organizations, including the establishment of CGJ's in-house pottery base. ▼ Members of the Nakama Ware Project Executive Committee Kibogaoka High School | Na Kappa Kai | NPO Nakama City Tourism and Town Development Council | Nakama City Children's Summit | Nakama City Regional Revitalization Council | Nakama Chamber of Commerce and Industry Youth Division | Nakama City Senior Citizens' Club Federation | Nakama Lions Club | Hibiki Junior Chamber Inc. | Fukuoka Prefectural Nakama High School (Volunteers) | Women's Association *In Japanese alphabetical order "Nakama Ware" is not merely the creation of a new industry; it is a regional cultural project that unearths the "memory of earth" dormant in Nakama City with its citizens and passes it on to the next generation as the town's pride. Just as "Ongagawa-style pottery" once spread culture nationwide from this land, in the Reiwa era, we will shape the history and climate of our town with the participation of everyone from children to adults. By reconstructing the disappearing workplaces and industries of the region and re-disseminating new industries and culture from the "earth" of this land nationwide, we will create new appeal, industry, economy, and exchange cycles for Nakama City, contributing to the creation of a culture where the sentiments of its citizens resonate for the next 100 years. Call for "Nakama Ware" Designs Open to Everyone from Children to Adults Begins

To co-create this new culture and industry with many people, we are launching a call for product designs for the new "Nakama Ware" today, promoting participatory manufacturing. This open call is open to everyone regardless of age, gender, or place of residence, and applications close on May 15, 2026 (Friday). The designs selected through the judging process will become the first "Nakama Ware" ceramics and will be promoted and distributed as a new symbol of Nakama City. ▼ "Nakama Ware" Design Competition Overview URL: http://nakamayaki.com/ Schedule: ・Application Period: March 31, 2026 (Tuesday) - May 15, 2026 (Friday) 23:59 ・Announcement of Results: Early June 2026 ・Product Launch: August 2026 Company Profile Company Name: Culture Generation Japan Co., Ltd. Location: TOI BLDG., 5-18 Nihonbashi Yokoyama-cho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo Representative: Takuya Horita, Representative Director http://culgene.jp/

Inquiries regarding this project Culture Generation Japan Co., Ltd. Phone: 03-5614-0111 / Email: info@cg-japan.net