Daiso Sangyo x Kyoto University of the Arts Industry-Academia Collaboration Project 4th Edition: Daiso Sangyo Launches 'Kassa with Chain' Utilizing Student Ideas
Daiso Sangyo Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Higashihiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture; Representative Director and President: Yasuji Yano) has implemented the 4th phase of its industry-academia collaboration project with Kyoto University of the Arts (Headquarters: Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture; President: Takashi Sato). Among the works currently in progress for commercialization, the 'Kassa with Chain' will be sequentially launched at DAISO stores nationwide.
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- 📰 Published: May 7, 2026 at 22:00
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Daiso Sangyo Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Higashihiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture; Representative Director and President: Yasuji Yano, hereinafter 'Daiso Sangyo') has implemented the 4th phase of its industry-academia collaboration project with Kyoto University of the Arts (Headquarters: Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture; President: Takashi Sato, hereinafter 'Kyoto University of the Arts'). From among the works currently in progress for commercialization, the 'Kassa with Chain' is being sequentially launched at DAISO stores nationwide.
Going forward, products incorporating unique perspectives and ideas from students, such as 'Curtain Lace Clips' and 'Laundry Net Holders,' are also scheduled for release.
Students presenting at the final presentation held at Kyoto University of the Arts in August last year.
This project aims to merge the innovative ideas of students with Daiso Sangyo's rich product development expertise. It is positioned as a practical 'social implementation-type learning' experience where students engage with corporations and take charge from planning to commercialization, with the goal of fostering human resources in the cultural and artistic fields and strengthening the content industry. Following previous editions in 2017, 2021, and 2023, this is the 4th time the event has been held. Under the theme of 'New functional products that solve daily inconveniences,' 16 second and third-year students proposed ideas, and a total of 17 frontline buyers, including the Representative Director and President and the Head of Product Division, judged them for commercialization.
■ Project Objectives and Characteristics
Daiso Sangyo and Kyoto University of the Arts are engaged in industry-academia collaboration with the aim of providing practical learning opportunities for next-generation students and developing new DAISO products. By actively involving students from market research to design and intellectual property rights confirmation, it serves as a valuable platform for learning the social implementation process. Notably, this time, three graduates who participated in previous editions of the same project and joined Daiso Sangyo are mentoring current students with a professional perspective. By connecting education, practical work, and employment, human resources are nurtured through practical experience, creating a cycle where their knowledge is passed on to the next generation.
■ Product Overview
Product Name: Kassa with Chain
This is a palm-sized 'kassa' with a chain for portability. It features multiple functions, including a central hole into which a tube can be inserted to smoothly squeeze out its contents to the very end.
Price: 100 yen (110 yen including tax)
Release Date: Sequentially released nationwide at DAISO stores from late April *Product availability may vary by store
Comment from the student who devised the product (Kano Katsumata, 3rd year Product Design Course):
"When studying or drawing for long periods, my hand muscles inevitably get tired, right? So, I designed it to be a portable size that allows for easy hand care anywhere. To prevent losing such a small item, I added a chain so it can be attached to a pouch. The central part also has a tube squeezing function, allowing you to use up hand creams and other items carried with it to the very last drop."
■ Uryuyama Gakuen Kyoto University of the Arts
Kyoto University of the Arts is one of Japan's largest comprehensive art universities, with approximately 23,000 students enrolled across both its on-campus and correspondence courses. It will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2027. The on-campus course (10 departments, 24 courses in the Faculty of Art) emphasizes the relationship between 'society and art,' undertaking over 100 'social implementation projects' annually in collaboration with companies and local governments. It provides practical education that addresses real-world societal issues through the power of art and design. The correspondence course (5 departments, 19 courses) was established in 1998 as Japan's first 4-year university correspondence course for the arts. Diverse students from across Japan and overseas study there, making it one of the largest correspondence art universities in terms of enrollment. It provides an environment where anyone can study art regardless of age or experience.
Location: 2-116 Kitashirakawa Uryuyama-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, 606-8271
URL: https://www.kyoto-art.ac.jp/
■ About Daiso Sangyo Co., Ltd.
Daiso Sangyo operates under the corporate philosophy of 'Enriching the lives of people around the world with one price – Inspiring Prices, Inspiring Quality,' aiming to be a global retail company originating from Japan. It operates 'DAISO,' 'Standard Products,' and 'THREEPPY,' handling approximately 53,000 products, from daily necessities to hobby items.
■ Company Overview
Company Name: Daiso Sangyo Co., Ltd.
Representative: Yasuji Yano, Representative Director and President
Location: 1-4-14 Saijo Yoshiyuki Higashi, Higashihiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture
Established: December 1977
Capital: 2.7 billion yen
Number of Stores: 5,670 stores in 26 countries and regions including Japan (as of February 2025)
Sales: 676.5 billion yen (consolidated 724.2 billion yen) (March 2024 - February 2025)
■ Related Links
Daiso Sangyo DAISO Official Website https://www.daiso-sangyo.co.jp/
[Contact for general customers]
Daiso Sangyo Co., Ltd. Inquiry Form https://ww
Going forward, products incorporating unique perspectives and ideas from students, such as 'Curtain Lace Clips' and 'Laundry Net Holders,' are also scheduled for release.
Students presenting at the final presentation held at Kyoto University of the Arts in August last year.
This project aims to merge the innovative ideas of students with Daiso Sangyo's rich product development expertise. It is positioned as a practical 'social implementation-type learning' experience where students engage with corporations and take charge from planning to commercialization, with the goal of fostering human resources in the cultural and artistic fields and strengthening the content industry. Following previous editions in 2017, 2021, and 2023, this is the 4th time the event has been held. Under the theme of 'New functional products that solve daily inconveniences,' 16 second and third-year students proposed ideas, and a total of 17 frontline buyers, including the Representative Director and President and the Head of Product Division, judged them for commercialization.
■ Project Objectives and Characteristics
Daiso Sangyo and Kyoto University of the Arts are engaged in industry-academia collaboration with the aim of providing practical learning opportunities for next-generation students and developing new DAISO products. By actively involving students from market research to design and intellectual property rights confirmation, it serves as a valuable platform for learning the social implementation process. Notably, this time, three graduates who participated in previous editions of the same project and joined Daiso Sangyo are mentoring current students with a professional perspective. By connecting education, practical work, and employment, human resources are nurtured through practical experience, creating a cycle where their knowledge is passed on to the next generation.
■ Product Overview
Product Name: Kassa with Chain
This is a palm-sized 'kassa' with a chain for portability. It features multiple functions, including a central hole into which a tube can be inserted to smoothly squeeze out its contents to the very end.
Price: 100 yen (110 yen including tax)
Release Date: Sequentially released nationwide at DAISO stores from late April *Product availability may vary by store
Comment from the student who devised the product (Kano Katsumata, 3rd year Product Design Course):
"When studying or drawing for long periods, my hand muscles inevitably get tired, right? So, I designed it to be a portable size that allows for easy hand care anywhere. To prevent losing such a small item, I added a chain so it can be attached to a pouch. The central part also has a tube squeezing function, allowing you to use up hand creams and other items carried with it to the very last drop."
■ Uryuyama Gakuen Kyoto University of the Arts
Kyoto University of the Arts is one of Japan's largest comprehensive art universities, with approximately 23,000 students enrolled across both its on-campus and correspondence courses. It will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2027. The on-campus course (10 departments, 24 courses in the Faculty of Art) emphasizes the relationship between 'society and art,' undertaking over 100 'social implementation projects' annually in collaboration with companies and local governments. It provides practical education that addresses real-world societal issues through the power of art and design. The correspondence course (5 departments, 19 courses) was established in 1998 as Japan's first 4-year university correspondence course for the arts. Diverse students from across Japan and overseas study there, making it one of the largest correspondence art universities in terms of enrollment. It provides an environment where anyone can study art regardless of age or experience.
Location: 2-116 Kitashirakawa Uryuyama-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, 606-8271
URL: https://www.kyoto-art.ac.jp/
■ About Daiso Sangyo Co., Ltd.
Daiso Sangyo operates under the corporate philosophy of 'Enriching the lives of people around the world with one price – Inspiring Prices, Inspiring Quality,' aiming to be a global retail company originating from Japan. It operates 'DAISO,' 'Standard Products,' and 'THREEPPY,' handling approximately 53,000 products, from daily necessities to hobby items.
■ Company Overview
Company Name: Daiso Sangyo Co., Ltd.
Representative: Yasuji Yano, Representative Director and President
Location: 1-4-14 Saijo Yoshiyuki Higashi, Higashihiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture
Established: December 1977
Capital: 2.7 billion yen
Number of Stores: 5,670 stores in 26 countries and regions including Japan (as of February 2025)
Sales: 676.5 billion yen (consolidated 724.2 billion yen) (March 2024 - February 2025)
■ Related Links
Daiso Sangyo DAISO Official Website https://www.daiso-sangyo.co.jp/
[Contact for general customers]
Daiso Sangyo Co., Ltd. Inquiry Form https://ww