Kakuichi Donates Garages to Kashima City, Establishing Japan's First Startup Support Model Utilizing Corporate Hometown Tax Donation and In-Kind Donation
Key facts
- Kakuichi Donates Garages to Kashima City, Establishing Japan's First Startup Support Model Utilizing Corporate Hometown Tax Donation and In-Kind Donation
- Kakuichi donates garages to Kashima City, establishing Japan's first startup support model through corporate hometown tax donation and in-kind donation.
- Source: PR Times
- Date: March 30, 2026
Direct answer
Kakuichi donates garages to Kashima City, establishing Japan's first startup support model through corporate hometown tax donation and in-kind donation.
- Citation
- Kakuichi Donates Garages to Kashima City, Establishing Japan's First Startup Support Model Utilizing Corporate Hometown Tax Donation and In-Kind Donation (March 30, 2026), PR Times
- Source
- PR Times
- Date
- March 30, 2026
Kakuichi donates garages to Kashima City, establishing Japan's first startup support model through corporate hometown tax donation and in-kind donation.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: March 30, 2026 at 21:00
- 🔍 Collected: March 30, 2026 at 22:56 (1h 56m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 16, 2026 at 05:53 (390h 57m after Collected)
Kakuichi Corporation (President and CEO: Riyo Tanaka) has donated garage products to Kashima City, Ibaraki Prefecture, through the in-kind donation system, as part of its regional contribution initiatives via the Corporate Hometown Tax Donation system. This donation supports the city's promoted kitchen car-based entrepreneurship program, "Chance Ku". A handover ceremony was held on March 28, 2026 (Saturday) in Kashima City, where keys were presented to the program participants.
■ What is "Chance Ku"?
This is a startup support program targeting entrepreneurs aiming to open physical stores around Kashima Jingu Shrine. It provides a kitchen car and a base of operations (garage) for up to two years, along with business management and sales promotion support. Compared to conventional challenge shop programs, it significantly reduces the initial investment and monthly costs for participants.
This initiative, where a municipality operates a kitchen car-based challenge shop utilizing the in-kind donation feature of the Corporate Hometown Tax Donation system, is the first of its kind in Japan (according to Kashima City's research).
■ Kakuichi's Role
In this project, Kakuichi donates garage products to Kashima City through the Corporate Hometown Tax Donation (in-kind donation) system. By effectively eliminating the costs for preparing the garage facilities that participants will use as their base of operations, Kakuichi contributes to lowering the barrier to starting a business.
For Kakuichi, a company with 140 years of history, a "garage" is more than just a storage space; it is a "place" where people nurture their dreams. Kakuichi's philosophy is not just about delivering products, but about continuously engaging with the changes in the region that lie beyond.
■ Comment from Riyo Tanaka, President and CEO of Kakuichi Corporation
Just as the "miracle team" Kashima Antlers evolved from a local club into a dominant force, we want to foster challengers who will soar from Kashima to the world.
The "Chance Ku" is the "place" for that. We are not just providing the "container" of a garage; we are creating a stage for challenges. We believe that the first step taken from here will eventually become a new legend for Kashima.
■ About Kakuichi Corporation
Founded in 1886 (Meiji 19), Kakuichi is a comprehensive manufacturer with 140 years of history. The company operates in a wide range of businesses, including warehouse garages, hoses, nanobubbles, solar power, and MaaS, handling everything from manufacturing to sales and installation. With a nationwide sales and installation network, Kakuichi has extensive experience collaborating with municipalities and regional businesses.
Kakuichi collaborates with municipalities across the country, valuing not just "proposing solutions and ending it there," but rather
thinking together and running together to address regional challenges.
FAQ
What is the "Chance Ku" program?
"Chance Ku" is a startup support program in Kashima City that provides entrepreneurs aiming to open businesses with a kitchen car and a base of operations (garage) for up to two years, along with business support. It aims to reduce the initial costs and monthly expenses for participants.
What is unique about this initiative?
This is the first initiative in Japan where a municipality operates a kitchen car-based challenge shop program utilizing the in-kind donation feature of the Corporate Hometown Tax Donation system. Kakuichi's donation of garage products makes this possible.
How does Kakuichi contribute to this program?
Kakuichi donates garage products to Kashima City through the Corporate Hometown Tax Donation system (in-kind donation). This effectively covers the cost of preparing the garage facilities for the entrepreneurs, thereby lowering the barrier to starting a business.
What is Kakuichi's philosophy regarding this project?
Kakuichi views garages not just as storage but as 'places' where dreams are nurtured. Their philosophy is to be involved in the changes within the region beyond just delivering products, by creating a 'stage for challenges' for aspiring entrepreneurs.
What is the Corporate Hometown Tax Donation system?
It is a system in Japan that allows companies to donate to local governments they choose, and in return, receive tax benefits. This initiative uses the 'in-kind donation' aspect, where companies donate goods or services instead of cash.