Kakuichi Donates Garages to Kashima City, Establishing Japan's First Startup Support Model Utilizing Corporate Hometown Tax Donation and In-Kind Donation

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.