Kuraray's New Corporate Ad Episode "Infiltrate the Research Lab" to Air from July 1 (Wed)

Kuraray launched its corporate ad series "Kuraray: The Material Company That Excites the World" in April, featuring the comedy duo "Chidori." The new sequel episode, "Infiltrate the Research Lab," will begin airing on July 1 (Wed).

This series depicts a story where two agents, playing the roles of investigators, explore Kuraray from various angles, sometimes conducting undercover investigations, to uncover the reality of Kuraray that excites the world. The agents are played by the comedy duo "Chidori," who, like our company, hail from Okayama Prefecture.

Additionally, a making-of video will be available on Kuraray's official YouTube channel and the special CM website to coincide with the release of the new episode.

1. CM Overview

- Title

Kuraray Group Corporate CM "Kuraray: The Material Company That Excites the World" EPISODE 1 "Infiltrate the Research Lab"

- CM Airing Start Date

July 1, 2026 (Wed)

- CM Story

A suspicious drone infiltrates Kuraray's research lab. The footage is displayed on the monitor of a mysterious agent, NOBU. While on a mission to expose Kuraray's "true nature," NOBU witnesses an unexpected scene. A junior employee earnestly requests to be entrusted with responsible work, and a senior employee, while providing strict guidance, encourages them by saying, "You can always consult me." NOBU is moved by Kuraray's corporate culture, which welcomes challenges and does not fear failure. However, a secret unknown to anyone yet was hidden within the "junior employee."

On-Air Schedule

(1) Program Sponsorship (Nationwide) Airing begins July 1, 2026 (Wed)

TV Tokyo Network "Gaia no Yoake" Every Friday 22:00 - 22:54

(2) Spot CM

From July 1 (Wed) to July 31 (Fri) in Kanto, Kansai, Fukuoka, Hokkaido, Yamagata, Sendai, Niigata, Okayama, Kagawa, and Ehime regions.

(3) Online Distribution

The full CM and making-of video will be available on Kuraray's official YouTube channel from July 1 (Wed).

CM Campaign Site

New content will be released on the special CM website (https://heartboiled.kuraray.com/) from July 1 (Wed).

Production Staff

Production Company: Hakuhodo Inc., Hakuhodo Creative Vox Inc. Executive Creative Director: Makoto Nagashima Creative Director: Yo Kojima Art Director: Nana Sekiya Copywriter: Toru Kimura

CM Concept

Our company, founded as "Kurashiki Silk Weaving" in Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture in 1926, celebrated its 100th anniversary this past June. Currently, the Kuraray Group's network spans 32 countries and regions, with 89 companies. We will depict not only the materials produced by the Kuraray Group worldwide but also the employees who strive to deliver these materials and our company's corporate culture. This series scales up from conventional corporate advertising to explore the reality of Kuraray on a global stage.

As the copy for this series, we expressed "exciting the world with materials" and "facing daily work with passion" as "Heart Boiled." We hope you enjoy it along with the hard-boiled world that suits the duo Chidori.

Creative Director's Comment

While the name Kuraray is known, many people are unaware of what kind of company it is, who works there, how they work, that it's a global company, or that it's focused on sustainability. It's full of mysteries.

This project casts the duo Chidori, who are from the same Okayama Prefecture as Kuraray, as agents to unravel these mysteries. Through impactful, spy-movie-like expressions, we aim to introduce Kuraray to young people entering society and make them like the company.

Behind-the-Scenes of CM Production

1 During the filming of a key scene where Chidori's Nobu sheds tears, the director initially requested a "touching cry face, not a comedic one," and he appeared somewhat nervous. However, he ultimately delivered a superb performance, beautifully expressing his deep empathy with Kuraray's corporate culture. Please pay close attention to his powerful acting.

2 While maintaining the hard-boiled world of the first installment, this installment also features the filming of thrilling surprise scenes reminiscent of a spy movie. For the behind-the-scenes of the shoot, please watch the making-of video.

2. Chidori Profile

Formed in July 2000 by Daigo and Nobu, who were high school classmates in Okayama Prefecture.

Daigo (Left) Date of Birth: March 25, 1980 Blood Type: B Birthplace: Kitagijima, Kasaoka City, Okayama Prefecture

Nobu (Right) Date of Birth: December 30, 1979 Blood Type: A Birthplace: Ibara City, Okayama Prefecture

Kuraray Co., Ltd. Overview

President: Hitoshi Kawahara Headquarters: Tokiwa Bridge Tower, 2-6-4 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Business Activities: Manufacturing and sales of resins, chemicals, textile products, etc. Capital Stock: 89 billion yen (as of the end of December 2025) Consolidated Employees: 12,117 (as of the end of December 2025) Consolidated Net Sales: 808.4 billion yen (Fiscal Year 2025) Consolidated Operating Income: 58.9 billion yen (Fiscal Year 2025)