Received the '2025 Reiwa Era Kitakyushu DX Award - Excellent Prize'!
Shabon Dama Soap Co., Ltd. has received the Excellent Prize at the '2025 Reiwa Era Kitakyushu DX Award' for its innovative integration of traditional craftsmanship with digital technologies and its commitment to Green Transformation (GX). The company was recognized for digitizing artisan techniques, optimizing production with AI, and implementing energy-saving measures using self-developed IoT devices. This award highlights their successful 'proactive energy-saving investment' and dedication to sustainable manufacturing.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 2, 2026 at 20:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 2, 2026 at 14:00
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 17, 2026 at 10:32 (356h 31m after Collected)
Shabon Dama Soap Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture, President: Hayato Morita), a pioneer in additive-free soap, has received the Excellent Prize in the '2025 Reiwa Era Kitakyushu DX Award' hosted by Kitakyushu City.
This award recognizes companies that achieve new value creation and problem-solving through the utilization of digital technology and positively impact the regional economy. The award ceremony was held in Kitakyushu City on Thursday, March 26th. Shabon Dama Soap was highly praised for its initiative to digitize and inherit traditional techniques based on the 'five senses' of its artisans, as well as its GX (Green Transformation) efforts involving electricity measurement using low-cost IoT devices developed in-house and subsequent equipment upgrades. These efforts, described as 'the fusion of traditional craftsmanship and digital technology,' were highly evaluated. Moving forward, the company will continue to integrate its accumulated technologies with new digital technologies to advance its manufacturing of products that 'protect healthy bodies and clean water,' looking towards the future.
*Additive-free: Additive-free soap that does not use fragrances, colorants, antioxidants, synthetic surfactants, etc.
■ Background of the Award and Key Initiatives Evaluated
1. Fusion of Artisan Techniques and Digitalization (Promoting Smart Factories)
・Digitization of the 'saponification method' using the five senses of pot-making artisans and joint research for its inheritance.
・Challenge to optimize production planning and resolve reliance on individual expertise through the development of an AI scheduler.
2. Promotion of GX (Green Transformation)
・100% renewable energy conversion at the main factory.
・Energy-saving activities through an in-house developed electricity monitoring system.
・Calculation of CFP (Carbon Footprint) for regular products.
3. DX for Safety and Health and Regional Collaboration
・On-site safety management utilizing smartwatches.
・Publication as open source through Kitakyushu City's IoT Practical Research Group.
Results brought by Data Utilization through DX
Based on data measured and visualized by in-house developed devices, an aging compressor was updated to an optimal energy-saving model. As a result, an annual electricity cost reduction of 970,000 yen (and a corresponding reduction in CO2 emissions) was achieved. This 'proactive energy-saving investment' supported by data, rather than being constrained by initial costs, has yielded concrete results.
■ Progress since April 2023: Full-Scale Promotion of Smart Factory Transformation
Our company launched a specialized team for factory DX in 2021, undertaking network construction and joint IoT research. To ensure these efforts were not one-off but became a pillar of management, we officially organized them as the 'SF Promotion Department' in April 2023. We are promoting full-scale smart factory transformation while utilizing Kitakyushu City's DX subsidy.
■ What is the Kitakyushu DX Award?
This is a system hosted by Kitakyushu City that recognizes excellent companies engaged in business model transformation and the resolution of regional issues through the utilization of digital technology. Its purpose is to foster DX momentum throughout the region and promote industrial competitiveness and sustainable development.
1. Fusion of Artisan Techniques and Digitalization (Promoting Smart Factories)
・Digitization of the 'saponification method' using the five senses of pot-making artisans and joint research for its inheritance.
・Challenge to optimize production planning and resolve reliance on individual expertise through the development of an AI scheduler.
2. Promotion of GX (Green Transformation)
・100% renewable energy conversion at the main factory.
・Energy-saving activities through an in-house developed electricity monitoring system.
・Calculation of CFP (Carbon Footprint) for regular products.
3. DX for Safety and Health and Regional Collaboration
・On-site safety management utilizing smartwatches.
・Publication as open source through Kitakyushu City's IoT Practical Research Group.
Results brought by Data Utilization through DX
Based on data measured and visualized by in-house developed devices, an aging compressor was updated to an optimal energy-saving model. As a result, an annual electricity cost reduction of 970,000 yen (and a corresponding reduction in CO2 emissions) was achieved. This 'proactive energy-saving investment' supported by data, rather than being constrained by initial costs, has yielded concrete results.
■ Progress since April 2023: Full-Scale Promotion of Smart Factory Transformation
Our company launched a specialized team for factory DX in 2021, undertaking network construction and joint IoT research. To ensure these efforts were not one-off but became a pillar of management, we officially organized them as the 'SF Promotion Department' in April 2023. We are promoting full-scale smart factory transformation while utilizing Kitakyushu City's DX subsidy.
■ What is the Kitakyushu DX Award?
This is a system hosted by Kitakyushu City that recognizes excellent companies engaged in business model transformation and the resolution of regional issues through the utilization of digital technology. Its purpose is to foster DX momentum throughout the region and promote industrial competitiveness and sustainable development.