#Japan #Tokyo #Food Waste #Kuradashi #osechi

Kuradashi's Efforts to Rescue Unsold Osechi Amid Market Challenges

As the year-end approaches, Kuradashi, a Tokyo-based social good marketplace, is taking proactive measures to rescue unsold osechi products. The company aims to reduce food waste by selling these items through its online platform, starting in November. However, this year presents unique challenges that have led to an unexpected rise in unsold inventory.

Reasons Behind Unsold Osechi

Osechi, the traditional New Year’s cuisine in Japan, is prone to producing food waste due to the lengthy lead time required for ingredient procurement and production. The upcoming season for osechi sales in 2026 is especially challenging due to three main factors:

1. Discrepancy in Budget Expectations

Research by Teikoku Databank revealed that the average price for osechi in 2026 is projected at 29,098 yen, nearly 1,000 yen higher than the previous year. In contrast, Kuradashi's survey indicated that around 70% of consumers have a budget cap of 15,000 yen. This discrepancy creates a significant gap between supply prices and consumer demand.

2. Impact of Revised Furusato Tax Rules

In October, the furusato tax deduction system underwent changes that resulted in a substantial drop in donations in December, after a surge in “last-minute donations” in September. Consequently, many merchants who anticipated selling osechi as return gifts are now left with unsold stock, triggering cries for help from these businesses.

3. Climate Change Effects on Seasonal Buying

Persistent warm weather has delayed consumers' shift into the year-end holiday mode, affecting early bookings for osechi. This lag, combined with increased demand during sales events like Black Friday in late November, has put additional pressure on manufacturers, leading to heightened inventory risk.

Feedback from Osechi Producers

When Kuradashi reached out to osechi producers regarding their sales experiences, numerous challenges were reported. Producers expressed concerns about balancing price increases with consumer sales numbers, as well as the impacts of changes to the furusato tax system.

Various producers reported:

• - Lowering of TV sales: “We're struggling as TV sales have not seen the expected growth this year, with inventory having no viable outlets.”
• - Decreased orders: “Some products that performed well last year have seen orders drop to about half this year.”
• - Change in donation patterns: “September saw a surge in donations for everyday items, leading to a drastic reduction in osechi orders compared to last December (from 200 units to just 30).”

These producers are facing a structurally unpredictable demand environment and are at risk of food waste even with high-quality products due to barriers in pricing and timing.

What is Kuradashi’s Unsold Osechi?

To address food waste, Kuradashi is leading an initiative branded “Rescue Osechi: A Good Deal for a Good Cause.” This initiative began in 2021 and has grown annually, successfully rescuing approximately 7,300 osechi packages last December alone. To date, over 23,000 unsold osechi packages have been rescued and sold.

This year, many consumers are taking the opportunity to enjoy “once-out-of-reach, value-priced osechi” at a fraction of the normal cost.

Sales Overview

• - Sales Period: Expected until the end of December 2025.
• - Special Page URL: Kuradashi Special Page
• - Note: Delivery dates vary by product; sales will end when inventory runs out, although the sales period may be extended.

Examples of Unsold Osechi Offerings

1. Furusato Tax Osechi
- Product Name: 2026 Osechi “Wayo Osechi Saikyo Three-Tier Box”
- Description: Originally prepared for furusato tax returns, potential stock for December is now at risk of becoming unsold.
- Price: 9,999 yen (tax included)

2. Affordable Osechi
- Product Name: 2026 Osechi “Toku Osechi Ume with 17 Items” for 2-3 people
- Description: An original osechi made from surplus components originally meant for retail sales.
- Price: 7,980 yen (tax included)

Kuradashi remains committed to reducing food waste while providing enjoyable shopping experiences that contribute to social good.

What is Kuradashi?

Kuradashi is a shopping platform dedicated to mitigating food waste by offering items that, though still safe for consumption, are at risk of being discarded. Many of these products are sold at discounted prices, and part of the revenue is donated to support various groups engaged in environmental and disaster relief efforts. This initiative promotes sustainable practices across several of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

• - Website: Kuradashi

About Kuradashi Co., Ltd.

• - CEO: Kohei Kawamura
• - Established: July 2014
• - Head Office: 3-2-1 Kamioosaki, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 141-0021
• - Website: Corporate Site
• - Sustainability Initiatives:

- Sustainability Site: Sustainability

Through innovative approaches, Kuradashi strives to create a marketplace where enjoyable shopping contributes to societal good.