#Japan #Agricultural Products #Ogasawara #Kakakunara #Remote Islands

Kakakunara's Innovative Supply Initiative

Kakakunara, a forward-thinking company based in Tokai City, Aichi Prefecture, has recently launched a remarkable initiative aimed at connecting consumers on remote islands with fresh local agricultural products from mainland Japan through its new "Island Project". This initiative strives to directly address and resolve the nutritional supply gaps between regions while concurrently expanding sales channels for local producers.

The company, which operates under a patented collaborative purchasing model (patent number: 7218026), is initially supplying goods from Kumamoto Prefectural Dairy Cooperative and products from Kochi Prefecture's Otsuki Town Road Station, which have been struggling with unsold inventory due to reduced customer numbers. The products are being delivered to Ogasawara Village in Tokyo, part of the beautiful and remote Ogasawara Islands.

Addressing Challenges in Remote Island Supply

The "Island Project" stands out as it aims to alleviate the unique structural issues that inhabitants of these islands face when purchasing food. With many islands lacking the necessary infrastructure, accessing various food ingredients has traditionally been challenging. Currently, Japan has a total of 256 inhabited islands recognized under the Government's Island Promotion Law, resulting in high dependence on outside sources for food supplies, which causes inflated prices and inconsistent availability.

Kakakunara's strategy focuses on reducing logistics costs, significantly benefiting consumers in Ogasawara by leveraging its unique collaborative purchasing model. This approach not only reflects in lower retail prices but also aligns with the specific needs of local consumers in terms of freshness and shelf life of food products.

The Unique Collaborative Purchasing Model

At the heart of the Island Project is Kakakunara's patented collaborative purchasing system, which decreases the frequency of shipping costs, ultimately lowering retail prices without compromising producers' profits. This innovative method is set to enhance the purchasing power of remote island residents, making local food items more accessible and affordable.

In contrast to conventional practices where the high shipping costs often inflate retail prices, Kakakunara’s model works to directly connect consumers with suppliers while minimizing middlemen and associated costs. This not only increases the purchasing capacity of island dwellers but also fosters a stronger community bond through the concept of collaborative buying.

Through the Island Project, Kakakunara is not only promoting the distribution of Japanese local food and agricultural products but is also diversifying purchasing opportunities for remote islanders. By applying their collaborative purchasing model, the company is committed to ensuring competitive retail prices locally, which will maintain and enhance the purchasing power of these consumers.

Future Aspirations

As the company progresses, it will not only continue exploring opportunities for local food and agricultural products across Japan but also aims to replicate the insights gained from the Island Project in Ogasawara on other inhabited islands nationwide. This initiative has the potential to become a model for revitalization and improved access to local Japanese produce in remote areas.

For additional inquiries or further information regarding the Island Project, please reach out to:

• - Contact: info@kakakunara.com
• - Representative: Takashiki Hamazaki