Mab Takes on the Challenge of Reducing Japan's Restaurant Closure Rate Ahead of Osaka Expo 2025

Challenging Japan's Restaurant Closure Crisis

Japan's restaurant industry faces a daunting challenge: nearly 30% of new eateries close within their first year, and a staggering 70% shut down within three years. This phenomenon is not just about lost businesses; it deeply impacts local communities, resulting in diminished community vibrancy, loss of jobs, and declining shopping districts.

In response to this crisis, 株式会社Mab (Mab Inc.), headquartered in Higashinada, Kobe, is launching an innovative program registered under the official TEAM EXPO 2025 initiative at the Osaka Kansai Expo. The initiative, dubbed "Make a Base" with challenge number C10585, aims to collaboratively tackle the pressing issue of high restaurant closure rates in Japan.

Understanding the Context

The regional dining establishments, often deeply integrated into the community fabric, are facing unique challenges: inadequate preparation during the opening phase, mismatches in location or restaurant concept, and a lack of know-how in customer attraction and revenue management are among the key contributors to this alarming trend. These issues highlight the critical need for sustained support and innovative solutions within the restaurant sector.

Mab's mission transcends merely keeping restaurants open; it aims to cultivate thriving and sustainable dining culture that can contribute positively to Japan's economy. With past experience in supporting restaurants with design, construction, customer attraction strategies, and digital operations, Mab is on a path to establish a national ecosystem focused on long-term prosperity for these businesses.

Our Approach to the Co-Creation Challenge

In this co-creation challenge, Mab will explore five core initiatives to ensure a vibrant dining sector:

1. Pre-Opening Diagnostic Tool
A comprehensive scoring system will assess essential elements such as financial planning, location, interior design, and menu development to visualize potential risks.

2. Open-Support Package
A cohesive support framework for the first six months after opening, including POS management, inventory tracking, profitability analysis, and customer engagement assistance.

3. Prosperity Data Platform
Leveraging anonymized sales data and AI, we will automatically generate benchmarks tailored to specific restaurant types.

4. Learning and Networking Community
An online forum combined with biannual physical events will foster the exchange of successful case studies and shared learning experiences.

5. Expo Demonstration Field
Engage with real services from 10-15 restaurants near the Expo site, enabling people to experience and witness the initiatives firsthand.

Seeking Collaborative Partners

To enhance this challenge, Mab is actively seeking partners, particularly within the fintech sector, to develop new financial sustainability models. Collaborations with local governments, financial institutions, food tech companies, and other entities in the dining industry are crucial for extending our support network across all 47 prefectures. If you are interested in contributing to this transformative mission, feel free to reach out for more information.

Leadership Statement

Mab’s COO, Seiichi Shin, emphasizes, "Transforming the dining industry into a sustainable one is a critical challenge that connects Japan’s culinary heritage with its communities. Let's unite at the global stage of the Expo to collaboratively redesign the cycle of prosperity in this sector."

What is the Co-Creation Challenge?

The Co-Creation Challenge is part of the TEAM EXPO 2025 program, where diverse individuals and organizations come together to autonomously tackle specific initiatives aimed at achieving a vision for a more ideal future society. Engaging corporations, local governments, non-profits, and educational institutions is integral to addressing challenges and creating value, ultimately aligning with the Expo's theme—"Designing a Future Society Where Life Shines."

For more details visit TEAM EXPO 2025 or learn more about 株式会社Mab at Mab Inc..