#Japan #Shibuya #NN Life Insurance #MONO MAKERS #小嶋織物

NN Life Insurance Visits Dutch Embassy with MONO MAKERS Participants

On April 13, 2026, NN Life Insurance Company, led by CEO Marius Popescu and based in Shibuya, Tokyo, hosted a delegation at the Dutch Embassy. This visit included Eriko Kojima, an executive at Kojima Orimono, based in Kizugawa, Kyoto Prefecture, among other noteworthy guests. The purpose was to share insights about the MONO MAKERS Program, a collaborative initiative designed to support young entrepreneurs in Japan's traditional industries.

In the front row of the delegation were Eriko Kojima, Naoko Ikehara from Studio Samira Boon, and Tomoko Toya from NN Life Insurance. They were joined in the back row by Martine Hoele, a policy officer at the Dutch Embassy, along with Bas Valkus. This meeting serves to underscore the continuing importance of cultural and human exchanges between Japan and the Netherlands.

The MONO MAKERS Program facilitates the exchange between Japanese artisans and innovative Dutch designers. During the embassy visit, discussions centered around the significance of such collaborations. Ms. Kojima, who has worked closely with Dutch designer Samira Boon through the program, shared her experiences and ideas about integrating traditional Japanese craftsmanship with contemporary design principles.

As a company with Dutch origins, NN Life Insurance has a history of various efforts aimed at connecting Japan and the Netherlands. The MONO MAKERS Program was launched in 2023 with a clear objective: to promote contemporary product development by fusing Japan's traditional craftsmanship with creative talent from abroad. This initiative not only aims to advance market access in Europe but also seeks to raise the profile of Japanese traditional industries.

The MONO MAKERS Program is dedicated to supporting young successors and entrepreneurs engaged in traditional crafts and manufacturing. Through this initiative, participants are afforded the opportunity to learn from the advanced design and business perspectives of the Netherlands. The collaboration with seasoned Dutch designers and site visits are integral parts of the program, ensuring sustainable growth for businesses and nurturing the next generation of craftsmen.

Selected Japanese young entrepreneurs are paired with designers, engaging in approximately a year of support leading up to domestic exhibitions of their outcomes. To find out more about the MONO MAKERS Program and its objectives, you can visit its official website at MONO MAKERS PROGRAM Website.

This initiative also addresses broader social issues, such as the shortage of successors in traditional industries and rural depopulation, aiming to create a sustainable future for these sectors. By empowering young leaders like those from Kojima Orimono, NN Life Insurance is making strides toward fostering a more vibrant, interconnected economic landscape.

In conclusion, the visit to the Dutch Embassy is a remarkable step forward, showcasing the commitment of NN Life Insurance and its partners to blend traditional and modern elements into a thriving business model. With a focus on collaboration, education, and the exchange of ideas, the MONO MAKERS Program is set to influence the future of traditional craftsmanship in Japan significantly.