Hibasanbyaku Secures 60 Million Yen in Series A Capital Alliance to Accelerate Business Connecting Forests and Economy

Hibasanbyaku Co., Ltd. (HQ: Tokyo; CEO: Akihito Usui) announced a Series A capital alliance worth 60 million yen with KKT LLC (President: Tamaki Kanemori).

Concurrent with this alliance, Tamaki Kanemori, President of KKT LLC, has been appointed as a director of Hibasanbyaku.

This funding will allow Hibasanbyaku to accelerate its utilization of regional resources centered on Aomori Hiba, development of circular products, regional revitalization projects, and investment in new business areas.

Under the vision "I find my balance, and so does the forest," Hibasanbyaku has been creating new value from underutilized regional resources such as Hiba wood scraps, sawdust, and bark, expanding into fragrance, lifestyle, wellness, tourism, and regional co-creation.

Moving forward, the company aims to grow into an entity that connects the local economy, forest environment, and consumer experiences by establishing a system where regional resources circulate continuously.

Background In recent years, society has faced overlapping challenges such as climate change, shrinking local economies, underutilized forest resources, and weakening ties between urban and rural areas.

At the same time, consumer values are shifting from mass consumption toward authenticity, circularity, connection with nature, and experiences that harmonize the mind and body.

Against this backdrop, Hibasanbyaku leverages Aomori Hiba, a unique regional resource, to develop: - Development and sales of lifestyle products utilizing Aomori Hiba - Product development in space and wellness sectors leveraging the scent of Hiba - Circular product development utilizing underutilized resources - Tourism, experience-based, and regional revitalization projects utilizing regional resources - Regional OS-type business development in cooperation with local governments and regional businesses

This alliance is intended to transition Hibasanbyaku's business into the next growth phase.

Primary Use of Funds 1. Strengthening Product Development: Improvement and development of Hiba-based sprays, shampoos, bath salts, pillow mists, and deodorizing/spatial care products. 2. Expanding Sales Channels: Strengthening presence in EC, hotels, ryokans, department stores, select shops, tourist facilities, and hometown tax programs (Furusato Nozei). 3. Investment in Regional Revitalization: Promoting tourism, creation of related populations, resource utilization, station revitalization, and experience-based content in areas such as Owani Town, Aomori Prefecture. 4. Building a Circular Supply Chain: Establishing systems to utilize wood scraps, sawdust, and bark without waste. 5. Strengthening Organizational Structure and Recruitment.

Vision Hibasanbyaku aims to design an economic flow that is returned to the region while aligning with the time scale of the forest, rather than simply "using up" forest resources. The company is committed to building a business that allows forests, people, and regions to have a long-term, sustainable relationship.