NPO Inclusive Japan (Headquarters: Matsumae Town, Iyo District, Ehime Prefecture, Representative Director: Toshiko Aoyama, hereinafter Inclusive Japan) has collaborated with Willbe Co., Ltd. (Location: Matsumae Town, Iyo District, Ehime Prefecture, President: Yasuyuki Takahashi, hereinafter Willbe) to develop a product that features artwork by disabled artists on the packaging of Willbe's popular product, 'Wafu Bannou Dashi Yasumaru'.

Aiming to promote a socially inclusive society from Matsumae Town, where both organizations are based, and to create a sustainable system for supporting the independence of people with disabilities, these products have been sequentially offered as return gifts for Matsumae Town's Furusato Nozei (hometown tax donation) starting from March 2026.

Limited Furusato Nozei Set of 'Wafu Bannou Dashi Yasumaru' Designed with Disabled Artists' Art

A Project to Add Color to the Familiar 'Dashi' in the Kitchen with Disabled Artists' Art

As part of its "Diversity & Inclusion" initiatives and measures to support social participation and independence for people with disabilities, Inclusive Japan has provided employment opportunities through art creation for its affiliated artists. This time, resonating with Willbe's philosophy of "spreading a circle of smiles and inspiration through food," and with a strong desire to "create a community-wide social contribution model" by having companies and NPOs from the same hometown, Matsumae Town, join hands, the collaboration led to the development of the package for this product.

Five disabled artists have added their unique sensibilities to "Wafu Bannou Dashi Yasumaru," a popular product of the company with cumulative sales exceeding 1 million bags. The artwork for this package was created with the image of "the warmth of family gathered around the dining table and the charm of local Ehime ingredients." The vibrant colors and bold brushstrokes express the "strength of the ingredients" of this high-quality dashi. Furthermore, this project utilizes Matsumae Town's Furusato Nozei as a platform, creating a system that directly returns the sentiments of donors nationwide to local welfare and regional economic revitalization. A portion of the donation amount is returned to the artists as wages for their work, making it a sustainable return gift that allows people across the country to enjoy cooking while continuously supporting the creative activities and employment support for people with disabilities in Matsumae Town.

- Participating Artists and Artwork Titles

Product Overview

Product Name: [Art Package Edition] Wafu Bannou Dashi Yasumaru (Furusato Nozei Limited Set)

Release Date: March 2026

Listing Portal Sites: Furusato Choice, Rakuten Furusato Nozei (other sites to be added sequentially)

Donation Amount: 25,000 yen

Contents: 264g (8.8g x 30 bags) x 5 bags

This is a versatile Japanese dashi made with a bonito base and five carefully selected domestic ingredients, suitable for any dish.

Uses iriko (dried sardines) from Ehime Prefecture. It brings out the umami of the ingredients, easily adding an authentic flavor to everyday cooking.

- How to Use

1. Simply place the tea bag directly into the pot

→ Recommended: 1 bag per 500ml of water. This creates a refined dashi, similar to that served in high-end restaurants.

2. Tear open the tea bag and use the contents

→ Can be used as a seasoning for stir-fries, dressed dishes, pre-seasoning, and various other dishes.

Messages from Matsumae Town Mayor and Representatives

- Matsumae Town Mayor Kosuke Tanaka

I am extremely pleased that Willbe Co., Ltd. and NPO Inclusive Japan, both based in Matsumae Town, have collaborated to launch a limited art package of 'Yasumaru Dashi' utilizing the works of disabled artists as a return gift for Matsumae Town's Furusato Nozei.

This initiative adds the rich sensibility and color of disabled artists' art to the appeal of Matsumae Town's representative product, delivering deliciousness and warmth to dining tables across Japan. Furthermore, by returning a portion of the donation amount to the artists, it leads to a sustainable system of regional co-creation that supports their creative activities and challenges towards independence.

This project, which connects the local community, welfare, art, and donors nationwide, is a wonderful initiative that embodies Matsumae Town's goal of becoming 'A Town Overflowing with the Joy of Living, Masaki'.

We sincerely hope that this warm, positive cycle originating from Matsumae Town will spread nationwide, and the town will wholeheartedly support it.

- Willbe Co., Ltd. President Yasuyuki Takahashi

We have been manufacturing and selling 'Yasumaru Dashi' with the aim of spreading umami culture.

We have now commenced sales of collaboration packages featuring artwork from Hikari no Atelier artists, with the support of Matsumae Town's Furusato Nozei.

We have heard that the artists are very happy that their works have become packages and will be delivered to customers as products.

We are delighted that, in addition to customers enjoying the product's deliciousness, the number of people who are happy in this way is increasing.

We earnestly hope that umami culture and a circle of smiles will spread from Matsumae Town.

- NPO Inclusive Japan Representative Director Toshiko Aoyama

I feel immense joy that the beloved brand 'Yasumaru Dashi' and the artists from Hikari no Atelier can collaborate. The opportunity to deliver this to people across Japan as a Furusato Nozei return gift holds a significance far beyond mere commercialization for us. It is a story of 'taking flight,' where the delicate and rich sensibilities of artists with disabilities are delivered to dining tables throughout Japan through a trusted brand representing the region.

We believe that our ability, as welfare facility operators in the same town, to join hands and create new value is a form of hope within a socially inclusive society. We hope that everyone who picks up this package will feel the power and potential of art along with the deliciousness of Yasumaru Dashi, and spend a heartwarming time. We wish for this challenge, connecting the region, welfare, and people nationwide through art, to bring color and smiles to many dining tables.

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Inclusive Japan's Initiatives

Established in March 2017 with the philosophy of "Diversity & Inclusion," aiming to realize a society where people with disabilities can feel joy and purpose in life and lead independent social lives. We operate the employment support B-type facilities "Hikari no Atelier" and "Hikari no Atelier 2nd" in Ehime Prefecture. Our organization provides employment support through art creation and digital activities. In 2021, we opened "ART CAFÉ Inclusive supported by NESCAFÉ" in partnership with TOPPAN Co., Ltd., creating opportunities for social participation through cafe operations. In recent years, we have promoted collaborations with companies and communities through rental art services and digital archives utilizing artwork by disabled artists. We are engaged in initiatives to broaden social connections through art.

- Facility Introduction Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFY1HKOMY

ART CAFÉ Inclusive supported by NESCAFÉ Inclusive, Matsuyama Hikari no Atelier 2nd

Rental Art Business: We lend artwork by disabled artists to companies and stores, aiming to create social connections and increase wages. Para Art Gallery Masaki An initiative that treats the entire Matsumae Town Hall as a museum.

Willbe's Initiatives Willbe Co., Ltd. is a food manufacturer that produces and sells "Yasumaru Dashi." With the philosophy of "spreading a circle of smiles and inspiration through food," we continue to explore the potential of 'dashi,' the origin of Japanese food culture.

Our flagship product, "Yasumaru Dashi," is made with carefully selected domestic ingredients, including iriko from Ehime Prefecture, and is supported by customers nationwide as a dashi pack that allows for authentic flavors to be easily enjoyed at home.

In recent years, in addition to our conventional dashi pack business, we have expanded our business domain to include liquid seasonings, instant noodles, and spice products. We are also actively developing products that meet diverse consumer needs, such as "Baby Dashi" and collaboration products with celebrities.

Furthermore, our group companies are involved in supporting employment for people with disabilities, promoting the creation of environments where many individuals with disabilities can thrive in a wide range of fields, including manufacturing, logistics, food service, and advertising. We practice management that values coexistence with the local community, aiming to balance business growth with social contribution.

▪️Media Inquiries Regarding This Release

NPO Inclusive Japan Contact: Toshiko Aoyama (Representative Director)

TEL: 090-4335-9737 / MAIL: [email protected]

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  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: 地域共生プロジェクト