New Caps Made from Recycled Fishing Nets Launched! Take Sustainable Action for Ocean Day

amu Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture; CEO: Hirohiro Kato; hereinafter 'amu') announces the launch of the 'Buddy Cap,' a baseball cap made from 'amuca®,' a material upcycled from used fishing nets collected domestically. This new product allows consumers to contribute to solving social issues while enjoying summer fashion.

Discarded fishing nets, the raw material for amuca®, are often disposed of in landfills, posing significant environmental burdens. Additionally, disposal costs place a heavy economic burden on fishermen. amu addresses both issues by upcycling waste nets into 'amuca®,' reducing environmental impact and alleviating financial strain on the fishing industry.

The product will be available starting July 9, 2026 (Thursday) on the official amuca® online store. It will also make its debut at a booth during the 'TAMAGAWA Cycle & Fishing Festa,' co-hosted by Eroica Japan and Fish Hook Inc. on July 18 (Saturday) and 19 (Sunday). On-site, amu will showcase items contributing to solutions for ocean, fisher, and fisheries challenges, and host an event to collect used fishing lines from anglers.

Introducing the 'Buddy Cap'—a baseball cap born from recycled fishing nets

amu launches the 'Buddy Cap,' crafted from 'amuca®,' a nylon material upcycled from used fishing nets collected in Japan. In addition to the existing 'BLACK' and 'OFFWHITE' options, a new 'BLUE' color is now available.

This product combines contributions to ocean conservation with summer fashion appeal. With water-repellent processing, it is suitable for diverse outdoor settings, including beaches and outdoor adventures. Sales begin on July 9 (Thursday) via the official amuca® online store.

amuca® official online store: https://shop.amuca.world/

amuca®: A material protecting the ocean, fishers, and local communities. Giving new value to tools that supported the fishing industry

End-of-life fishing gear faces numerous disposal challenges. Due to salt content, attached debris, and composite materials, sorting and cleaning processes are required, making incineration or recycling difficult. Most are landfilled, creating high environmental burdens due to their plastic composition and imposing significant economic costs on fishers.

Additionally, some gear enters the ocean due to natural disasters like typhoons and storm surges. Fishing gear accounts for approximately 40% (about 3.2 million tons) of the estimated 8 million tons of plastic entering oceans annually. Abandoned fishing gear, known as 'ghost gear,' continues to entangle marine life and degrade into microplastics, causing long-term ecological damage.

amu's upcycling of waste nets into 'amuca®' contributes to reducing and managing waste from the fishing industry. In the long term, this helps mitigate environmental risks associated with gear entering the ocean or being landfilled, supporting rich biodiversity.

Products made with amuca® feature an 'amuca® tag.' Scanning the QR code reveals information about the collection region of the discarded fishing gear and the production process. By visualizing how waste fishing gear is transformed into valuable resources, amu fosters emotional attachment to products and encourages longer usage, promoting a circular economy.

Buddy Cap's debut at the Takashimaya Tamagawa event: Sustainable items for Ocean Day

On July 18 (Saturday) and 19 (Sunday), the new 'Buddy Cap' colors will be displayed and sold at the 'TAMAGAWA Cycle & Fishing Festa,' co-hosted by Eroica Japan and Fish Hook. Visitors can experience the actual colors and feel of the product.

Enjoying fashion while taking easy, sustainable actions to contribute to solving social issues. Ideal for fishing, cycling, beach outings, and summer adventures.

The event features a wide range of items, from vintage to latest model bicycles, cycling wear, accessories, fishing gear, and art. Recommended for cycling and fishing enthusiasts, as well as those seeking new hobbies.

On the day, amu will also showcase fashion items contributing to solutions for ocean, fisher, and fisheries challenges. Together with Fish Hook, they will host an event to collect used fishing lines from anglers.

Product Lineup

- Buddy Cap: BLUE / OFFWHITE / BLACK - Buddy Sacoche: BLUE / OFFWHITE / BLACK - Buddy 2face Tote: WHITE / BLACK - Buddy T-shirt: WHITE / BLACK - Buddy Sunglasses Kesennuma model: BLUE / BLACK / BROWN - Buddy Sunglasses Ishigakijima model: BLUE / BLACK / BROWN

<amuca® Original Textile Design>

Some products feature original textile designs inspired by the culture of Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture—the collection site of the fishing nets used as raw materials.

DEFUNEOKURI

Captures a scene from 'Defuneokuri,' a traditional event in Kesennuma. As boats prepare to depart, crew families and friends send them off with colorful ribbons and 'Fukuraibata' (good catch flags). This warm, vibrant scene, symbolizing prayers for safe voyages and bountiful catches, is woven into the fabric, reflecting amu's desire to be a supportive presence for those embracing new challenges.

MURONEOROSHI

Depicts the 'Muroneoroshi,' a cold, sharp wind from Mount Muro in winter, essential for producing Kesennuma's famed dried shark fins. This wind dries the fins under the sun and creates a 'karan-karan' sound as fins collide, signaling completion. amu aims to convey the strength of turning harsh conditions into an advantage.

Fishing Line Collection Event

amu and Fish Hook will continue their fishing line collection project, initiated in April 2025, during this event. Feedback and suggestions from visitors for future product development will also be collected. amu and Fish Hook aim to create a world where anglers no longer need to discard fishing lines by continuously recycling them into various products. This initiative resonates with Takashimaya's sustainable action program, 'TSUNAGU ACTION.'

Takashimaya's Sustainable Action TSUNAGU ACTION: https://