Kakuichi Co., Ltd. (President: Riu Tanaka), as part of its regional contribution efforts through the Corporate Hometown Tax Donation system, has donated garage products via an in-kind contribution to the 'Chance Block' project—a kitchen car-based startup support program promoted by Kashima City, Ibaraki Prefecture. A handover ceremony was held in Kashima City on March 28, 2026 (Saturday), where keys were presented to the tenants.

What is the 'Chance Block'? This is a startup support project aimed at entrepreneurs who aspire to open physical stores around Kashima Jingu Shrine. It provides them with a kitchen car and an activity base (a garage) for up to two years, along with hands-on support for management and sales promotion. Compared to traditional startup shop programs, it is characterized by significantly lower initial investments and monthly costs for tenants.

This is the first initiative in Japan (according to Kashima City research) where a local government acts as the primary operator of a kitchen car-based startup shop program utilizing in-kind contributions through the Corporate Hometown Tax Donation system.

Kakuichi's Role In this project, Kakuichi donated garage products to Kashima City as an in-kind contribution under the Corporate Hometown Tax Donation system. By effectively reducing the development costs of the garage facilities used by tenants as their activity bases to zero, the company is helping to lower the barriers to starting a business.

For Kakuichi, which boasts a 140-year history, a 'garage' is not merely a storage space, but a 'place' where people nurture their dreams. Kakuichi’s philosophy is not just to deliver products, but to remain involved in the resulting changes within the community.

Comment from Riu Tanaka, President of Kakuichi Co., Ltd. Just like the 'miracle team' Kashima Antlers, which evolved from a local club into a perennial powerhouse, I want to create challengers who will fly from Kashima to the world.

This 'Chance Block' is the 'place' to make that happen. We are not just providing a container called a garage; we are building a stage for challenges. I believe that the first step taken here will eventually become a new legend for Kashima.

About Kakuichi Co., Ltd. A comprehensive manufacturer founded in 1886 (Meiji 19) with a 140-year history. The company develops a wide range of businesses, including warehouse garages, hoses, nanobubbles, solar power, and MaaS, handling everything from manufacturing to sales and construction. It has a nationwide sales and construction network and extensive experience in collaborating with local governments and regional businesses.

Kakuichi values not just 'proposing and finishing' when addressing regional issues, but thinking and running alongside local governments across the country.

This Corporate Hometown Tax Donation initiative is one such example. This model, where products function directly as a 'place' to support local challengers, is a new form of engagement with the community as envisioned by Kakuichi.

Official Website: https://www.kaku-ichi.co.jp/

'Chance Block' Overview Location: 1-9-25 Miyunaka, Kashima City, Ibaraki Prefecture Support Details: Loan of kitchen cars, hands-on management and sales promotion support, support for opening physical stores Organizer: Commerce, Industry and Tourism Division, Economic Promotion Department, Kashima City Operating Secretariat: KX Co., Ltd. Official Website: https://kashima-chance.site/ Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kashima.chance.site/

Inquiries regarding this matter Kakuichi Co., Ltd. CX Promotion Group Public Relations: Nagasaki TEL: 03-3262-3341 E-mail: [email protected]

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  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: partnership