[Reconstruction support for the Great East Japan Earthquake] Cashmere Angel Bookmark

14 Years of 3/11 Tohoku Reconstruction Support

Cashmere Craftsmen in Iwate, a Disaster-Stricken Area
Support Activities Through Cashmere Knit Production

Continued Donations as a Corporate Citizen in the Disaster-Stricken Iwate

In October 2011, our company relocated its factory from Yamanashi to Iwate in search of knit artisans.

At that time, the Tohoku region was still in a state of chaos, half a year after the Great East Japan Earthquake, and nearly 600 people had evacuated from the coastal areas to Kitakami City, which had suffered relatively little damage.

As newcomers, we wondered if there was anything we could do as corporate citizens. We decided that for every cashmere pullover sold, we would donate 100 yen, hoping it would help cover heating oil costs during the cold Tohoku winter. We began making these donations through the Kitakami City Hall and the Iwate Prefectural Government.

At the same time, also to promote cashmere, we created and sold the world's softest "Angel's Bookmark," and decided to donate 100 yen for each one sold.

Cashmere Angel Bookmark

　
Each "Cashmere Angel Bookmark" is handcrafted by UTO employees, who carefully choose the color combination of the bookmark and its tassel.
These bookmarks are sold for 300 yen each, with 100 yen from each sale donated to charity.

The combination of the bookmark's body color and tassel color is also handcrafted.
Each design is unique and will be delivered at random.

Annual Donations Through Kitakami City, Iwate Prefecture

We donate 100 yen to support victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake, and our donations, which began in 2012, have now exceeded 4 million yen.

Through these donations, Kitakami City Hall provided free "kerosene vouchers" and "disaster prevention radios (upper)" to those who had evacuated to Kitakami City.

We received a direct thank-you from one recipient who said, "Thanks to your support, I was able to spend the cold winter warmly. When I evacuated to an unfamiliar place, I felt a strong sense of 'loneliness' and 'anxiety,' but with the 'disaster prevention radio,' I could hear the voices of those around me, which brought me great relief and allowed me to live each day with a sense of security. I am extremely grateful." Hearing this made us happy to know that our support was reaching many people.

As time passes, memories of the tragic Great East Japan Earthquake are fading, and donations appear to be decreasing.

Furthermore, they mentioned that they are now searching for "the next step" after completing the 10-year "reconstruction support" phase.

Upon hearing this, we, too, as manufacturers in Iwate, Tohoku, are exploring "the next step" while striving to create "the best products" locally and deliver "the best cashmere knits" to everyone.

In doing so, we hope to be a significant force in supporting and revitalizing Tohoku. As corporate citizens of Iwate, we wish to continue doing what we can, however small, to contribute.