(Attachment 3)
Cool Japan Fund Inc.
Tokyo, September 25, 2014
Investing in a commercial facility
that will become a hub for Cool Japan in Malaysia
Cool Japan Fund today announced the decision to invest a maximum of 29.4
million RM (approx. 970 million JPY) alongside Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd.
(IMH) towards a commercial facility that will become a hub for Cool Japan in
Malaysia.
Through this project to create the world’s first Cool Japan commercial facility,
Cool Japan Fund supports the overseas development plans of small to mediumsized companies that have difficulty in expanding overseas independently, andaims to spread the Japanese lifestyle through Southeast Asia and the Islamic
world.
Southeast Asia is booming, and is a very important market for the Japanese
department store industry. In Malaysia, increases in population, average
household income, and the number of wealthy citizens has intensifiedcompetition in the retail sector, and it is becoming more and more necessary tofind a way to transcend the department store concept of the past and create an
entirely new business model.
Cool Japan Fund has decided to invest a maximum of 29.4 million RM (approx.
970 million JPY) alongside IMH towards the construction of a commercial
facility that will become a hub for Cool Japan in Malaysia.
The project will involve the renovation of existing IMH-owned store in the mostbustling area of Kuala Lumpur to create a Cool Japan hub, and the entire facility
is planned to be opened in October, 2015 (at a total investment cost of 60
million RM or 1.98 billion JPY and total commercial floor space ofapprox.11,000 m2).
This unprecedented commercial facility will offer an array of foods, fashion,cosmetics, general merchandise, interior furnishings, and lifestyle goods thatexemplify the excellence of both traditional and revolutionary Japanese
products and services. It will support the expansion plans of small to mediumsized companies that have difficulty expanding overseas independently,
including those which deal in regional products and traditional crafts.
Cool Japan Fund has gathered information on distribution, employee training,
quality control, Halal requirements and other aspects with the aim of
introducing Southeast Asia and the Islamic world to the Japanese lifestylethrough this facility in Malaysia, the world’s first commercial facility centred on
the Cool Japan concept. This is also expected to help spark an interest in Japanamong locals and increase tourists to Japan.
Cool Japan Fund will actively support small to medium-sized companies thattake part in this project. Those companies exemplifying Cool Japan ideal andlooking to expand overseas will be provided with information on funding andother support provided by related institutions such as Japan FinanceCorporation and Shoko Chukin Bank.
-[About Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd.]
Established: April, 2008
Business description:
1. Operational planning and administration of subsidiaries and groupcompanies operating in the department store industry, and related businesses.
2. Department store operations
Location of Head Office: Shinjuku 5-16-10, Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo
President and CEO: Hiroshi Ohnishi
Website: http://www.imhds.co.jp/english/[About Cool Japan Fund]
Cool Japan Fund was founded in November 2013 as a public-private fund under
law with the aim of supporting and promoting the development of overseas
demand for excellent Japanese products and services. We aim to commercialize
the Cool Japan concept and increase overseas demand by providing risk capitalfor businesses across a variety of areas, including media & content, food &services, and fashion and lifestyle.
(Website: http://www.cj-fund.co.jp/en/)-◆Contact for details regarding this document:
Cool Japan Fund Tel: +81(0)3-6406-7500