A huge hit through crowdfunding? What is the miracle bag that connected Mongolia and Japan?
This tote bag has been chosen by over 20,000 people just two years after its release.
This bag was created by a 27-year-old Japanese man who started a brand in the foreign land of Mongolia.
So why did you decide to launch your brand in Mongolia?
Let's unravel each one.
Mongolia's serious social problems
In Japan, Mongolia is known primarily for its nomadic people and vast natural beauty.
Takahisa Toda, founder of the leather brand HushTug, also had this image in mind when he first visited Mongolia.
However, what I actually saw was completely different from what I had imagined.
- Children living on mountains of garbage and large slums
Burning tires to survive the -30°C winter causes the world's worst air pollution
For a 27-year-old young man, the sights were simply too shocking.
My encounter with Mongolian leather
Witnessing these social problems firsthand, Toda wondered if there was anything he could do to help.
Then, by chance, while out shopping, I pick up a leather product.
Although all the leather products were inexpensive, the quality was such that I wouldn't even go so far as to say they had good designs.
So Toda had an idea.
"Mongolia is a country with a lot of animals, so materials are available cheaply. If we combine that with Japanese technology and design, surely we can create products that can be used worldwide?"
Gradually, I began to see potential in Mongolian leather.
Aiming to create industry in Mongolia and solve social problems
After researching Mongolian leather in more detail, I found out that its quality is recognized around the world, and it is exported to Europe, the home of leather.
However, Mongolia did not have the technology to process leather and turn it into products, so it continued to export it at low prices.
To overcome these challenges, we thought we could tackle social issues by creating a globally recognized leather brand from Mongolia and increasing employment, and thus "HushTug" was born.
However, since I didn't know any craftsmen in Mongolia, I began by looking for one.
It took three months before I finally met Chimge, a leather craftsman who was willing to help me.
Together with Chimge, a young stranger who lent his support, they spent about a year developing the product, and were finally able to complete a tote bag that they were satisfied with.
First crowdfunding challenge!
Finally, we have started selling it in our home country of Japan through crowdfunding, with a goal of 500,000 yen.
Will this brand, born from a joint venture between Japan and Mongolia, be a success?
Please watch the YouTube video for more details.