Jiji Press invested in 物語運輸, and Sakai Katsuhiko (境 克彦) was appointed as an outside director of 物語運輸. The two companies aim to build a new "cultural distribution" framework integrating the dissemination of information on Japanese culture with product development and e-commerce.
Jiji Press entered into a capital and business partnership with 物語運輸, and President Sakai Katsuhiko (境 克彦) will become an outside director of 物語運輸. By combining its strengths in information dissemination with functions covering product planning and development, e-commerce and overseas marketing, the partnership aims to convey the value of Japanese culture in Japan and abroad while connecting it with purchasing and experiences.
The partnership's distinguishing feature is that it links the process consistently from information dissemination through to experiences and purchases, rather than being limited to public relations or a capital relationship, allowing value to circulate from the stage of learning about Japanese culture to the stage of conveying it. Jiji Press's strengths include its long-standing ability to disseminate information and its network of local governments, while 物語運輸 has consistently handled activities ranging from discovering Japanese culture and craftsmanship through to testing them in overseas markets, e-commerce, sales and branding.
By combining their respective strengths, the two companies aim to build a framework that does more than simply convey the value of Japanese culture, linking it to actions such as buying, experiencing and passing it on to the next generation. They seek to realise a new form of "cultural distribution" through which Japanese culture can continue to generate value.