Build-up investment focuses on industries with latent growth potential by providing significant capital and operational know-how to rapidly scale businesses. But what kind of approach is needed to create leading companies in critical sectors like decarbonization and regional revitalization? And what kind of future can we envision from these efforts?

BLANC is creating new value for Japan’s tourism assets through harmonious coexistence with nature and the introduction of unique experiences. CEO Takuya Yamanaka envisions communities where environmental preservation and sustainable utilization can coexist. What kind of sophisticated approach was built to support this vision?

Yuji Matsumoto: We began by focusing on one of Japan’s major social challenges: regional revitalization. Our first project in this area was a capital injection of approximately 1.5 billion yen into BLANC Inc. in December 2023, a company that develops nature-integrated luxury hotels. Expanding tourism infrastructure offers both significant growth potential and social value, and we were deeply inspired by BLANC and President Yamanaka’s mission. POD Capital decided to participate in the regional revitalization space to help rebuild both domestic and international tourism demand, which had declined during the pandemic. Revitalizing local hotels is the first step toward strengthening tourism as a core industry and, ultimately, building a sustainable society.

Jun Kyogoku: BLANC has a unique design philosophy and the ability to rapidly develop small-scale, high-value-added hotels. Despite being in the early stage with annual revenue under 300 million yen, the company has the potential to emerge as a key player leading the industry. POD Capital is not merely providing capital—we are actively supporting the company in areas such as corporate governance, organizational reinforcement, and marketing strategy. By helping BLANC fully realize its competitive advantages and expand nationwide, we aim to empower regional communities across Japan.

Yuji Matsumoto: For this initiative, POD Capital established a dedicated fund, joined by investors from Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea, and beyond. This allows us to incorporate global perspectives and assess societal trends and needs with a broader view. Projects already underway include “RuGu Glamping Resort,” a villa-style resort located on the southernmost tip of Miyako Island in Okinawa, and “BLANC FUJI,” a nature-integrated hotel in Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi Prefecture. We plan to open three new hotel sites annually going forward. Regional revitalization is a vital endeavor in today’s Japan. By building a new value chain in an evolving market, we aim to establish a fresh formula for industrial stability.

BLANC Inc.:
With a mission to “Create a sustainable society through Mobile Transformation (MX),” BLANC rethinks conventional hotel development by shifting away from the traditional “build and demolish” approach. Instead, they utilize mobile trailer houses as guest rooms. By developing these units in-house, they offer new types of lodging experiences.

Regional Revitalization:
Japan is home to vast and beautiful natural environments, much of which remains underutilized due to various regulations. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, inbound tourism demand has surged. Now more than ever, it’s essential to showcase Japan’s ability to create regions that balance environmental preservation with sustainable utilization to a global audience.

Case 1. Smart Energy

Profile

Atsushi Kyogoku　Partner, ESG Investing Managing Partner / POD Capital, Inc.

Atsushi works as rep director of POD Capital.

Previously, he worked in the corporate sales division at Sompo Japan.
Previously, he worked at Asset Management Division of Goldman Sachs Japan Co., Ltd., responsible for growth and buyout investments in Japan. He served as external board director of Japan Renewable Energy Corporation, Smart Energy Co., Ltd., and ILS Inc.

Prior to Goldman Sachs, he worked at McKinsey Japan for three years after graduating from the University of Tokyo with a BA in Laws.
Atsushi loves fishing and drinking, while he more often goes for a run to maintain his shape.

Profile

Yuji Matsumoto　Representative Director of POD Inc., Co-Representative Director of Capital Inc.

In 2020, after leaving Goldman Sachs, founded POD Corporation. With the aim of promoting social contribution activities, the company has formed a team of professionals active in a wide range of fields, including asset management, social branding, and capital support. The organization advocates for the “visualization of ESG” in corporate activities and strives to create a culture where giving back to society becomes part of everyday conversation.