[Event Report in Tokyo] We exhibited at Taiyo no Marche!

Hello!
This is Ishida from the Clothing Exchange.
I am here to report on the 'Clothing Exchange' held on March 8th and 9th, 2025, at 'Taiyo no Marche,' organized by the Taiyo no Marche Executive Committee (Kachidoki Nishi Town Association and Mitsui Fudosan Residential Co., Ltd.).

Please see below for why we, One Piece Co., Ltd., started the Clothing Exchange.

https://note.com/fukukoukan_2023/n/n2b5ea5edf6b5

Event Details

Thoughts on the Event

As a circular project, we collaborated as three entities—'Clothing Exchange (One Piece)' × 'Mitsui Fudosan Residential' × 'MIFA'—with the goal of realizing a circular cycle within the bay area. This time, with the theme of 'Choices adults can make for the future of children,' we realized a new initiative that goes beyond just clothing exchange, allowing for the exchange of children's shoes and cleats as well. I have three children myself, and all three play soccer. Because of this, I often hear, 'My cleats are too small!' after only about three months, leading to conversations like, 'What? They're still in good condition, and you need to replace them already?' When children start getting absorbed in soccer or sports, the financial burden on families increases due to the rapid need to replace cleats and sportswear as they outgrow them, compounded by rising prices. We held this event with the hope of providing some support for that financial burden through 'exchange.'

Event Overview

Please see below for the venue, times, and rules for this event.

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000068.000064227.html

About Taiyo no Marche

What is Taiyo no Marche?

2013 was two years after the Great East Japan Earthquake. At that time, there were concerns about the weakening of community ties among local residents and a lack of convenience in living areas following the disaster. As Mitsui Fudosan Residential, we started 'Taiyo no Marche' with the desire to provide an opportunity for residents to create a community themselves, rather than just supplying housing. It seems that the project name 'WANGAN ACTION' was born while advancing various initiatives in the bay area, led by Taiyo no Marche.

Scenes from the Event

The impact of the first Tokyo event in two years

The first day was freezing, cold enough to snow. Despite the cold, 174 people attended. I was very happy to see people expressing their joy, saying things like, 'I've been waiting for this!' and 'You finally came to Tokyo!' However, the weather that night was terrible—heavy rain mixed with sleet. I covered all the clothes with blue tarps I had purchased in advance and wrapped them tightly with plastic wrap to keep the sheets from blowing away. It was a very worrying night, wondering if the clothes would be okay.
The second day. The weather recovered, it was warm, and the conditions were perfect. Wondering if everything was okay, I headed to the venue and saw the event staff soaking up puddles with rags! I felt the greatness of professional work in preparing the venue to be in perfect condition.
As for the items themselves... thanks to the blue tarps, there was no worry about them getting wet, and I was relieved to find the clothes weren't damp at all. And the number of participants that day was... a staggering 371 people, far exceeding the first day!

Participants arriving one after another

Despite the cold, our tent was packed within about 30 minutes of opening on the first morning. One person said, 'I'm so glad I could see you again after two years! I'll come back tomorrow!' and left with a big smile and many items. Another person pushing a stroller stopped by and asked, 'What are you doing here?' When I explained and told them, 'You can take one item home even if you didn't bring anything today!', they looked surprised and said, 'Really!? Are you sure!?' As they left, they happily took some children's clothes, saying, 'I got something great!'
One person told us, 'I always visited your permanent store in Kobe whenever I went back to my parents' home. I was so sad when it closed and there were no events in Tokyo, so I'm just so happy I could finally come!'
We also received such heartwarming words: 'This is such a wonderful initiative, please keep it going! If there's anything I can do as a volunteer, please let me help!'
It was a moment that made me realize how many people support this clothing exchange event, and it gave me the energy to think, 'Alright, let's do another Tokyo event!'

Children's Dreams

'Choices adults can make for the sake of children's future'With this theme, I began to wonder what kind of dreams children have, and I felt a desire to support those dreams through our exchange events. I believe that by adults engaging in even small activities that are considerate of the global environment, we can help create a society where children don't have to limit their outdoor play or sports in the summer. That is something adults can do.
To encourage as many adults as possible to think about what they can do for the global environment, I interviewed children about their dreams on video.
Among those dreams were:
- I want to go to the sky!
- I want to be a cabin attendant!
- I want to work to protect the global environment!
I felt strongly that I want this exchange event to be a place that supports these dreams!!
Here is a story about a boy during the interviews.
When I asked his mother, 'May I ask your child about their dream and record a video?', I asked the boy next to her, 'Do you have a dream?' He happily replied, 'I want to go above the clouds!' When I said, 'Okay, I'll record the video later!', he looked so happy.
Just as that parent and child were leaving, I was busy and they disappeared before I knew it, and I felt disappointed, thinking, 'Oh no!'
A little later, someone called out, 'Excuse me,' and when I turned around, it was the mother I had spoken to about the interview. She said, 'My son really wanted to record the video, so we came back.'
I was so happy that I bowed deeply and said, 'Really!? Thank you so much!'
During the interview, the mother looked so happy, and the sight of them walking away holding hands, saying, 'Let's do our best for your dream!', left a lasting impression on me.
Watching them walk away, I found myself smiling, and the cold was blown away!
I plan to put this together into an Instagram Reel soon, so please look forward to it!

Summary of Results

Total participants: 545
Items brought: 1,129
Items taken: 981
Circulation rate: 86.9%
Weight exchanged: 301.1kg
CO2 reduction: 0.0943kg
(CO2 reduction from avoiding incineration through reuse / 0.0003132kg per 1kg)

Participant Feedback

Since this was the first Tokyo event in two years, we received many shares on social media and heard various comments at the venue!
- It's a style I don't usually wear, but I love it!
- I'll take good care of these two items that will be useful in spring and summer!
- It saves money and is kind to the Earth. It's amazing!
- I used to go to your permanent store in Hyogo, but I'm glad you held an event here after I was transferred to Tokyo!
- I'd like to help out as a volunteer too! etc.
We received many other happy comments as well.
It is precisely because this exchange event is supported by such people that I have a reason to continue.
As long as there are voices like these, I cannot stop.
After all, these kinds of comments are the moments that make my life worth living.

Finally

We received cooperation from so many people leading up to and during this event. Mr. Suzuki from Mitsui Fudosan Residential Co., Ltd., who hosted the event. Mr. Hayase and Mr. Sorimachi from JR East Marketing & Communications, Inc., who reached out to us about the clothing exchange. Ms. Kuwaki and Ms. Yamaji, who handled the operations during the event. Yasuyo-san, who helped with the setup as a volunteer. Goto-san, who helped with the operation and cleanup on the day as a volunteer. And the 545 people who participated.
This exchange event is made possible thanks to the cooperation of many others as well. With gratitude and thanks for this event, I would like to connect this to our next one.