Detailed List of Business Achievements
Track Record | OVERVIEW
Our Record of Execution
and Results – Implementing on the ground
Octo Force Group drives projects forward through a unified team equipped with execution capabilities and expertise across diverse fields such as business investment, business development, finance, and hands-on support. On this page, we present an overview of our support approach alongside some of the achievements we have accomplished together.
Bringing Artisan Craftsmanship into the Modern Era: Brand & SCM Support
Food & Beverage | Premium Edomae Sushi
Sushi “Kadowaki”
Hands-on Direct Operational Investment
Consulting
Located in Ginza 7-chome, Sushi “Kadowaki” operates with a select team led by Chef Kadowaki, offering guests the unique experience to see every step of the sushi-making process in front of them. Our concept is to provide a blissful moment where guests can savor the finest sushi with all senses. Ingredients are carefully selected not only from the Toyosu Market but also through exclusive distribution channels. By applying the traditional Edomae “aging” technique, the perfect balance of ultimate freshness and rich flavor is achieved.
As a directly operated business of Octo Force Group, “Sushi Kadowaki” was established not just as a restaurant, but beyond, as an immersive brand experience. Leveraging the processing expertise and logistics network cultivated by our seafood processing subsidiary, Genten, we built a supply chain that collaborates directly with producers. This approach enables a system of direct-from-origin sourcing with guaranteed quality—something typically challenging for sushi establishments in Ginza—thereby laying the foundation to consistently deliver a superior, high-quality experience to our customers.
Featured for two consecutive years in the “Best Restaurants in Tokyo” guide in 2024 and 2025, Sushi Kadowaki has earned high acclaim from VIPs both domestically and from overseas. We have firmly established the brand as a highly sought-after and hard to book destination. Moreover, through collaboration with Genten, we have gained a strong reputation in production management, environmental sustainability, and product development, creating a system that consistently delivers top-tier ingredients. These efforts have enabled us to standardize the know-how of Edomae techniques while developing a scalable model for a premium sushi experience—marking a significant achievement in our operational business.
Takatoshi Kadowaki
Trained from the age of 17 at a sushi restaurant in Machida City, Tokyo, where he mastered the fundamentals of Edomae sushi. Upon his mentor’s retirement, he moved to the United States. There, he met Masaharu Morimoto of “Iron Chef,” with whom he has maintained a close mentor-protégé relationship to this day. After returning to Japan, he served as executive chef for a major food and beverage company. Featured extensively in the media, he has also developed strong connections with prominent figures in various circles. He in person visited fishermen and wholesalers in Hakata, Tsushima, Oita, and the Goto Islands to establish unique sourcing channels. In Arita, he collaborated with rising ceramic artist Takayuki Nishi to commission custom tableware. Culminating his journey, “Sushi Kadowaki” was opened in Ginza.
A Regional Soul Food Challenge Rooted in Uniqueness and Scalability
Scale Support through Joint Management
Hands-on Direct Operational Investment
Consulting
Food & Beverage | Yakitori Business Segment
Hakata Kawaya
Project Overview“Kawa-kushi,” a beloved soul food of Fukuoka for many years.
The renowned establishment “Kawaya,” considered the origin of this delicacy, has continuously garnered enthusiastic local support as a highly sought-after hard-to-book restaurant.
Building on the vision of founder Mitsuyuki Kyotani, who aspired to make “kawa” as globally recognized as mentaiko, Octo Force Group supports the commercialization and brand development of this concept.
In November 2017, Octo Force Group sold 50% of its stake in Kawaya International Co., Ltd., the operator of “Kawaya Tokyo,” to J Group Holdings Co., Ltd. (listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth Market). This marked the transition into a growth acceleration phase under a joint management structure.
J Group is a prominent restaurant chain with over 150 locations nationwide, including its flagship brand “Imozou.” Recognizing the complementary strengths of J Group’s operational expertise and Octo Force Group’s financial and business development know-how, the two companies entered into a strategic capital alliance.
Octo Force Group, as the master franchisee, is driving expansion both in Tokyo and across Japan. Kawaya International is transitioning from a “local shop” to a full-fledged “business,” positioning itself for future growth with an eye toward potential public listing.
In brand development, we leverage Kawaya’s unique and proprietary cooking process—“wrapping, grilling, and resting the chicken skin”—which ensures exceptional consistency and scalability of craftsmanship. Alongside expanding our presence in the Tokyo metropolitan area and overseas, we are committed to elevating the brand’s value nationwide.
A Co-Creation Model That Carries Forward the Founder’s Vision
This project, which embodies the vision left by Mitsuyuki Kyotani, founder of Kawaya, is not merely an investment but a co-creation model that integrates branding, operational design, and capital strategy. As an initiative to elevate renowned local establishments into enduring businesses, it stands as a prime example of Octo Force Group’s investment philosophy in action.
Redefining Regional Brands and Multi-Store Expansion Strategies
Hands-on Direct Operational Investment
Consulting
Food & Beverage｜Okonomiyaki / Teppanyaki, Yakiniku
Okonomiyaki & Teppanyaki Kawamoto
Yakiniku Kawamoto
Project Overview
Founded in 1998 in Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, “Kawamoto” is a long-established okonomiyaki brand. Leveraging a unique blend of flour and broth along with expert teppan skills, we have expanded our presence across the prefecture, including Yamaguchi City and Ube City, earning a strong local following. Currently, alongside our newly launched “Yakiniku Kawamoto,” we are dedicated to building a growth model that preserves and passes down the authentic local flavors to future generations.
Kawamoto has built a solid brand presence and garnered strong local support over more than 25 years since its founding. Building on this foundation, we are advancing the standardization of our products and refining our operational frameworks, while preparing to transition into the next phase of growth, including franchise expansion and business succession.
In 2023, we also took on the challenge of launching a new concept, “Yakiniku Kawamoto.” This move further demonstrates our capability to expand within the teppan cuisine sector and our commitment to multi-location management from a more diversified perspective.
In this project, we supported operational reforms and brand development centered on Kawamoto’s core strengths: its “unrivaled expertise in teppan cooking” and its “community-rooted approachability,” with a view toward future multi-store expansion.
We have driven initiatives to enhance the sustainability and scalability of the business by refining the product lineup, optimizing the balance between cost and profitability, and establishing a sustainable talent development framework.
This brand, which operates not only okonomiyaki and teppanyaki but also yakiniku concepts, exemplifies our group’s hands-on support in transforming a beloved local establishment into a resilient, future-proof business model.
CASE
04鮮魚加工の高付加価値化とグループシナジー創出
● 福岡県
● 地域密着型経営
ハンズオン・直営投資
コンサルティング
水産加工業
株式会社 玄天
プロジェクト概要オクトフォースグループは、2019年8月、福岡県福岡市に本社を構える水産加工会社「株式会社 玄天」に資本参加しました。
玄界灘、日本海、東シナ海など、豊かな漁場で獲れた新鮮な魚介類を原料とし、国際基準に基づく衛生管理体制と高度な加工技術を武器に、全国の大手回転寿司チェーンや量販店へ高品質な鮮魚加工品を提供する企業です。
玄天は、水産加工技術の高さと現場主義のオペレーション力に加え、独自の冷凍技術（3Dフリーザー）を活用した鮮度維持のノウハウを有しており、オクトフォースグループの食品関連事業と親和性が高いことから、戦略的資本参加を行いました。
出資後は、同社創業家のリーダーシップとともに、グループ全体における水産流通の中核的ポジションを担う企業として成長支援を実施しています。
出資後は、既存の加工販売事業に加え、国内流通網の強化を図っています。
さらに、かっぱ寿司（カッパ・クリエイト株式会社）とのコラボフェアにおいては、従来の「魚種・産地」ではなく加工会社“玄天” の名を前面に出したブランディングで業界内の注目を集めました。同フェアでは、玄天が誇る「プロフェッショナルによる手作業加工」と「3Dフリーザーによる高鮮度技術」が高く評価され、国内トップクラスの品質を担保するプレミアム加工会社として、回転寿司マーケットに新たな価値を提供しています。
Vertical Integration Model of the Fisheries Industry and Izakaya Restaurants
Hands-on Direct Operational Investment
Consulting
Food & Beverage | Seafood Izakaya
Seafood Izakaya Hamayaki Taro
Project OverviewThe seafood izakaya brand “Hamayaki Taro,” operating approximately 30 locations nationwide, is currently restructuring its franchise headquarters functions following the acquisition. While developing brands tailored to regional characteristics, we are establishing a comprehensive support system that integrates store development, operational improvement, and talent cultivation to enhance the overall quality of the franchise network.
In collaboration with the seafood processing company “Genten,” we are also strengthening our procurement of fresh, direct-from-origin products. By building a supply chain that connects upstream to downstream, we aim to achieve both stability and profitability as a foodservice business.
Octo Force Group is supporting the restructuring of Hamayaki Taro’s headquarters’ operational management system and the redesigning of its growth strategies since the acquisition. Leveraging the supply system of fresh, high-quality seafood products through “Genten,” we are committed to fundamentally strengthening the business model beyond conventional franchise support.
Furthermore, through the collaboration between “Genten × Hamayaki Taro,” we are establishing a vertically integrated model in the seafood f&b sector. By unifying dining, processing, and distribution, we enable a reassessment of cost structures and product differentiation, thereby upgrading the regenerative franchise model.
Domestic Expansion and Business Development of International Luxury Brands
× International Collaboration
Strategic Investments & Business Sponsorship
Consulting
Entertainment
CÉ LA VI TOKYO
Project OverviewOn December 5, 2019, “CÉ L A VI TOKYO,” marking its debut in Japan, opened on the 17th and 18th floors of Tokyu Plaza Shibuya, a symbol of the Shibuya redevelopment.
CÉ LA VI is an internationally acclaimed brand renowned for its urban luxury experiences, with flagship locations atop Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, in Dubai, Taipei, and Shanghai. This launch brings its distinguished lifestyle concept to the Japanese market.
In this project, Octo Force Group served as the financial advisor, playing a key coordinating role. Although the opening coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, rigorous measures were implemented to design an environment that minimized close contact. As a result, initial projections for customer turnout and sales were exceeded, establishing the site as a new landmark in Shibuya.
Achievements and RecognitionEven after project completion, we maintain close collaboration with the Singapore headquarters and affiliated group companies to ensure that on-site operations are consistantly in alignment with brand policies.
Sustainability-Driven Business Development and Public-Private Collaboration
Carbon Neutrality
Consulting
Policy Evaluation, Energy Transition, and Business Development
Sustainability Initiative Support for Government Ministries and Agencies
Project OverviewIn 2020, our company was commissioned by central government agencies to participate in a public-sector initiative supporting the implementation of advanced ventilation systems. We were responsible for collecting ventilation performance data primarily from restaurants, analyzing the effectiveness, and preparing policy evaluation reports, thereby providing valuable insights to balance infection control measures with business operations. During the same period, in collaboration with our partner, Denryoku Sharing Co., Ltd. (a company promoting electricity sharing), we implemented a project aimed at transforming energy demand structures through shifts in consumption patterns, with the goal of achieving carbon neutrality across all aspects of daily life.
The food and beverage industry, heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, required concrete measures that balance safety and business. By combining our expertise in food service operations with practical capabilities in data collection and analysis, we objectively evaluated policy effectiveness and supported the enhancement of guideline implementation formulated by central government agencies.
In the energy sector, we are collaborating with “Denryoku Sharing Co., Ltd.” to realize 11 initiatives, including the design of a PtoP trading platform for energy-efficient vegetables, a distribution platform for seafood targeting environmentally conscious consumers, and the development of supply chains that minimize food waste.
Recently, we have been expanding our consulting projects in our core areas of expertise—food and entertainment—by providing partnership advisory for attracting entertainment facilities to large-scale mixed-use complexes developed by major developers in Tokyo, as well as supporting franchise development for leading food service companies.
Expanding the Potential of “Food × Ambience”: Supporting the Growth of Catering Services for Construction Sites and Dormitories
Hands-On Direct Operational Investment
Consulting
A Company Dedicated to Creating Refreshing Spaces
Field Service Co., Ltd.
Project OverviewProvider specializing in bento sales at construction sites and employee dormitories and corporate cafeteria management. Centered on partnerships with general contractors and real estate developers, the business concept focuses on creating “refreshing spaces” at work sites.
To enhance our competitive edge, we support partial in-house production of bento meals and the development of diverse menu options. Additionally, through collaboration in the environmental sector, we contribute to the evolution of sustainable catering by promoting peer-to-peer trading of energy-efficient vegetables and initiatives to reduce food waste.
Co-creating a Sustainable Future through Urban Development and Capital Partnerships
Consulting
A Leading Company in Urban Redevelopment
UB Group Mongolia Real Estate Development Project
Project OverviewAmidst the rapid urban growth of Ulaanbaatar, the capital city, demand for high-quality office and residential spaces is expanding. We are collaborating with UB Group, a leading Mongolian developer, to advance multiple real estate development projects.
Our local partner boasts nearly 20 years of diverse industry experience and stands as a key player in urban redevelopment. Through Japanese capital investment and strategic collaboration in planning and distribution, we are committed to creating sustainable urban environments and strengthening the economic foundation.
Additionally, by integrating energy efficiency, livability, and enhanced urban functionality into mixed-use developments, we are establishing a long-term investment model that contributes to addressing local social challenges.
A space where food and culture intersect, bringing attractive local contents to the world
Hands-on Direct Operational Investment
Asia’s First Hub for Culinary and Cultural Innovation
Time Out Market Osaka
Project OverviewTime Out Market Osaka, the first Time Out Market venue in Asia, has opened in the South Building of Grand Front Osaka, a redevelopment area in front of JR Osaka Station. Spanning over 3,000 square meters, it brings together 17 kitchens and two bars, offering a vibrant new hub where visitors can enjoy diverse culinary experiences crafted by renowned Kansai chefs alongside live entertainment.
Our company has launched “Koala Shokudo” in the venue, featuring a selection of local Osaka specialties, such as okonomiyaki and teppanyaki made with Kurobuta pork, Wagyu beef tendon, and an abundance of fresh vegetables, as well as yakisoba and takoyaki.
Time Out Market, a leading global gourmet destination, has been showcasing local culture in top culinary cities, latest across 10 cities worldwide, since its debut in Lisbon in 2014. This project marks its first entry into the Japanese market, with our company investing in this innovative platform. By redefining local attractive food contents through a contemporary lens, we aim to create new touchpoints with emerging customer segments.
Unlocking the Potential of Long-Term Assets through Global Financial Collaboration
Strategic Investment
Aviation Finance × International Joint Venture Model
JIA Aviation Finance LLC
Project OverviewOcto Force Group, JIA Group, a publicly listed company on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, and U.S.-based Taiyoushin Aviation Finance, has established a tri-party joint venture, JIA Aviation Finance LLC (JAF), specializing in aircraft operating leases. By actively participating in both investment and management across the entire leasing framework—from aircraft acquisition and leasing to resale—we are contributing to the advancement of Japan’s aviation finance market.
Leveraging our expertise in aircraft asset finance, we provide support in structuring arrangements incorporating silent partnerships and non-recourse loans, as well as designing investment products for investors. We are also involved in expanding future capital contributions and developing exit strategies within the market.
In anticipation of the post-COVID recovery in air travel demand, establishing a swift and stable funding framework has become an urgent priority. Together with domestic and international financial partners, we have developed an integrated model that seamlessly manages asset procurement, fund formation, and investor sales. This approach supports agile investment responses in the aviation leasing sector, which handles long-term assets.
Support for Public Listing in Regenerative Medicine.
Strategic Investment with Social Impact and Innovation
Strategic Investment
A Medical Venture Pioneering the Future of Regenerative Medicine
PharmaBio Corporation
Project OverviewWe have made a strategic investment through a third-party allotment of shares in PharmaBio Corporation, a medical venture company specializing in drug discovery and sales in the globally recognized field of regenerative medicine.
The company traces its roots to the regenerative medicine team at Kyoto University, renowned for its Nobel Prize-winning research, and is dedicated to developing treatments for diseases that account for approximately 30% of global blindness. With its own manufacturing facility located within the Haneda National Strategic Special Zone, PharmaBio has already established a mass production system for cell sheets. Through partnerships with major corporations, the company is building a solid foundation for business expansion.
The interim review was completed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, and based on subsequent progress in clinical trials, an IPO schedule targeting September to December 2025 has been proposed by securities firms and the stock exchange. Preparations for the public listing are now entering a full-scale phase.
Accompanying the Growth of a Spirits Brand with 200 Years of History Expanding Globally
Strategic Investment
A Craft Spirits Brand from Scotland
Eden Mill
Project OverviewOcto Force has made a strategic investment in Eden Mill, a whisky and gin producer based in St Andrews, Scotland, through a third-party allotment of shares. Eden Mill, a historic brand with a distillery located on the University of St Andrews campus, is advancing environmentally conscious facility expansions.
Following the acqusition and investment by a fund, the company has strengthened its management team with executives from global brands and is actively expanding sales of its gin and whisky. Focusing on the UK, US, and Asian markets, Eden Mill is enhancing its branding through partnerships with international sporting events such as tennis, golf, and football, and has expanded its distribution network to over 20 countries worldwide.
Through our investment vehicle, Harvest LLC, we provide growth capital by taking an equity stake. As an collaboration project with Mark Bedingham, former Reginal Managing Director of APAC at Moët Hennessy/LVMH Group, we have delivered strategic cross-border support. By combining the heritage of St Andrews with its appeal to the premium market, we are accompanying its growth that balances short-term returns with long-term brand building.
Seeking Collaborative Partners
Designing and Driving Business Growth Together
At Octo Force Group, we leverage our expertise in investment, operations, and consulting to support capital partnerships, business transfers, management assistance, and consultations for new market expansion.
Please feel free to contact us, if you are a company or business owner, or management etc., engaged in business succession, M&A, corporate management restructuring, or new business development, looking for collaboration or partnerships.
