Kurofune

About Kurofune

Kurofune Inc., established in February 2018 by Ryo Kurakata, is a firm addressing the challenges faced by the growing population of foreign workers in Japan. The company's inception was driven by Kurakata's personal experiences while traveling abroad. A graduate of Tohoku University's Faculty of Economics and a former employee at a foreign-affiliated manufacturer, Kurakata discovered that many people in other countries were hesitant to work in Japan, which motivated him to improve their experience.

Operating at the intersection of HR technology and social support, Kurofune serves both foreign residents and their employers. The company's primary product is the "KUROFUNE LIFE SUPPORT" application, conceived as a 'super app' to centralize essential services for foreigners. This platform offers a range of features developed based on the real-life experiences of the company's diverse team. Key services include a 24-hour multilingual chatbot for general life consultations, an online pharmacy service that allows users to order medicine without needing to speak Japanese, and assistance with administrative tasks like opening bank accounts. The business model is twofold: providing these direct-to-consumer services while also offering a 'Report Service' for corporations. This B2B service helps companies manage their foreign workforce more efficiently, offering features like visa renewal alerts and a dashboard to track and understand employee needs, which can lead to significant cost reductions for the hiring company.

Financially, the company has attracted investment from venture capital firms such as MTG Ventures and OKB Capital. Kurofune has also been recognized in numerous accelerator programs and competitions, receiving awards like the J Startup CENTRAL selection and the NEXs Tokyo award, underscoring its position in the market for supporting Japan's international workforce.