In 1920, on a street corner in London, Niichi Matoba encountered an lighter that grew hot simply by opening its lid. He was driven by pure curiosity. "Why does it get so hot without any flame or electricity?" The three years spent seeking an answer marked the beginning of a 100-year history of "warmth" and "trust" under the name "Hakkin Kairo." This is more than the story of an invention; it is the story of a company that has continued to walk alongside changing times and society.

After returning to Japan, Niichi Matoba secluded himself in a small shed, devoting himself day and night to research and development. His wife watched over him as days of trial and error continued. Then, in the winter of 1923 (Taisho 12), on a cold evening, the prototype was finally complete. The wife, overjoyed by the warmth of the hand warmer her husband rushed out to give her, embraced him. There, on a roadside with snow beginning to flutter in the twilight, they shared their joy.

This profoundly personal and human moment is the very origin of Hakkin Kairo. Our product-making has been continuously imbued, since the founding, with this pure passion of "wanting to warm a loved one" and the "empathy" shared between those who gave it form. The company was founded as "Yamato Shokai," and eventually, this warmth took such root among people that the product's name itself became the company name: "Hakkin Kairo Co., Ltd."

A little over 20 years after its founding, Japan entered the severe period of wartime. Hakkin Kairo answered the nation's call, serving as comfort items for soldiers fighting in frigid lands and as large hand warmers that solved the technical challenge of "frozen engines" in tanks and airplanes. The reliability of our products was further tempered under the heavy responsibility of supporting "human lives" and "national missions."

However, in 1945, the Osaka air raids completely destroyed the company headquarters. Amid this desperate situation, the employees rallied with the unifying spirit of "Do not let Hakkin's light go out," striving for recovery from the surviving factory. This "power to turn adversity into a springboard" and the sense of mission to "be useful to society" became the foundation for post-war growth.

1. The World's Most Grueling Field Test: The Antarctic Research Expedition (1966–)
In 1966, Hakkin Kairo was selected as an official supply item for the 8th Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition. The performance of "operating reliably even at -40°C" was not just laboratory data but was "proven" by the most severe natural environment on Earth. This is absolute proof of quality that no other company can replicate.

2. The Most Honorable Companion: Olympic Flame Transport (1964, 1985, 1998)
For the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, Hakkin Kairo was first entrusted with the crucial role of safeguarding the flame's "source fire" inside the aircraft. Later, during the 1985 Summer Universiade and especially the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics, it served as the lead role in transporting the sacred flame from Greece to Nagano. These were monumental achievements that would have been impossible without the absolute trust of the International Olympic Committee in our "safety" and "reliability."

3. Value Recognized by the World: The PEACOCK Brand
In overseas expansion, particularly in Europe, the brand was beloved under the name "PEACOCK." Especially in environmentally conscious markets, its eco-friendly values of "not disposable" and "creating no waste" perfectly aligned with the lifestyle of "using good things with care for a long time." Japanese craftsmanship earned recognition under the world's discerning gaze.

"The form remains unchanged, while the inside evolves." This is our design philosophy. While maintaining the basic form of the exterior, the internal catalytic technology continues to innovate. Remarkably, compatibility is maintained between the burners (catalysts) of products made 30-40 years ago and those of today.

This is possible because we treat the "Permanent Warranty" not as a mere sales slogan but as a corporate commitment. The fact that a hand warmer bought in a grandfather's time can still be repaired today represents not just technical compatibility but a culture where the company and its users share the responsibility of "treasuring and continuing to use things."

There are even cases where the repair cost exceeds the price of a new unit. Nevertheless, we clean and repair that one cherished unit and return it to the user. This "thorough care" is a manifestation of the "heart that thinks of others" shown in our founding story and is the source of a deep trust that other companies cannot imitate.

Our 100th anniversary. We regard this not as a "destination" but as a "milestone."

The first challenge is the evolution of the product itself. "Hakkin Kairo is not yet complete." This awareness drives us forward. Our next goal is to realize an even cleaner hand warmer that reduces CO2 emissions to near zero. We aim to take the catalytic technology cultivated over 100 years to the next stage.

The second challenge is contributing to society through catalytic technology itself. With an eye on the coming hydrogen society, anticipated as the next-generation clean energy, we continue to take on the challenge of developing hydrogen production catalysts. Pursuing the potential of catalysts, from daily necessities to cutting-edge technology, is our mission.

Above all, what remains unchanged is the founder's spirit: the "Spirit of Service." "Not to think of profit first, but to contribute to the health and welfare of people around the world." This is our unchanging corporate philosophy.

Our slogan is "Future・Challenge・Hakkin."
Building upon this philosophy and technology, we will continue walking into the future, ensuring the light of warmth and trust never goes out, towards the 150th and 200th anniversaries.

This 100-year story is contained within each and every unit in your hands.
It is not merely a "heating device" but a living testament to history, filled with curiosity, passion, trial, trust, and promises for the future.