Takahiro Aoki, who runs the medaka specialty store “Medakaya.com” in Hachioji, Tokyo, suffered from an intractable disease and depression in his 20s. However, Aoki’s life changed for the better when he started breeding killifish by chance. It is said that more than 100 disabled people are now saved by medaka, not just Mr. Aoki. What happened? Written by freelance writer Io Kawauchi.
Mr. Takahiro Aoki who runs “Medakaya.com”.
“New welfare” set by a pioneer in the medaka industry
It was like a fashionable apparel shop. Large and small water tanks that line up along the walls of the spacious floor are lit up in a bluish white. Two women are watching with interest as they receive explanations from the clerk.
Hoodies, T-shirts, and pants are hung on the hangers in the center of the floor. This limited-edition item has a medaka print on the sleeves in collaboration with the sportswear brand Descente.
This is the main branch of “Medakaya.com” on the 5th floor of the station building “Opa” at Hachioji Station. What the female customers were looking at was a bonsai called “Medaka Bonsai,” which was expressed using aquatic plants, trees, and stones in a tank. Thanks to a patent that purifies water with bacteria, you can not only enjoy bonsai of aquatic plants without changing the water, but you can also keep them as they are by pouring water and adding killifish.
“Medakaya.com” head office in Hachioji, Tokyo.
Takahiro Aoki, the founder of “Medakaya.com”, which operates the store, invented this “Medaka Bonsai”. In the past year or two, it is said that there has been a nationwide medaka boom. In 2004, Mr. Aoki launched a website specializing in medaka information, “Medakaya.com,” and in 2010, before the boom came, he started medaka. He is a pioneer in the medaka industry and publishes specialized books.
Aoki is now attracting a lot of attention in the welfare industry. He also manages another company, Ayame-kai, which raises about 300 million yen a year from a type B business that supports the continued employment of people with disabilities through the breeding of killifish (details will be described later). The head office of “Medakaya.com” has become a place where users of the establishments who have improved their physical and mental health and are able to work can work as employees.
Why was the unique combination of medaka and welfare born? In the background of this was Mr. Aoki’s heroic battle with the disease.