Dentsu Inc. and Yahoo! Auctions Launch "reU funding" ― First initiative: Hotel Okura Tokyo auctions furniture to support children's music activities ―

Dentsu Inc., in collaboration with Yahoo! JAPAN's "Yahoo! Auctions!", Japan's largest internet auction site, will launch "reU funding" ( http://reu.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/ ), a new crowdfunding service supporting people's dreams and futures through reuse, starting November 4, 2015.
"reU funding" is a service where supporters of a project can contribute funds to the project they endorse. This is achieved by selling unused items via "Yahoo! Auctions!"*1 or purchasing items cherished by the project executor. By contributing to the realization of a circular society through reuse while supporting the dreams and futures of project executors, it represents a new social initiative based on the "triple win" principle, differing from conventional crowdfunding.

The first project on "reU funding" will be led by Hotel Okura Tokyo, whose main building closed at the end of August 2015 for reconstruction. Aiming to share memories with customers who have cherished Hotel Okura Tokyo and to support "El Sistema Japan," an organization providing orchestral education to children in difficult circumstances, over 300 items will be offered for sale. These include furniture such as table sets and sofas previously used in the former main building's guest rooms and restaurants.

Starting November 4th, when the service launches, users will be able to support the project. Following this first installment, plans for projects with other corporations and organizations will continue to be developed.

Within this service, Yahoo! JAPAN's "Yahoo! Auctions," which actively promotes reuse by creating an online "secondhand market," handles planning, operation, and platform provision. Dentsu Inc.'s internal organization "Dentsu Social Design Engine," which engages in social projects both domestically and internationally, provides planning support, copywriting, and design supervision.

Through this initiative, individuals, companies, and organizations will collaborate to create new opportunities for a society where goods and resources circulate, aiming to realize a world where reuse is the norm.

<Overview of the First Project>

・Project Name: Hotel Okura Tokyo Charity Project for Music

・Organizer: Hotel Okura Tokyo Co., Ltd.

・Period: Wednesday, November 4, 2015 – Sunday, December 20, 2015

・Beneficiary: El Sistema Japan General Incorporated Association (URL: http://www.elsistemajapan.org/ )

・Items Offered: <Restaurant> Orchid Room Guest Chairs

　　　　　<Guest Rooms> Royal Suite Dining Table/Chair Set, Residential Suite Sofa Set, Imperial Suite Sideboard Marble Top, etc.

　　　　　　　　　Sofa Set, Imperial Suite Sideboard with Marble Top, and others

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■Reu Funding Logo

※1 The sale of unwanted items is handled exclusively through purchase, with the cooperation of Market Enterprise Co., Ltd., which operates the "ReRe" buyback service. In the future, support through sales on "Yahoo! Auctions" is also planned in addition to purchases.

　　※2 Currently, only corporations and organizations can execute the project.

Dentsu Inc. News Releasehttp://www.dentsu.co.jp/news/release/2015/1027-008427.html