About the editorial desk
KAKEHASHI Editorial
How KAKEHASHI works
- Independent: we host no campaigns and take no fees.
- Sourced: figures and records come from primary sources, always cited.
- Cross-platform: we compare across CAMPFIRE, Makuake, READYFOR and more.
- Our role: you can't pledge here — we point you to the official platform.
So you can check a campaign here before you back it. Check a campaign → · Learn crowdfunding →
From the desk
2026 Kumamoto Earthquake — CAMPFIRE official emergency relief fund
Conclusion: CAMPFIRE's own official relief fund — ¥10,950,113 from 2,056 backers (1,095%), open until Sep 25, 2026 (as of Aug 31, 2026).
Makuake at 12 — ¥110B funded, 10M backings, 60 projects over ¥100M
Conclusion: 10M backings, ¥110B+ cumulative, 60 projects over ¥100M — the home of product crowdfunding (2025).
Japan's crowdfunding in early 2026 — money pours into AI devices
Conclusion: in Jan–May 2026 the top five all cleared ¥100M (AI/premium gadgets). Makuake leads by amount, CAMPFIRE by count.
CAMPFIRE's data breach (up to 225k) — what backers should do now
Conclusion: up to 225,846 records possibly exposed — no card data, no confirmed exfiltration. Here's the backer takeaway (2026).
Tenniix AI tennis machine — ¥187M, a Makuake sports landmark (2026, funded)
Conclusion: a solo-practice AI tennis robot at ~¥187.1M — 5th by amount in Jan–May 2026 (funded).
Summer 2026's hit — the “SPEEDER” cooling fan seat, 3,821% funded and live
Conclusion: a car cooling fan seat at 38× goal — ¥10M+ from 1,600+ backers on Makuake, closing now (Jun 2026).
Backing an AI gadget — how to read AI glasses and AI-companion campaigns
Conclusion: AI gadgets lead with experiential allure — always verify certification, server continuity, fees and how finished the unit is.
READYFOR, the cause lane — Japan's first platform, ¥50B funded, home of donation crowdfunding
Conclusion: Japan's first platform (2011), strong on social and donation, ¥50B cumulative — home of the ¥916M museum drive.
CODE27 on Makuake: ¥215.5M raised, ended — what to check
CODE27 closed on Makuake at about ¥215.5M against a ¥300,000 goal (Feb 13 – May 30, 2026). Funded is not delivered: check server continuity, languages and warranty.
Rokid Smart AI Glasses — Makuake's all-time No.1 (¥636M)
Conclusion: a ¥500k goal → ¥636.7M from 7,413 backers — Makuake's all-time No.1 (2026, funded).
A billion yen — the new record, and the '0% fee' alternative
Conclusion: reward crowdfunding passed ¥1B (UGREEN); meanwhile 0%-fee For Good answers differently — funds reach the runner in full.
Backing film & creative campaigns — reading MOTION GALLERY before you pledge
Conclusion: film and art back the *experience* of a work being finished and shown — you support a creation, not a product.
ASIA BOOK MARKET — Asia's books and expression, an Osaka festival
Conclusion: an Osaka book-and-culture festival of indie publishers — ran on All-in at ~69% (2025, ended).
Okajii — a documentary on a 99-year-old working actor
Conclusion: a film on a 99-year-old actor — ~125% funded on film-friendly MOTION GALLERY (2025).
GUILTY GEAR -STRIVE- The Board Game (Japanese edition) — ~12× its goal
Conclusion: the hit fighting game as a board game — a ¥1M goal → ~¥11.58M (~1,158% funded, 2024).
UGREEN NASync DXP — Japan's first reward campaign past ¥1 billion
Conclusion: a ¥1M goal → ~¥1.02B from 16,849 backers — Japan's first reward campaign over ¥1B (2025, funded).
A safe gym for the kids — non-slip floor & heat relief (0%-fee For Good)
Conclusion: making a school gym safer — closed at 121% on the 0%-fee For Good (funded, Jun 30 2026).
Backing food & local-rescue campaigns — old shops, producers, disaster areas
Conclusion: empathise with the story, but check delivery, storage and deductions — rules differ by reward vs donation vs GCF.
Backing music & events — how to read album, festival and live campaigns
Conclusion: you're backing an *experience*, not a product — read the funding model and whether the event will actually happen.
kibidango, the 80%-success lane — the curated home of ViXion01 and DWARF3
Conclusion: a curated, low-fee platform citing ~80% success — strong on imports, with ¥400M+ hits.
