Overseas vs Japan — judging 'reverse-imported' Kickstarter hits
Conclusion: an overseas hit isn't automatically safe in Japan — check certification, warranty, support.
Gadget & tech
GREEN FUNDING, the quality lane — 85% success, ¥5.14M average
Conclusion: a curated, TSUTAYA-backed platform — fewer, larger, high-success projects.
How to spot a hot campaign — first-day speed, prototypes, momentum
Conclusion: opening speed, a working prototype, and update cadence are the real signals.
What blew up on Makuake in 2025 — AI gadgets, a whisky, a heritage inn
Conclusion: AI products grew 3.5× YoY; the top gadget, AINOTE 2, raised ~¥469M.
AI earbuds that interpret 40 languages in real time
Conclusion: 520% funded on inbound demand — a poster child for the AI-gadget wave.
An e-ink smartwatch that runs two weeks on a charge
An overseas hit lands in Japan — 340% funded.
CAMPFIRE vs Makuake: fees, review, and fit
Conclusion: products → Makuake, community → CAMPFIRE.
The Smart Mug that holds its heat
Conclusion: a hit gadget at 280% funded — closing soon.