MOONRAKERS, a spin-off venture from Toray Industries, Inc., aims to directly connect state-of-the-art technology with everyday life by creating the "fabrics of the future" that blend comfort, convenience, and beauty.

Last year, we covered MOONRAKERS' innovative "MOON-TECH® T-shirt," a product defined by its "exceptional functionality." It features 12 advanced functions, spearheaded by space technology jointly developed by Toray and JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency).

This time, MOONRAKERS has introduced an even more advanced model: "MOON-TECH® nature." We spoke with Makoto Nishida, President and CEO of MOONRAKERS TECHNOLOGIES, about the updates made to the latest product.

PROFILE

Makoto Nishida

President & CEO of Toray spin-off venture, MOONRAKERS TECHNOLOGIES

After joining Toray, Nishida engaged in material development and, in his 20s, took on a new business challenge with the then-cutting-edge fleece material. He achieved a major milestone by clinching a huge contract with UNIQLO through a bold sales approach. For his second new business, he planned an ODM apparel project using advanced materials, growing it into a 5-billion yen business within seven years. For his third new venture, he pioneered an unprecedented D2C model at Toray, launching the "MOONRAKERS" project based on advanced materials and successfully establishing the business. In 2023, he spun off the venture to pursue further growth by starting an independent company.

A Completely New T-shirt Inspired by Customer Voices

What led to the launch of the new "MOON-TECH® nature"?

Thanks to everyone, the "MOON-TECH®" series became an unexpected hit for us. However, user feedback revealed comments such as, "The fabric sometimes feels too thick during midsummer, so I wish it were thinner and cooler," and "I’d like a T-shirt with a more natural, cotton-like texture that fits seamlessly into everyday life." These requests prompted us to start developing a new fabric.