Osamu Miyawaki, the founder of the figure manufacturer Kaiyodo, passed away at 9:31 p.m. on February 16 due to natural causes. He was 96. The company announced his passing on February 19.

Kaiyodo issued a press release titled "Obituary: Kaiyodo Founder Osamu Miyawaki", stating:

"Our company founder, Osamu Miyawaki, passed away peacefully at 9:31 p.m. on February 16, 2025, after a period of medical care due to natural causes (age 96). We deeply appreciate the kindness and support he received during his lifetime and respectfully inform you of his passing."
The announcement continued:
"In accordance with the wishes of the deceased and his family, the wake, funeral, and memorial service will be held privately with close relatives only. We sincerely request that no floral tributes, offerings, condolence money, or telegrams be sent."

About Osamu MiAbout

Miyawaki was born on May 20, 1928, in Kochi Prefecture. At 15, he joined the South Manchuria Railway Company and experienced the end of World War II in China. At 18, he returned to Japan and took on various jobs, including serving on a tuna fishing vessel, working as a pole-and-line fisherman in Tosa, and working at an advertising agency. Over the years, he had more than 30 different occupations.

When his eldest son, Shuichi, entered elementary school, Miyawaki sought stable employment but was unable to secure a job. In 1964, he established a small model shop, Kaiyodo, in Moriguchi City, Osaka Prefecture, in a space of just 1.5 tatami mats. With his innovative ideas and entrepreneurial spirit, he sparked trends such as the sailing ship boom and the garage kit movement in Japan, transforming Kaiyodo into a model manufacturer.

In 1999, Kaiyodo collaborated with Furuta Confectionery to release "Choco Egg", which included a "Japanese Animal Collection" figure as a bonus. The product became a massive hit, making both Kaiyodo and the figure sculptors behind its creations widely recognized.

Source : ORICON NEWS