【Reaching Out to 800 People with Disabilities, Transforming the Future of Clothing Choices Through Services】An In-Depth Look at Kiyasuku Inc. with CEO Maeda!

Are there people who prioritize comfort over appearance and design when choosing fashion due to disabilities or illnesses?

"Everyone should be able to enjoy fashion as a matter of course."

There is a company that responds to such desires.

This time, we interviewed Mr. Maeda, the representative of Kiyasuku Co., Ltd.

After conducting a survey of 800 people with disabilities and learning about the lack of clothing options, they launched the clothing alteration service "Kiyasuku."

We will also delve into Mr. Maeda's roots, who is tackling clothing accessibility head-on, and the future he aims to create through his business.

* Co-Wardrobe Co., Ltd. changed its name to Kiyasuku Co., Ltd. on December 26, 2025. This article was partially updated on May 25, 2026.

1.What is Kiyasuku Co., Ltd.?

Kiyasuku Co., Ltd. (formerly Co-Wardrobe Co., Ltd.) was founded in 2021 with the mission of "contributing to the creation of a universal society by solving the problems of people with disabilities and illnesses" and is developing the clothing alteration service "Kiyasuku."

The term "wardrobe" refers to the clothes in a closet. The company was named Co-Wardrobe with the desire to create a society where everyone has the same types of clothing.

The logo also features a closet filled with various fashions, embodying Mr. Maeda's strong desire to achieve fashion accessibility.

1-1. A society with options that Kiyasuku Co., Ltd. aims for

[Interviewer (Writer): Akaishi / Interviewee: Mr. Maeda]

Akaishi: What exactly is a society with options?

Mr. Maeda: There are three main aspects. First, we aim to create a society where everyone has the exact same number of clothing options regardless of disabilities or illnesses.

Second, while solving the problems of people with disabilities, we want to create products and services that are useful for everyone.

We want to contribute to society so that people with disabilities or illnesses can always feel that their challenges are improving society and are beneficial.

Lastly, when such a society is realized, it will be one where able-bodied people naturally pay attention to and show interest in people with disabilities. We aim to create a society overflowing with such compassion and kindness.

1-2. What is the online service "Kiyasuku" for clothing alterations for people with physical disabilities?

Akaishi: What kind of service is Kiyasuku?

Mr. Maeda: Kiyasuku is a service that alters ready-made clothing to fit the customer's body.

We perform alterations such as making garments open at the front, changing buttons to Velcro, or altering pants materials to prevent bedsores, based on each individual's requests.

We also focus on making alterations discreet so that the original design of the clothing can be maintained.

Akaishi: How can someone request an alteration?

Mr. Maeda: Everything is completed online.

By proceeding to the order page on the Kiyasuku website, selecting the menu and the cast for the alteration, the fee will be confirmed. After that, you send the clothing, and we return the altered clothing within 10 to 14 days.

There is a dedicated chat room on the site where you can directly consult with the cast about the alterations, so you can feel at ease.

We created "Kiyasuku" with the desire for people not to give up on wearing the clothes they want and to enjoy their favorite fashion with peace of mind.

Reference: Kiyasuku HP

2. Who is Mr. Maeda, the representative?

Mr. Maeda, who initially had no interest in fashion.

After graduating from university, he joined a bank but was strongly attracted to the vision of Fast Retailing Co., Ltd. and the ideas of President Yanai, leading him to decide to join the company.

While working at UNIQLO, the industry's largest retailer, he naturally developed an interest in fashion.

He had no prior involvement with people with disabilities and had never considered accessibility, so what led him to start a business?

2-1. Career and Achievements

[Career]
1994 Graduated from Fukuoka Prefectural Chikushigaoka High School
1998 Graduated from Waseda University, School of Political Science and Economics, Department of Economics
1998 Joined Fukuoka Bank, working in sales
2000 Joined Fast Retailing Co., Ltd. (UNIQLO), engaged in store operations, new business development, sales planning, production planning, management planning, and EC operations.
▶︎ From 2018 to 2020, conducted interviews with over 800 people with disabilities or illnesses, learning about various clothing-related challenges and concerns.
▶︎ In September 2020, led the project for the development of front-opening innerwear sold by UNIQLO, particularly proposing the commercialization of "children's bodysuits," which received significant attention on SNS, web news, and TV.
▶︎ Also launched a company-wide project to improve the shopping environment for people with disabilities and the elderly at UNIQLO stores nationwide.
2021 Established Co-Wardrobe Co., Ltd. 2025 Changed company name to Kiyasuku Co., Ltd.

Source: Kiyasuku Co., Ltd.

2-2. A turning point in life after meeting a colleague with a hearing impairment

Akaishi: Why did you become interested in clothing accessibility?

Mr. Maeda: While working at UNIQLO, I had a colleague with a hearing impairment. It was during conversations with him that I first learned about the lack of clothing options for people with disabilities.

This was quite shocking because UNIQLO operates under the concept of "clothing for all people," so realizing that there were people we hadn't reached yet was a big surprise.

For some reason, this issue stuck with me, and when I reached out to disability organizations and listened to people with disabilities, I discovered many challenges.

Akaishi: So that led to starting your own business?

Mr. Maeda: Yes. Through these conversations, I learned that people were choosing clothes based on "ease of wear" rather than design and that they couldn't choose from the many clothes available in the world.

From there, I started thinking about how to provide the same options for everyone.

Even with the same illness, each person's body is different, and what makes clothing easy to wear varies. So, I realized that creating clothing specifically for people with disabilities at UNIQLO might not provide the same options.

I thought that altering ready-made clothes from various brands would bring joy to more people, so I decided to go independent.

I never thought I would start my own business.