# 10月21日（水）アンソロピック 株式5%を公益基金へ、牛や豚の内臓から化粧品や薬 - Show: ヤング日経（サクッとわかるビジネスニュース） - Published: 2026-10-20 - Canonical: https://podc.club/en/episode/1542073848_13fa39cc7dbb.html - Audio: https://traffic.megaphone.fm/NRBC1155930921.mp3 - Source: Edited from a machine transcript of the first 30 minutes of the episode. Not an official summary. AI startup Anthropic announced it will contribute 5% of its equity to a new public benefit fund to support workers displaced by AI and fund nonprofit donations. Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries unveiled plans to subsidize pilot projects that repurpose cattle and pig organs and blood — previously discarded — into cosmetics and pharmaceuticals starting in fiscal 2027. On the entertainment front, Yamaha pivoted from pure technology development to creator support, raising over ¥100 million through a Vocaloid crowdfunding campaign. ## What this episode answers ### What is the purpose of the public benefit fund Anthropic is establishing? On October 18, Anthropic announced it would contribute 5% of its equity to a newly established fund, dedicating it to public benefit activities including financial support for workers displaced by AI and donations to nonprofit organizations. ### What is the Ministry of Agriculture's aim in supporting the use of cattle and pig organs and blood? The primary aim is to improve the profitability of meat processing and packing companies. Starting in fiscal 2027, the ministry will launch a pilot program providing subsidies to develop new products — targeting cosmetics and pharmaceuticals — from organs and blood previously disposed of as waste. ### What is the background behind companies expanding corporate housing, and what is the current situation? Rising rents, particularly in central Tokyo, are the main driver. Relog Group (リログループ), a leading corporate housing manager, has seen units under management grow 25% over three years, as companies expand housing benefits to recruit and retain younger employees. ### Why are major convenience store chains expanding claw machine installations? The strategy is to attract new customers with claw machines on top of the existing base of shoppers buying food and daily necessities, while also encouraging impulse purchases. Lawson surpassed 1,500 locations as of the end of August, and FamilyMart added approximately 240 stores in roughly six months. ### What new initiative has Yamaha launched in the Vocaloid market? Yamaha partnered with crowdfunding platform Campfire (キャンプファイヤー) to launch 'Vocaloid Funding' in December 2025, confirming the Vocaloid debuts of seven VTubers and virtual characters; the campaign raised over ¥100 million, with one character exceeding nine times its funding target. ## Article ## Anthropic Contributes 5% of Equity to Public Benefit Fund — for AI-Displaced Workers and NPO Donations On October 18, U.S. AI developer Anthropic announced it would contribute 5% of its equity to a newly established fund. The fund will be dedicated to public benefit activities: providing financial support to workers who have lost their jobs as a result of AI's spread, and making donations to nonprofit organizations. As generative AI proliferates rapidly and its impact on employment becomes increasingly concrete, the move marks the developer itself stepping up with a direct social-responsibility response. ## Ministry of Agriculture to Support Pilot Using Cattle and Pig Organs in Cosmetics and Pharmaceuticals — Starting Fiscal 2027 Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries announced plans to support the development of new products made from cattle and pig organs and blood that are not fit for human consumption, beginning in fiscal 2027. With cosmetics and pharmaceutical applications in mind, the ministry will provide subsidies for pilot projects. The primary goal is to improve the profitability of meat processing and packing companies by creating new economic value from parts that previously generated disposal costs. ## Corporate Housing Back in the Spotlight as Tokyo Rents Surge — Relog Group Up 25% in Three Years With rents rising sharply, especially in central Tokyo, companies are moving quickly to expand single-occupancy corporate housing and dormitories. The number of units managed by Relog Group (リログループ), a leading corporate housing manager, increased 25% over three years. By enriching housing-related benefits, companies aim to recruit and retain younger employees — and corporate housing programs are once again drawing attention as a key tool in the competition for talent. ## eBay Japan Opens Permanent Sample-Only Store in Shibuya — Three Locations Planned by 2027 eBay Japan opened its first permanent store in Shibuya, Tokyo, stocking only product samples. The store serves as a venue for customers to try cosmetics, supplements, and other products through sample distribution — no in-store sales are made. Visitors who agree to post a review receive up to seven items, including cosmetics. A second location in Harajuku, Tokyo, is already planned, and the company aims to expand to three permanent stores by 2027 as it works to strengthen direct customer relationships through physical retail. ## Convenience Stores Accelerate Claw Machine Rollouts — Lawson Tops 1,500, FamilyMart Adds 240 Major Japanese convenience store chains are rapidly expanding the number of stores equipped with claw machines. Lawson surpassed 1,500 locations as of the end of August 2024, while FamilyMart added approximately 240 stores in roughly six months. The approach is designed to attract new customers beyond the existing base of shoppers coming in for food and daily goods, while also encouraging impulse purchases — broadening the reasons people visit convenience stores in the first place. ## Business Term of the Week: Real Estate Registry (不動産登記簿) This week's "10-second business term" segment featured the real estate registry (不動産登記簿) — a public record that lists details such as the location and area of land and buildings and the name and address of the owner. The institution dates back to the Meiji era. Because anyone can inspect the registry, its openness plays a vital role in supporting safe and smooth real estate transactions. ## Entertainment Watcher: Yamaha Reinvents Itself as Champion of the Vocaloid Scene Yamaha (ヤマハ), the developer of Vocaloid (ボーカロイド) technology, is shifting from its traditional behind-the-scenes role of improving the technology to actively discovering and nurturing creators. Employees with deep roots in Vocaloid culture are leading the effort, building a framework to train composers and provide financial support for Vocaloid singers. In December 2025, Yamaha launched "Vocaloid Funding" in partnership with crowdfunding service Campfire (キャンプファイヤー), and the Vocaloid debuts of seven VTubers and virtual characters have been confirmed. The campaign has raised over ¥100 million, with one character exceeding nine times its funding target. Backers receive merchandise and event tickets scaled to their contribution level. ## Takeaways - Anthropic announced it will contribute 5% of its equity to a public benefit fund for AI-displaced workers and nonprofit donations — a rare case of an AI developer directly addressing the employment consequences of its own technology. - Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries will back pilot projects from fiscal 2027 to repurpose discarded cattle and pig organs and blood into cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, aiming to boost profitability across the meat processing industry. - Yamaha raised over ¥100 million through a Vocaloid crowdfunding campaign, marking a strategic shift from pure technology development to direct engagement with fans and creators.