First, let’s take a look at a new portable battery product. The “SMARTCOBY Ex06 Wireless2.2 Built-in CORD REEL” features a built-in cord reel, can charge PCs, and includes a cycle count function. It is scheduled to go on sale around September, with a suggested retail price of 11,290 yen. The “SMARTCOBY ULTRA SLIM SS5K” is an ultra-slim model with a stainless steel exterior and semi-solid-state cells; it is scheduled to go on sale around September, with a suggested retail price of 8,980 yen. The “Mate Powerbank005” uses semi-solid-state cells, supports wireless charging, and comes in a wide variety of colors. It is scheduled for release around fall, with a suggested retail price of 4,980 yen.
On the day before the event, a preview session was held, along with a press conference to announce the new products being launched by CIO—which is celebrating its 10th anniversary—and details about the “Domestic Charger Project.”
The “Mate Powerbank 004” is a 5000mAh portable battery that connects directly to a smartphone’s port. It is scheduled to go on sale around August, with a suggested retail price of 3,520 yen. The “SMARTCOBY Ex07 Built-in CORD REEL 100W” is a high-capacity 20,000mAh power bank with a maximum total output of 100W. The cable in its built-in cord reel is approximately 100 cm long. It is scheduled to go on sale around fall, with a projected price of 16,900 yen.
In addition, the “NovaPort DUO 65W2C Built-in Cord Reel for Car” is a charger designed for use in a car’s cigarette lighter socket, featuring a built-in two-port cord reel. It is scheduled to go on sale around September, with a suggested retail price of 7,980 yen. The “CIO FootLight” is designed to be plugged into a bedside or hallway outlet when not in use, but the power bank can be detached for use in emergencies. It is equipped with an SOS light and a buzzer. It is scheduled to go on sale around fall, with a suggested retail price of 7,980 yen.
The “Polaris CUBE TRAVEL Built-in CORD REEL” is a 65W charger designed for international travel, featuring a worldwide-compatible outlet that can convert both input and output. It has USB Type-C and Type-A ports and includes a built-in cord reel. It is scheduled to go on sale around September, with a suggested retail price of 6,980 yen.
The company also announced a variety of new products designed to enhance lifestyles. The “Polaris CUBE DESK 2-in-1 Built-in Cord Reel” is a convenient charging station that can be connected to a power outlet via a cable, allowing it to be placed away from the outlet—such as next to a desk. It can also be used as a wireless charging stand for smartphones and features a built-in cord reel. It is scheduled to go on sale around fall, with a suggested retail price of 19,800 yen.
As a new product line, the company announced the “Polaris WALL” series of user-replaceable wall outlet modules. While replacing wall outlets typically requires a licensed electrician (primarily a Type 2 Electrician), this product allows users to swap out modules—including outlets and USB ports—without a license, provided that a licensed professional has first attached a small “Polaris WALL” component to the cable. This makes it easy to swap out modules—including outlets and USB ports—in the future, such as when USB charging standards change. This product is also scheduled for release around fall.
The Domestic Charger Project is the company’s initiative to manufacture chargers in Japan using Japanese-made parts as much as possible. The first product in this series is the “NovaPort DUOIII 65W2C.” It is scheduled to go on sale around fall, and the suggested retail price is currently being finalized. At the booth, the product is on display both in working condition and disassembled.
“We Hope to Start Manufacturing in Japan Someday”: Why Did the CIO × Ichiken Collaboration Begin?
At the press conference, Shota Nakahashi, CEO and Representative Director of CIO, took the stage to provide a detailed explanation. He began by saying, “CIO is still a young company, having been established just 10 years ago. I started it alone in a shared office building during the early days, and thankfully, we’ve now grown to a team of about 160 people. “We don’t approach product development by focusing on how much revenue we can generate from chargers or batteries, or by aiming to be number one in the industry. Rather, our daily business activities are driven by the desire to provide products that truly excite people from the bottom of their hearts in their everyday lives,” he said, reflecting on the company’s history and explaining its purpose.
In that explanation, regarding power banks, it states: “Power banks tend to swell after about 300 uses. Because they repeatedly cycle between high-power output and charging, their batteries degrade significantly faster than those in smartphones. As part of our efforts to standardize safety standards for long-term use, we want to allow users to see on the display just how much the battery has degraded. We have also implemented standard features that display the number of charge cycles and whether the battery is overheating abnormally.”
“We plan to incorporate this feature into our entire future lineup, and we want to create a world where customers can understand when it’s time to replace their device or when it’s best to stop using it. The products we’re introducing today represent the first step in that initiative,” he said, explaining that the company has launched this initiative to ensure safe, long-term use. In this announcement, two models feature semi-solid-state battery cells.
Following that, Ichiken, a YouTuber involved in the joint development, was invited to participate in a talk show with Mr. Nakahashi regarding the Japanese-made charger project.
“The reality is that products no longer sell just because they’re ‘Made in Japan.’ The reason is that the costs inevitably end up being higher. And as for whether there’s any technological advantage—at present, there’s virtually none.”
Although CIO has been in business for only 10 years, we have been able to reach this point thanks to the support of many customers. In particular, we’ve received a great deal of encouragement from people who say, “We’ll support you because you’re a Japanese company.” We’ve also been told that they hope we’ll eventually start manufacturing in Japan.
“The Domestic Charger Project was something I never even thought of doing in the first place. It was my meeting with Ichiken that provided the major impetus for it,” said Mr. Nakahashi, speaking about the project’s beginnings.
Mr. Ichiken is reportedly involved in the project in a role that supports circuit and thermal design. He says that while previously there were no Japanese-made parts inside the chargers, they have managed to increase that percentage to about 60%.
In addition, messages were shared at the event from KOA, a resistor manufacturer headquartered in Nagano Prefecture, and from Hisao Kanno, President and CEO of Asahi Electronics—a manufacturing company based in Fukushima Prefecture that is participating in this project as the factory where the products will be manufactured.
Finally, Moe Iori—a cosplayer and gravure idol who is a devoted fan of CIO products and has even released a collaboration model with the brand—announced the “CIO POP-UP STORE TOKYO 10th ANNIV.”, an interactive pop-up event running through July 5.
We’ll be giving away commemorative stickers to all attendees, as well as original limited-edition pouches to those who bring their own CIO products. Additionally, customers who make a purchase on the day of the event will receive three gifts for every 6,000 yen spent: a limited-edition item, a drink ticket for the CIO Cafe, and a coin for one play on the capsule toy machine. Please note that only cashless payments are accepted.
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