The invention started in 1995, when the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake struck the Kansai region. After this terrible disaster, the tap water supply completely stopped. Local people waited in long lines every day for clean water to arrive. During this time, Dr. Oda often visited a pond near his home. He said to himself, "If I could clean the water in this big pond, that would make everyone so happy.” He thought and thought about a good solution. One day, looking at the pond, he did hit upon a simple but wonderful idea. Six years later, he finally completed powdered natto that could stick to dirt and make it sink. He immediately founded a new company to sell his powder. Contrary to his high expectations, it was not a hit in Japan.