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.
