Sixty years ago, few could have imagined that a real estate pioneer in Hong Kong and Japan’s most trusted dry cleaning company would form a partnership—Clean Living—that still thrives today. Hang Lung and Hakuyosha have built more than just a successful business—they’ve created a lasting legacy of improving people’s lives. As this partnership celebrates its 60^th anniversary, we sat down with Mr. Eiichi Igarashi, President of Hakuyosha Company Limited, who reflected on how two seemingly different businesses became trusted partners, the lessons learned along the way, and the bright future that lies ahead.

United by Values, Driven to Serve

Hang Lung and Hakuyosha have long shared a commitment to creating clean and comfortable living spaces, delivering the highest standards of service, and embracing sustainability at every step. However, their partnership began with something much more personal—a shared religious faith. When Clean Living was founded in 1965 through the meeting of Mr. Chan Tseng-hsi, founder of Hang Lung Group, and Mr. Kenji Igarashi, founder of Hakuyosha in Japan, the two leaders shared a deep devotion to missionary work. Mr. Eiichi Igarashi, the great great-grandson of Mr. Kenji Igarashi, observed that “These two founders established Clean Living not for their business gain, but out of a spirit of service—to contribute to Hong Kong and to help its people live clean and comfortable lives.”

As the partnership grew, both Hang Lung and Hakuyosha believed that business isn’t only about profit but about improving people’s lives and putting customers at the heart of every decision. “To truly serve the customer, we must first understand them,” Mr. Eiichi Igarashi pointed out when contemplating what Hakuyosha is now—Japan’s largest publicly listed company operating in cleaning, linen supply, and uniform rental.

“As we proudly approach our 120^th anniversary next year, the foundational spirit of wholehearted service that has been passed down for more than a century remains the foundation of the Hakuyosha brand today. This requires a thorough customer-oriented approach, including listening carefully to their needs and always placing oneself in their position. In a long-standing business, internal norms may diverge from current societal expectations, leading to services that no longer meet customer needs. To prevent this, we strive to understand today’s customers by actively hearing their true desires and implementing organizational reforms to deliver services that customers truly seek.”

Taking the Lead: Challenges, Growth, and Hong Kong

When Mr. Eiichi Igarashi joined Hakuyosha amidst the pandemic, he understood the weight of responsibility he was undertaking. “The impact of COVID-19 led to consecutive financial losses in 2020 and 2021, bringing the company to the brink of survival,” he admitted. “Through structural reforms, we not only overcame the crisis but also achieved record-high profits. The reforms would not have been possible without the cooperation of our employees and stakeholders. I feel grateful and wish to return these gains to them.”

Since taking the helm during a pivotal time, Mr. Eiichi Igarashi has also focused on strengthening Hakuyosha’s partnership with Hang Lung. To him, Hong Kong is the perfect place to push boundaries and inspire innovation. “I see Hong Kong as a vibrant city where Eastern and Western cultures intertwine, attracting people from all walks of life,” he said. “Its greatest charm lies in this cultural diversity and strength. Through conversations with employees at Clean Living, I have come to respect the sincere and dedicated approach of Hong Kong’s people toward their work and responsibilities.”

Empowering Customers, Embracing Responsibility

Since the first Clean Living outlet opened on Boundary Street in Kowloon, Hang Lung and Hakuyosha’s commitments to exceeding customer expectations have helped shape Clean Living into a household name in the city. Clean Living now has 19 outlets with a diverse range of services in addition to dry and wet cleaning, including storage, finishing, and stain removal. In Japan, Hakuyosha has continued to develop advanced cleaning methods, solvents, and special treatments—such as water-repellent coatings—in response to evolving times. They’ve also expanded their services to include house cleaning, second-hand clothing purchases, and locker-based pickup and delivery, bringing even more convenience to customers.

Another area in which Hang Lung and Hakuyosha are aligned is their steadfast belief that success and sustainability go hand in hand. Hang Lung is making significant strides toward net zero by 2050, while Hakuyosha has identified eight material themes under their ESG framework. “Specifically, under the theme of ‘Challenge toward Carbon Neutrality’, we aim to reduce GHG emissions by 50% by 2030 compared to 2015 levels,” said Mr. Eiichi Igarashi. “To contribute to a circular economy, we promote initiatives such as hanger collection, reuse and recycling of discarded linens and uniforms, and second-hand clothing buyback programs.”

Looking to the Future

Today, Hakuyosha continues to strengthen its partnership with Hang Lung while building on its proud legacy in Japan. “Hakuyosha’s founding and core spirit will remain at the heart of our operations,” explained Mr. Eiichi Igarashi. “We aim to enhance our services, give back to stakeholders, and achieve sustainable growth. We will continue strengthening corporate governance, investing in human capital, and improving productivity through operational efficiency. In the cleaning business, we will further enhance high-quality cleaning services tailored to customer needs and collaborate with suppliers to develop new technologies.”

Built on decades of trust between Hang Lung and Hakuyosha, and a commitment to always putting the customer first, Clean Living remains dedicated to creating clean and comfortable living spaces, and making a meaningful difference in people’s lives.