Cool Japan Fund to support textile industry

        The Cool Japan Fund will set up a joint venture with a Japanese apparel maker to promote the products overseas. 

　　The fund was created to promote Japanese cultural products abroad. Officials at the fund say they will invest 7.2 million dollars in the new joint venture, to be established by April. 

　　The fund is joining forces with a Tokyo-based apparel maker that operates a fashion brand called 45R. 

　　The company works with regional textile firms to make and sell blouses and jeans, using techniques like indigo dyeing. 

　　Former US ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy is one of their customers. The company has 16 outlets in the US, France and other countries. 

　　With the investment from the fund, company executives plan to open 7 more stores over the next 3 years in Europe and the US.