He has recruited "silk grandmas", skilled weavers who survived the war in Phnom Penh.
In 2002, he moved the project from the capital to Siem Reap, thereafter, the institute focused on improving quality and training the next generation of workers.
Kikuo won a Rolex Enterprise Laureate Award in 2004, and the $100,000 prize money was spent on land and construction to achieve the final goal of the silk village. He has spent all his savings for his dream project. He exhibits Cambodian silk in Japan once a year to attract financial aid.
His Rolex Award has opened up the market for natural silk from Cambodia, and 80 percent of his customers today are Japanese.
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