When the Japanese economic bubble burst in the mid-90s, however, Kohno's fan club was unable to raise financial support from industry, so they approached the explorer's home prefecture-Ehime in Shikoku. Making their pitch on the basis of hometown sentiment, they were able to raise ￥ 90 million by having the local media encourage residents to make donations and by putting donation boxes in 7-11 stores throughout the prefecture.
甚至當九○年代中期日本泡沫經濟破滅之際，河野後援會募不到企業贊助，遂找上探險家故鄉──四國愛媛縣，以家鄉情感為訴求，透過當地媒體發動縣民捐款，在全縣 7-11 放置捐款箱，竟然募得九千萬日幣。