Japan’s manufacturers ready to seize moment
Japan’s dwindling domestic market – the resultof its rapidly aging and declining population– has compelled Japanese manufacturers tolook overseas for new business opportunities.
Fortunately, Asia’s most advanced economy
is surrounded by some of the fastest growing
regions in the world, particularly Southeast
Asia; while in Europe and the U.S., Japanesemanufactured goods are still reputed for theirhigh quality. The situation bodes well for Japanese manufacturers in the fashion, clothing andtextiles industry, as does the recent depreciationof the yen and the fact that many companies
are now looking to diversify their supply chainsdue to disruptions caused by the COVID-19
pandemic and the U.S.-China decoupling.
“Companies are now looking for a stable supply chain, with Japan now being a viable option
since it already has high-quality products andcan ensure a stable supply,” says Noboru Kajiura,
President of Kaji Tech, a company which supplies
materials for a range of clothing, from sports
apparel to baby clothes. “Before, when products from China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Korea
were compared to Japanese products, Japanwas considered as more expensive. However,the deprecation of the yen and the overall risein the cost of materials has reduced this pricedifference. Now, Japanese products are pricecompetitive in the global market.”Also speaking on the topic, Shinichi Kihara,president of textiles and materials trader MNInter-Fashion, says: “The supply chain model
has collapsed, and we are now in the processof building it back up again. We are in a new
era where we must combine different players
and we believe that our company is in a very
unique position because we oversee material
production for fashion brands.” As a comprehensive engineering supply chain innovator,
the company has a unique position within theindustry, highlights Mr. Kihara. “I think we could
be very useful to more niche companies thathave huge future potential but maybe don’t
understand the supply chain very well or don’t
have enough funds to grow their business.”
Kiichiro Nosawa, president of trading company NOSAWA – which is engaged in the importand export of goods across several industries,
including textiles – is also optimistic about the
recent changes on the global landscape. “Ourproducts are renowned for their durability,
making established brands eager to collaborate with us,” says Mr. Nosawa, who discusses
company plans to boost international growth.
“Three years ago, I laid the foundation forour 50-year vision. By the time we reach thatmilestone, we aim to have one-third of our total
sales generated from overseas markets. To doso, we have taken several steps, including hiring

more personnel in our international offices andengaging in business activities abroad.”
As Japanese textile firms look to meet thedemands of the international market, sustainability has become a key priority in recent years.
“When it comes to environmental efforts andproducing more sustainable products, there aremany challenges when you are working in theapparel industry. This is something that is very
important to focus on today,” says Shinji Nikko,
president of undergarments manufacturer Atsugi.
“Our products do ultimately end up in the garbage.
However, we are actively focusing our efforts oncreating some viable recycling projects. We arealso working to reduce the environmental impactof our product packaging. For stockings, we aredeveloping a new style of paper-based packaging.”
For its part, YAGI TSUSHO, which is engaged
in the high-end fashion industry, helps smaller
companies to meet sustainability criteria. “Manysmall-scale Japanese companies involved infabric production and dying struggle to meet
all international standards required for sustainability,” explains president Yuzo Yagi. “To bridge
this gap, our company has obtained globally
recognized standards, such as the GOTS (Global
Organic Textile Standard) and GRS (Global Recycled Standard), enabling us to offer our services
to these smaller companies and assist them inmeeting international sustainability criteria.”

Quality handkerchiefs for new markets
With a storied history,
Blooming Nakanishi has
been providing Japan’s finest handkerchiefs, with thefirm now looking to bringits quality overseas.

Guest room linen items
Since 1879, Blooming Nakanishi &Company – founded in Nihonbashi,Tokyo – has been a premium dealer
and manufacturer of textiles, including handkerchiefs, hotel supplies
and tablecloths. Its 140 years ofhistory have helped the company
cultivate a deep philosophy andexpertise in fine craftsmanship.
“Inside and outside of Japan overthe many decades that we have beenin operation as a business, various

Handkerchief made of hemp
material“Our approach pivots on comprehending customer
preferences and identifying the threshold of satisfaction,
thereby enabling us to tailor suitable solutions.”
Hajime Nakanishi, President, Blooming Nakanishi Co., Ltd.
techniques including weaving, dye- how built up during these years,
ing, printing and sewing have been today we are able to partner with
developed and mastered,” says Ha- the best factories to meet our clients’jime Nakanishi, President of Bloom- needs, and offer total quality control.”The company’s main producting Nakanishi & Company. “We havebuilt up collaborative relationships line today is handkerchiefs, with
with high-quality factories specialis- its signature product, “CLASing in these areas. With our know- SICS The Small Luxury”, the linethat Blooming Nakanishi is mostwidely known for.
“The appeal of this series andits products lies in its extensive
distribution network, which encompasses department stores and specialty stores all over Japan, as well
as being directly managed stores,”says Mr. Nakanishi. “Going forward,
our success in foreign markets depends on several factors, including
brand integrity. The stories we spin
abroad need to be finely segmented,
and to do that we need a robust
infrastructure. Basically, the stars
must align on all fronts for our efforts to bear fruit in victory.”

www.blooming.co.jp

Love music: Roland setting the foundation for
the next generation of music enthusiasts
Beloved for more than 50 years, Roland Corporation
continues to provide the world with only the best
electronic musical instruments.

BRIDGE CAST Audio Mixer
Roland Corporation has been adriver of innovation for over 50
years as a maker of electronic
musical instruments—a journey
woven into the very fabric ofcontemporary music. The brand’s
products are beloved by renowned
musicians, creators, and amateur
users alike. And today, Roland’smusical instruments and audiovisual equipment can be seen andheard in live venues, event stages,
recording studios, and homes allover the world.
“Roland was founded on the
belief that technology should
enhance the creative process,not hinder it. I believe that we’ve
continued our growth to date because of our passion for innovation, and the way that we develop
technological capabilities thatallow us to overcome new challenges,” says Gordon Raison, CEOof Roland Corporation, which was
founded by Ikutaro Kakehashi in
Osaka, Japan, in 1972.

V-Drums Acoustic DesignPart of Roland’s magic is thatit specializes in both hardware
and software, whilst also developing its own proprietary
technology, says the CEO.

“Developing electronic musical instruments requires a deep
understanding of technology, andwhile we don’t manufacture thechips, the designs are very muchours. When you sit down with
our instruments, you should feel
comfortable and inspired —there
should be a creative symmetry between the person playing and the
instrument. Our goal is to deliver
an experience that’s every bit asenjoyable as playing an acoustic
instrument, for example, drums or
piano, and then go even further.”Roland Cloud
Indeed, digital technologies
have advanced in nearly every
industry and music is no exception. Today, producers can compose and distribute high-quality
music from a computer-based
digital workstation. While foramateur musicians this process
can be somewhat daunting, Roland Cloud—a subscription-based
service including software recreations of the brand’s iconic legacy
instruments—aims to makemusic production moreaccessible thanever before.
“The nextstage for Roland Cloud is toexpand beyond thecore audience. Currently,
around 80% of subscribers areexperienced ‘top tier’ hobbyists
and professionals. We’re looking
to bring the potential of Roland
Cloud to a much wider community—the goal being to remove
the barrier of entry so that more
people can learn instruments
and make music. For example,“I would say that we are a brand thatis truly loved, so people who connect
with our brand have a passion and anaffection for what we make.”
Gordon Raison, CEO, Roland Corporation
our free Zenbeats music-making
software runs on computers,
tablets, and smartphones andlets people produce great musicas easily as possible—wherever
you are in the world.
“We’re also several years into
exploring how AI can support thecreative process,as seen in thei-Arpeggio
technology on our
JUPITER-X
synthesizer, whichuses built-in AI to analyze your keyboard performance. It can sense how hard or
soft you are playing, as well as
your skill level. It then adapts thecomposition to match the way you
play, with very inspiring results.”
In terms of where next forthis enduring brand, Mr Raison is
upbeat, with a recent push into
gaming audio via its BRIDGECAST series, plus a ﬂourishingadjacent category dedicated to
pro-video products.

“We make the tools for the artists and creators. Consequently,

GP-9M Digital Grand Piano
I would say that we’re a brand thatis truly loved, because the people
who connect with us have a passion and an affection for what we
make. It all comes from the love,care, and attention to detail of thepeople who work for the company.
It may sound cliché, but it is true.”

www.roland.com/global

MN Inter-Fashion: Sustainable apparel for
global markets
MN Inter-Fashion is not only a trader of functional textiles, it also has its own manufacturing capabilities as an
OEM and ODM company, with a focus on sustainable materials.

“The cultural significanceand emotional
satisfaction derived
from attire cannot be
understated. These
core tenets consistently
guide us as we addressenvironmental concerns.”
Shinichi Kihara, President,
MN Inter-Fashion
Established through a merger of
Nippon Steel Trading Corporation’s
textile business and Mitsui Bussan
I-Fashion Ltd., MN Inter-Fashionis a company that has taken
strengths from both of its founding
businesses to develop a wide rangeof solutions and products across
manufacturing and retail, including
high-performance garments, homelinens and textiles.

HANAE MORI
“Prior to the merger, Mitsui Bussan I-Fashion occupied a median
position within the textile industry.
Following the merger, MN InterFashion has ascended to the premier
position within Japan, particularlyin the domains of OEM and ODM,”
says Shinichi Kihara, the company
president. “Our significant scale underscores our unparalleled reliability, engendering confidence amongprospective business partners. This
expanded magnitude also affords
us the latitude to assume greaterrisks, enabling enhanced investment
capabilities and exploration of novel
business models.”With the fashion retail and textiles
industries known for having someof the longest supply chains in theworld – for which the industry hascome under increasing scrutiny inrecent years – the company is one
that truly places value on sustainability, explains Mr. Kihara.
“It is crucial to understand thefoundational priorities underpinning
our garment manufacturing processes,” he says. “Foremost among
these is the principle of protection.
Unlike certain fauna, humans possess limited inherent protective capabilities, necessitating the protectiverole of clothing. Furthermore, thecultural significance and emotional
satisfaction derived from attire cannot be understated. These core tenets
consistently guide us as we addressenvironmental concerns. When wedevelop materials, we try to develop
sustainable ones such as recyclable
materials that are derived fromocean waste. We also place a lotof importance on traceability, so wefeel it is important to be able to track

Vietnam factory
what comes from where, and where
it goes. Ultimately, we value monozukuri, therefore we only produce whatis necessary and fits the market.”Tokyo head office
MN Inter-Fashion sits in a strong
position within the sector in thisrespect, as it not only acts as atrader for functional textiles andmaterials, but also has its own
manufacturing capabilities as an
OEM and ODM company. Considering the three big industry trends oftraceability, sustainability, and diversification, how does Mr. Kihara
think the business model will evolve
over the next few years?

relationship that consumers havewith a brand. Again, MN InterFashion is positioned well thanks to
its own branding business.

PERTEX®, a high-performance material brand“Our core business is B2B but with
“I believe that our company isin a very unique position because the consumer power shift, we have
we oversee material production for now been challenged to understandfashion brands,” he says. “Essentially, the consumers more and get a better
we have a bird’s eye view of the reading of what exactly they want.
industry, and it means we can see We have recently initiated our B2C
what should be combined and what operations. In alignment with thisstrategy, we have cultivated our proprietary brand and commenced its
online sales,” says Mr. Kihara.
With 11 overseas subsidiaries,
the majority of which are locatedaround Asia, including factories inVietnam and Myanmar, international strategy also remains highon the agenda with the company
focusing on global markets.
“Right now our overseas operations
new innovation is needed. We can are focused on supplying to Japan soanalyze what combinations and col- that is how we lay out our branches,laborations might work out well and however, we are also now looking
where new value can be created. at how we can sell overseas. WithIn this sense, we identify with our many asserting that the 21st century
role as a comprehensive engineering belongs to Asia, it is imperative forsupply chain innovator. Currently, us to further our expansion efforts
we demonstrate adeptness in ad- in this region. In the industry of apdressing diverse requirements across parel and clothing, having new ideas
various sectors. However, I posit that is very important, so in terms of having
we can elevate our role, orchestrat- more exposure to those ideas we areing industry-wide transformations looking at Europe, which we consider
and transitioning towards a more an extremely important market tostrengthen our business. Of course, theconsultative capacity.”
One of the other major trends U.S. is a huge market as well. There, wein the fashion retail market today are looking to find a reliable partner tois digitalization, with brands in- build a strong alliance with.”creasingly adopting e-commercechannels or digital stores. One ofhttps://mn-interfashion.com
the impacts this is having is the“I view the fashion
business as the businessof lifestyle change.”
Yuzo Yagi, President,
Yagi Tsusho Limited

MACKINTOSH GINZA SIX STORE (TOKYO)

Yagi Tsusho: High-end fashion merchandisingand marketing for the global marketplace
Having operated since 1946 as a specialized trading company in fashion goods, Yagi Tsusho has transformed
itself into a high-end marketing company using its extensive experience in various international markets.
The companies best able to meetthe challenges of the new global
marketplace will be those who are
ready to seize new opportunities.
With Osaka and Tokyo as dual hubs,
and strategically located overseas
offices in the U.S.A., Europe andAsia, which act as a network of
information, marketing, productdevelopment, finance, and logistics,
Yagi Tsusho Limited is one company which has the trading acumen
and financial capabilities to seize
these opportunities today.
Founded in 1946 as on exporterof textiles, Yagi Tsusho today exists as a global fashion marketingand merchandising company specializing in high-end fashion
products such as garments, bags, shoes
and hair accessories,
selling these products through its own
retail shops as wellas through partner
department storesa n d s p e c i a l ty
chain stores.
“I view the
fashion businessto be the business of lifestyle change
and a typicalexample ofthe businessof lifestyle
ch a n ge is
MACKINTOSH

the down jacket,” says company
president, Yuzo Yagi. “Back in
1972 I found the down jacket tobe the most interesting and promising business for the near future
and thought it would be a success
if some company transformed the

ALEXANDRE DE PARIS
then bad looking jacket into something more fashionable. In 1995,
we found an Italian company
which makes fashionable down
jackets by the name of MONCLER.
Their jackets were so warm, solight and looked very contemporary. I firmly believed the down
jacket would replace a big partof the heavy wool coat business and made a long-term
contract with MONCLER
and later we started ajoint venture company
in Japan. MONCLER
evolved into a luxury
brand business and as
they achieved remarkable success, our joint
venture also becamea success.”“While we still
operate as a specialized trading
company in fashion goods, wehave also transformed ourselves
into a new type of global marketingcompany,” adds Mr. Yagi. “We haveacquired several fashion companies
in Europe and U.S.A., including wellknown brands like MACKINTOSH
and ALEXANDRE DE PARIS, andaccordingly we have been doing
marketing of these fashion goodsin the global market.”“With our marketing knowhow, we have managed to transform MACKINTOSH’s traditional
coat into a contemporary andcomfortable offering, all while
preserving the core concept thatdefines MACKINTOSH.”

White pyramid of Gaius Cestius(Rome)
MACKINTOSH is also representative of the Group’s wider businessmodel, which has a distinct focus onserving the upper-middle-class andhigh-end market segments, tailoringproducts to meet the preferences
and needs of this sophisticated clientele. Furthermore, the company
also recently invested in ECOPEL, arenowned French company known
for their faux-fur products. Due to
growing concerns about animal cru-

elty, prestigious Italian and Frenchbrands have expressed growing interest in faux-fur creations.

J&M DAVIDSON“Additionally, we actively engage
with sustainable materials, including organic cotton, recyclable polyester, and biodegradable materials,
and have obtained globally recognized standards, such as the GOTS
(Global Organic Textile Standard)and GRS (Global Recycled Standard),” adds Mr. Yagi.
Meanwhile, the company has
also been involved in the restoration of the ancient White Pyramidin Rome. Mr Yagi states: “This project strengthens our commitment
not only to conducting business ona global scale, but also to making ameaningful contribution to the wellbeing of other countries where we
do business for a long time.”
www.yagitsu.co.jp/en

Atsugi: Japan’s leading
undergarments brandFrom pantyhose and lingerie to pressurized socks and fem-care products.

“When it comes to
our R&D and whichbusiness divisions weare strengthening,
we are looking to
expand our work in thehealthcare sector.”
Shinji Nikko,
President, Atsugi Co., Ltd.
Atsugi, headquartered in Kanagawa, is Japan’s leading stocking
brand specializing in the manufacture of pantyhose, socks andlingerie products.

“We are very grateful that wehave reached our 77th year inbusiness here in Japan. We havebeen able to maintain a high levelof recognition and trust from theJapanese population, and areproud to be widely known forproviding a strong sense of safety,
security and ease,” says Shinji
Nikko, President of Atsugi.
The company’s products not
only serve the undergarment
needs of Japanese women, but
the country’s growing elderly
population too – an area where
the business is today deploying
signiﬁcant research and development investment.
“When it comes to our R&D
and which business divisions weare strengthening, we are looking
to expand our work in the healthcare sector,” says Mr. Nikko. “We
are now working on advancing
this technology to improve oursocks’ effect on the circulatory
system and the nervous system.
This also helps in coping withvarious illnesses and challenges
that older people may face.”
Another area that Atsugi isfocusing on is developing femalecare products. “We want to adapt
the various technologies that wehave developed to create stockings and socks that are soft forthe skin,” Mr. Nikko. “This willallow us to create even better
products for women. Our thread
processing technology can beapplied to create the most comfortable products for women atvarious stages of life.”

www.atsugi.co.jp/english/

Eco-friendly package from ASTIGUASTIGU, the leading stockingsbrand in Japan

Water absorbing shorts as
female-care products

Quadrille Nishida: Success based on the best quality and comfort
Japan’s Quadrille Nishida
offers brassieres that use innovative technology, design,and craftsmanship to provide comfort and support towomen across the world.

“We aim to provide the best quality and comfort forour clients, varying in all ages and shapes.”

Quadrille Nishida’s innovation
has allowed it to develop factories in China and Vietnam, andits products are environmentallyconscious, actively incorporating
materials that utilize recycled yarn
and natural resources like organic
cotton. Furthermore, Quadrille
Nishida’s dedication to high-quality
Japanese craftsmanship resultsin exceptional product durability.

Toshio Nishida, President (left); Kiyomi Nishida, Chairman (right),
Quadrille Nishida Co., Ltd.
“Side Support Design” Bra
The importance of personal comfort can never be overstated, andone of the companies ensuring
women of all ages can feel relaxedand free is Japanese underwear
manufacturer Quadrille Nishida.
Founded in 1969, the OEM specialist uses innovative design andtechnology to manufacture brassieres that allow women to move
without the worry of discomfort.
Quadrille Nishida’s core technology is its Side Support concept,
capitalizing on the human body’s

comparative resilience to pressure from the sides, with company
chairman Kiyomi Nishida proudly
stating: “Considering the skel-

etal structure
and thicknessof the human
body, our bra
provides greater comfort
with reduced
constriction
by supporting the bodyfrom the sides.
Moreover, oursewing technology complements
our design philosophy, resulting
in products that offer mobility,
comfort, and an exceptional ﬁt.”In-house brand “Twin Cross”
As a manufacturer committed
to crafting healthy and comfortable products, both domesticallyin Japan and on the global stage,
Quadrille Nishida remains dedicated to collaborating with customers to deliver products that
contribute to the well-being of
women and society as a whole.
www.quadrille.co.jp/enKamakura Shirts:
Made in Japan, made for the world
A Japanese fashion brand that’s celebrating its 30th anniversary, Kamakura Shirts is out to continue its steady
growth at home and abroad.
A Japanese company committed to quality materials and highmanufacturing standards, Kamakura Shirts specializes in precisely crafted, stylish shirts thatstand the test of time. Foundedin the seaside city of Kamakura in
1993, the firm has enjoyed steady
growth over the past 30 years –and as it looks ahead to its fourth
decade, Kamakura Shirts is out tocontinue building its brand, bothin Japan and abroad.
“You probably know the storyof the tortoise and the hare,”says Kamakura Shirts’ president, Nanako Sadasue. “In thatregard, our company is more
like the tortoise than the hare.
We have taken firm, deliberate steps, moving forward in a
gradual, focused manner. These
are the principles that we haveadhered to throughout the history of our company, and wewant to carry on in that veinfor the years to come.”
Thanks in part to this prudent,
purposeful approach, Kamakura
Shirts has established itself as amanufacturer that respects andprotects the environment. “Theessence of our business model
is to produce approximately thesame number of products as wesell,” Ms. Sadasue explains. “We
do not overproduce or exceed
the number of products that
we need. This prevents us fromincreasing our environmental
burden, as we do not throw
away the amount of things thatthe fast fashion companies do
according to reports circulatingaround the world.
“Another aspect of our business model is its simplicity, as
we do not create many different variations of products. We
create high-quality productsthat become very popular, withpeople preferring to only buy
one particular type of shirt,
for example. Offering a limited
range of products allows us totrack our stock better.”
Kamakura Shirts green commitment is further exemplified“We want to continue introducing our high-quality
products to both the domestic and overseas markets.
We want to spread the word about our products tothe wider global audience.”
Nanako Sadasue, President, Maker’s Shirt Kamakura Co., Ltd.

Shanghai store
by its development of a stateof-the-art, anti-wrinkle fabricthat is designed to sidestep thereliance on chemicals seen in
the production of other easycare materials. Created withthe help of the spinning specialists at the Unitika Tokiwa Fac-

tory – and a grant from Japan’s
Ministry of Economy, Tradeand Industry – Palpa Premiumfeatures a unique, two-layer
structure, with cotton woundaround polyester to generate
its wrinkle resistance. “Cotton
easy-care fabrics usually need a

special chemical resin to be applied to the surface to become
wrinkle resistant,” Ms. Sadasue
says. “However, Palpa Premiumis inherently anti-wrinkle.”
A company that places an
e m p h a s i s o n a l l -J a p a n e s e
m a n u fa c t u r i n g , K a m a k u ra
Shirts boasts stores acrossthe country. It has also openeda Chinese branch in Shanghai,
and ran a successful New York
store until COVID-19 forced its
closure. In addition, the firm’s
shirts for men and women are
sold at partner retail outlets inlocations such as Hong Kong,
the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, France, Sweden
and the U.K.
As Kamakura Shirts bids todouble its current turnover by
the time its 40th anniversary
comes around, the company isworking to grow its network of
in-house stores – an expansion
plan that stands to benefit bothin-person and internet sales. “Westill have not fully covered theJapanese market,” Ms. Sadasue
says. “In September this year,
we opened our first store in Sapporo, and we intend to launchmore domestic shops next year.
Our products have to be fitted,
which requires our customers tovisit our shops. Later, they canvisit our online store and buy thesame products again.
“Internationally, the American market – which accounts
for 80% of all purchases fromour global online store – will be
important for us going forward.
For the time being, reopening
our store in New York andpotentially opening a second
store in Washington, D.C., are
my goals. While they may be
ambitious objectives, we will
steadily take the steps that are
required and we will not rush
to achieve them.”

https://kamakurashirts.com

Chikuma: The uniform specialists
committed to society and sustainability
A Japanese company that sells uniforms on the domestic and international markets,
Chikuma looks to take care of the planet and give something back to society.
leading to more orders for company
uniforms from clients such as airlines,
hotels and restaurants,” says Chikuma’s president, Wataru Horimatsu.

“We aim to showcase
our recycling capabilities
to position ourselves
as a sustainable andenvironmentally
responsible company.”
Wataru Horimatsu,
President, Chikuma & Co., Ltd.
A specialist B2B supplier of uniforms, Chikuma is a socially and environmentally conscious Japaneseﬁrm whose products are in demand.
“Japan has witnessed an inﬂux
of tourists following the pandemic,

Electric fan wear
Chikuma’s school uniforms are
selling well, too. “Despite a 2% decrease in Japan’s student population, we achieved a 4% increase inrevenue last year,” Mr. Horimatsu
reveals. “We’re now targeting elementary school students: only 10%of them wear uniforms, so there’s
huge untapped potential.”
As well as being popular inJapan, Chikuma’s top-quality

uniforms – which can even beequipped with in-built fans – could
be exported worldwide.
A company that also sells fabrics to domestic and international
clothing manufacturers, Chikuma is
dedicated to minimizing waste, having established an environmentalprotection ofﬁce in 1995.

Material recycle ﬂow chart“We’ve set up a recycling loop tocollect and recycle the items we produce, transforming them into new
products,” Mr. Horimatsu says. “At
our recycling facilities in Shizuoka,

Exhibit at Premiere Vision
we convert clothing into automobileinterior materials.”
A commitment to sustainablefashion was also among Chikuma’s
motivations for creating Fukuiku,
a social-outreach program thatencourages people about the signiﬁcance of clothing in daily life.
“We emphasize that clothing is effective for communication and social
participation that leads to health,safety, and environmental sustainability,” Mr. Horimatsu explains.
www.chikuma.co.jp/en

Diversifying manufacturing horizons
and strategies for global expansion
From security equipment to sustainable innovations: Unveiling the multidimensional
endeavours of Kinboshi Inc.

Security uniforms
Though Kinboshi’s primary business in Japan revolves aroundsecurity equipment and uniforms,
the ﬁrm, which was establishedin the late 1940s, is involved in awide range of businesses both athome and abroad.
“Our core mission,” says company president Kazufumi Ishii, “isto make signiﬁcant contributions tosociety through our business operations; we prioritize the social andnatural environment, along with theliving environment of individuals.”
Known for an approach thatemphasizes product quality anddurability over just sales, Kinboshi
provides comprehensive after-sales
services to support optimal purchase cycles and product life.
Where uniforms and security
equipment are concerned, this encompasses anything from cleaning
and maintenance to storage andinventory management assistance. Ultra ﬁne bubble generator“PURETE”
With the launch of ultraﬁne bubble generator PURETE,
be applied to a variety of indushowever, the company hastries. This led to the development
clear ambitions to move beof UFB generator PURETE”
yond Japan and establish
Today the firm is exploritself in the global market.
ing new applications for the
Mr. Ishii adds: “We origitechnology, particularlyin the care sector,
nally explored thewhere PURETE has
potential of UFB
already improved thetechnology to
efﬁciency of the pafind a more eftient bathing process.
ficient method
An increased focus
of cleaning union robotics and laborforms. Over timesaving alternatives
we realized thiswill simultaneously
technology could Powder feeder “LD-12L”“In ﬁve years’ time wewill have consolidated our
position in the domestic
market and expanded
overseas, improving
quality of life for people
all over the world.”
Kazufumi Ishii,
President, Kinboshi Inc.
allow the company to address
challenges presented by Japan’s
aging population. “At Kinboshi, weare keenly aware of the impact ofthese issues,” Mr. Ishii states, “andare actively seeking to diversify ourbusiness ventures in accordancewith our values.”

www.kinboshi-inc.com

Kaji Tech providing safe plastic snaps
for a variety of garments
From sports apparel and working uniforms to baby garments, Kaji Tech is providing the best materials to ensurehigh-quality apparel.

“It is our mission toprovide safety to babies
and children, both inJapan and worldwide.
That is our goal for the
future.”Noboru Kajiura, President,
Kaji Tech Co., Ltd.
The 100-year history of Kaji Techis a story of evolution and adaptation. The company, whichcelebrated its centenary in 2022,
started out as a supplier of secondary material for shoes for theJapanese Army before becoming a manufacturer of children’s
shoes. Later, it decided to focus
on babywear and today Kaji Techis a leading supplier of plastic
snaps for baby clothes, as wellas general clothing, electronic
components, bags, sports equipment and more.

Sustainable mushroom leather“I believe that the essence that
underlies our 100-year history isthat the founder of the company,
who was my grandfather, always
insisted on three keywords forour business. The ﬁrst is ‘sincerity’, the second is ‘making efforts’and the third is ‘gratitude’,” says
current third-generation president, Noboru Kajiura. “On top of
that, when my father became theKaji Tech’s billion-unit
seller: safe plastic snaps
for babies and kids
president, he made the company
credo to respect the past andrespect tradition, but to always
be innovative and cater to thecurrent needs of society. WhenI became the president, I madethe company credo to weave,connect and attach the smilesof people all around the world.”
Kaji Tech’s most important innovation to date has been theplastic snaps for babywear thathave replaced metal snaps, which
can be more dangerous, moreeasily swallowed or cause metalallergies due to babies’ sensitiveskin. By converting these snaps toplastic, Kaji Tech is providing safer
babywear, not only in Japan but
also throughout the world. Testament to the quality, reliability
and safety of its products is thefact that the company’s snaps
are widely used in garments thatare manufactured by the biggest
SPA brand in Asia, which has
thousands of retail stores and theNo.1 baby brand in Japan.
As a company committed tothe environment, Kaji Tech has
managed to develop eco-friendly
solutions, such as snaps madefrom recycled resin, Mycel, a sustainable leather material derived
from mushrooms, as well as apple
leather and wood leather, in whichwood powder is used to make theleather. Kaji Tech has also beencollaborating with a fellow Japa-

nese company, FUKUI TAIYO, to
up-cycle used EVA foam for the
manufacture of saddles.

Japanese-made snap DIY kit“Within our corporate philosophy, we have four core values.
One of those values is coexistence with the environment. Our
mission is to supply products thatare friendly to both humans andthe environment. We have acquired ISO9001 and ISO14001
which are environmentally related ISO standards, as well as
GRS, which is the global recycling
standard,” explains Mr. Kajiura.
“Most of our plastic snaps
have been certiﬁed with OekoTex certiﬁcates. Having said that,the advantage of manufacturing snaps with plastic compared
to metal is that it creates zerowaste and does not require any
water in the process of manufacturing. Therefore, it is more ecofriendly in terms of processing.”
With Japan’s dwindling domestic market due the aging
population, diversification andglobal expansion are key to Kaji

Tech’s strategic plans moving
forward. In terms of diversification, the company is developing new applications for its
products and materials, which
includes the development ofmaterials for batteries.
“Finding new applications andnew markets is crucial for us,”adds the company president.
“For example, when it comes tothe shackle, we were recently
able to apply it to the logistics
area, which is a new market
development for us. Our main
customers are in the apparelfield and babywear in particular.
However, we also have sports
apparel, work uniforms andoutdoor-related applications.
“During the pandemic, whenpeople were staying at home andsocial distancing, handicrafts
became a popular activity. So,
we started to provide products
for the handicrafts market not
only in Japan but also in Taiwan
and the U.S. too. We want tocontinue strengthening this fieldgoing forward.”
When it comes to global
expansion, India, South andSoutheast Asia are prime target
markets for Kaji Tech, which isalways on the lookout for partners with local knowledge whenentering new regions.
“Partnering with local companies is crucial. Learning andunderstanding the local culture
is important when entering into
a new market. Therefore, wehave partnered with an Indianand Bangladeshi local company
that does sales and provides machinery maintenance. We wantto take this business model andenlarge it so that we can expand
across Southeast Asia,” says.
Mr. Kajiura.
“We want to thrive together asa team working with all of ourpartners. Enhancing our status
globally is the key to growth.”

www.kajitech.jp/en

Pioneering digital transformationin the optical industry“As a result of thechanges we’ve
implemented,
approximately 40% of
our previous in-store
processes can now be
efficiently completed
through online channels.”

OWNDAYS has digitized its customer journey, cutting down on the time customers
spend in-store in order to make the overall experience more efficient.

Shuji Tanaka,
President, OWNDAYSOWNDAYS MBS Premium Concept Store

Frame: OWNDAYS SNAP

Frame: Graph Belle

Frame: OWNDAYS SNAPOWNDAYS is a leading eyewear
brand from Japan with more than
550 shops in Japan, South East
Asia, and Australia. Selling over
3.5 million pairs of glasses a year,
it is one of the few companies in
the world that has implemented
the SPA (Specialty store retailerof Private label Apparel) system
into the optical business where
the entire process from design
and manufacturing through toinventory management and retail is managed from within. Thissystem has allowed the company
to maintain the highest level ofproduct quality in order to meet
Japanese Industrial Standards
while keeping prices affordable.
In the globalized world, ecommerce has become a signifi-

Frame: OWNDAYS+
cant contributing factor for retailbrands aiming to expand their presence, and for the optical industry –and OWNDAYS in particular – thisis no different.
“Spectacles are a unique product,” says Shuji Tanaka, Presidentof OWNDAYS. “And traditionally they have been approachedthrough an omnichannel strategy,
which maximizes their impact bylinking physical stores with theinternet. The process typicallyinvolves eyesight inspections,trying and testing the glasses,
making necessary adjustmentseven after their initial use, andproviding after-service support
alongside the glasses.
“We have been able tostrengthen customer loyalty

and engagement by enhancing
our industry leading warranty
system and promoting digital
membership. Furthermore, since
the pandemic, innovations suchas the virtual try-on function,
remote eye test, and the realtime service notification systemhave embodied our commitment
to digitalization, which has
helped us eliminate unnecessary
steps, cutting down on the timecustomers spend in-store, andmaking the overall experience
more efficient.”
He adds: “With these remote
eye inspections, for instance, wecurrently handle an impressive
volume of up to 1,000,000 cases
per year. Each remote inspection
is meticulously recorded and fed
into our AI system. Our aim is totransition away from relying on
human employees for this aspectof the job within the next two
years, with avatars taking overcustomer communication.”OWNDAYS SANEI PARCO CITY︎
Mr. Tanaka stresses that whilecertain aspects like eye checkups, inspections, and fittings stillrequire in-store attention, OWNDAYS has made a deliberate effort to separate the physical anddigital aspects of its operations.
This has led to the company allocating more resources to tasks
that need to be performed at
the physical stores, enhancing
overall customer satisfaction.

OWNDAYS SM Megamall“During the past three years,
we’ve focused on identifying
which steps previously conducted in-store could be shifted
online. As a result, approximately
40% of our previous in-store
processes can now be efficiently
completed through online channels. However, we have no intention of transitioning all ourservices online, as that could
potentially inconvenience ourcustomers. We believe in striking
a balance, aiming for a 50/50
distribution between physicaland online services.”www.owndays.com

STYLEM makes commitment to sustainability
and development of new services and products
With a rich history spanning 160 years, the Japanese domestic giant focuses on the textile business, placing
greater emphasis on major markets like China, the EU and the United States.

“My primary objective isto ensure that everyonein the fashion industry
not only knows who
STYLEM is, but also
understands our mission
and contributions.”
Ryuta Taki,
President & CEO, STYLEM
TAKISADA-OSAKA CO., LTD.
STYLEM TAKISADA-OSAKA CO.,LTD., a textile trading company
established in 1864, continues
to support the fashion businessacross four business divisions: textiles, raw materials, apparel garments, and lifestyle. The company
is expanding its business globallywith a focus on the textile business, which has established the
top share in the domestic market.
Given the weak Japanese yen
and current international context, which has seen the U.S, andWestern countries decouplingfrom China, many commentators
believe this could be a pivotal time
for Japanese industry.

Triporous: Space QOL Series
And while the weak yen undoubtedly benefits STYLEM’s business, president Ryuta Taki is keen
to emphasize that there are otherreasons for consumers to choose
Japanese products.
“Our clients predominantly
seek made-in Japan textiles dueto their exceptional quality,” heas the basis for its planning andmarketing strategies.
“Maintaining an extensive global
network is essential to our strategy,” Mr. Taki states. “We want toconcentrate on potential areas forour production sites that cater tohigh end apparel brands or clients.
Which is why we are also prioritizing regions such as the ASEAN
countries, China and India for our
production sites, where we havealready established operations.”
The ARCHIVE & GALLERY at the STYLEM Headquarters
says, “something that cannot beeasily replicated elsewhere.”
The country is also leading theway when it comes to providing
an alternative to fast fashion. In
recent years there has been ahuge push in the West for handmade Japanese denim, a demandthat is reflective of a more general shift towards sustainability
in Europe and beyond.

ORGANIC FIELD™
“We believe,” Mr. Taki says, “thatour mission is to deliver high-quality clothing that stands the testof time, rather than promoting
cheaper, disposable options.”
It is worth noting that aswell as producing high-quality
garments, STYLEM is strongly
committed to sustainability andhas taken on the challenge ofdeveloping new products and services, such as ORGANIC FIELD™.
Every process involved in producing ORGANIC FIELD cotton
is controlled by STYLEM, fromseed selection through to cotton
cultivation and yarn production,
to ensure its traceability.

Since converting farms to organic production takes time, thecompany has entered into a partnership agreement with Indiancompany NSL, working together
with farmers from the first in-conversion year (IC1) onwards. STYLEM is also working to improve
the working environment and thenatural environment by safeguarding workers’ health and protecting the soil from harmful
chemical substances.
“By creating an environment that facilitates
the conversion to organic
cultivation,” Mr. Taki confirms, “we are making acontribution towards job
creation and local community development; building
a sustainable supply chain
to usher in a brighter future for everyone.”
Nor has the company
neglected its digital and online
presence, recently establishing its
web store, named the STYLEM
FABRIC STORE.
Mr. Taki again: “Through thisplatform, we offer designers in
the apparel industry a convenient
way to browse and select materials that align with their creative
vision. We maintain an extensive inventory of approximately
5,000 traceable fabrics, providing a one-stop shop for clients
to check product information,
including specification and stock
availability, and place orders.”
The company focuses on fashion capitals such as Paris, Milanor New York, with these serving

STYLEM FABRIC STORE
A recent collaboration with Sony
Group Corporation, meanwhile, has
led to the creation of wear madewith Triporous™, a porous carbon
material made from rice husks.
Thanks to its unique patented
microstructure, Triporous offers
potential applications in a wide
range of fields such as water andair purification. This wear has excellent deodorant and antibacterial
effects, quickly eliminating unpleasant odors and enabling it to be worn
repeatedly even in environments
where laundering is not possible.
That even includes outer space:“Triporous: Space QOL Series” relaxing wear, in which Triporous isapplied to textiles was adopted
on astronaut Satoshi Furukawa’s
long-duration mission aboard theInternational Space Station (ISS)in August 2023.
For his part, Mr. Taki is more
focused on earthly concerns.
“The fast fashion industry generates a considerable amountof waste,” he concludes. “Myvision is for the next generation
to carry forward the business ina more sustainable and environmentally responsible manner.”

https://en.stylem.co.jp

NAXIS: Pioneering sustainable innovation in apparelFounded in 1897, Naxis is a leading apparel auxiliary material manufacturer committed to innovating solutions
that promote greater sustainability in the sector, including cutting-edge RFID technology.

“Sustainability is morethan just eco-friendly
products. It demands aholistic approach, and by
reducing overproduction,
we signiﬁcantly impact
the industry.”
Taiho Nakamura, President,
NAXIS Co., Ltd.
© Photos by Takuya Furusue
As it is across the entire global
economy, sustainability is today one of the major challenges
facing the apparel sector. It isestimated that about 10,000
clothing items go into landﬁlls every ﬁve minutes due tothe modern fast fashion trend.
Japanese manufacturers suchas Naxis are at the forefrontof industry innovation aimed at
improving sustainability in thisﬁeld, pioneering environmentallyfriendly materials such as theEconax-cello, a packaging material made from wood pulpderived viscose as an alternative
to petroleum-based ﬁlms.

in the apparel industry. Traditionally, lead times in this ﬁeld
have been quite long, with manufacturers producing numerous
items and keeping them in stock
without a clear understanding ofactual demand or future trends.”
The company’s RAIN RFID
(UHF RFID) solution, which waslaunched in 2005, is now one of
Naxis’ major products and provides an effective way to prevent such problems of excess
endemic in the apparel sector,
today producing more than one
billion RAIN RFID tags a year.
“By introducing RAIN RFID solution and using it correctly, manufacturers are able to understandinventory status in real-time. Furthermore, by properly managing
inventory, you can increase theaccuracy of demand forecasts
and more realistically grasp theamount of inventory needed in the
future,” explains Mr. Nakamura.

Woven labels“We develop, manufacture,and sell eco-friendly products,
but we recognize that we have
only just scratched the surfaceof addressing sustainability,” says
Taiho Nakamura, CEO of Naxis,
which has been an apparel auxiliary material manufacturer forover 125 years.
“The essence of sustainability
involves more than simply offering environmentally friendly
products. What we are focusing
on as the essence of sustainability is how we can contribute tosolving the problems of excessive
production and excess inventory

RAIN RFID Inlays
Besides its RAIN RFID solution, Naxis – which globally delivers labels and packages fromseven production sites and employs 2,000 people across Asia
– has also developed its proprietary Naxis Relational Database(NRD), a web order placement
system for auxiliary materials. Its

Implant Naxis Platform (iNAP)
additionally provides clients withan in-plant printing system.
“In the traditional businessmodel, we would create tags
and products after receiving orders and then deliver them toour customers. By using NRD and
iNAP, we can install tag printing
machinery within our clients’ factories,” says Mr. Nakamura. “Orders are still processed through
NRD, but the actual production
takes place on-site. To ensure
top-quality results, we carefully
select materials and conﬁgure
the machinery to operate in multiple languages to suit different
regions. This allows us to provide
a comprehensive software solution service while maintaining
consistent quality. Our initial focus for this project is centeredaround the ASEAN region, andthis direction aligns with ourcommitment to contributing to
the reduction of excess production by making lead times shorter
within the industry.”

Functional products
The RFID technology which
Naxis specializes in is a form of
wireless communication thatincorporates the use of electromagnetic couplings and allows theunique identiﬁcation of objects,
people and even animals. The technology has seen rapid growth inrecent times, however, some of
the challenges it faces include
reader collision where one tagfrom an RFID can interfere withanother. Furthermore, materials
like metal can impact the signal,and sometimes they are not as
accurate as bar codes. Naxis is oneof many industry innovators working to overcome these challenges.
“Recognizing our customers’
thinking on the matter, we are
actively working to enhance theirunderstanding of the limitations
and technical constraints asso-

Heat transfer printing
ciated with RAIN RFIDs,” says
Mr. Nakamura. “We believe it is
crucial to consider the incorporation of barcodes and QR codes
alongside RAIN RFID technology
to evaluate the advantages anddisadvantages of each combination and choose the most suitableoption. RAIN RFID can either
replace or complement barcodes.
Essentially, any products withbarcodes can use RAIN RFID.
Our primary focus now is on thewidespread integration of RAIN
RFID tags into various items.”
This technology’s current phaseis reminiscent of the early days of
the Internet, particularly in Japan
in 1995 when households ﬁrst began adopting computers and connecting to the Internet. Back then,while people had internet access,they were not entirely sure how tomake the most of it. It was only asinternet usage spread globally thatnew services like Yahoo, Google,
Facebook, and others emerged.
“We see our current endeavor
as comparable to these earlystages of internet adoption,”says Mr. Nakamura. “By spreading RAIN RFID tags into a wide
range of products, we are creating an interconnected environment. This network of RAIN RFID
tags will serve as a foundation,
and we are actively preparing
the stage for new players who
specialize in software to identify
and leverage the potential of thisestablished RAIN RFID tag network. Our role is to create thisessential network and await theentrance of innovative industry
players who will further develop
systems based on it.”https://naxis.net/en/Sankosha: Japanese quality
ﬁnishing equipment manufacturer
for laundry and dry cleaning
From its humble beginnings in the City of Hachioji, Sankosha has now grown to be the
go-to manufacturer for dry cleaners across the world.

“Compared to othercompanies, we are
unique in the way that
we have been able
to establish a group
network, which allows
us to take care ofeverything by ourselves.”
LP-5000J
The company behind the renowned
Sankosha and Ajax brands of dry
cleaning machines, Sankosha has
been an global ambassador of‘Made-in-Japan’ quality for 30
years. With its roots in the Cityof Hachioji, Sankosha has built anestablished presence in the U.S.,
Europe and Asia, and, although
not a household name, the company is well-known among thosein the dry cleaning industry. “We
are a global niche company thatis known by those in the know,”states Yusuke Uchikoshi, presidentof Sankosa, who runs the company(founded by his father) along withhis brother, Keisuke Uchikoshi, theexecutive vice president.
Unlike many of its competitors,
Sankosha boasts a total in-housemanufacturing system, from design
to prototyping and production, andcan produce 2,000 units per year.
In fact the development of this inhouse system comes down to thecompany’s origins in Hachioji, as
explained by Yusuke Uchikoshi. “Thereason why we have such a highpercentage of in-house productionis that we are located in Hachioji,
where it is difﬁcult to ﬁnd subcontractors. If we were located in areas
where the automotive or shipbuilding industries are prevalent, thenwe would have been able to have a
subcontracting model. Comparedto other companies, we are uniquein the way that we have been able
to establish a group network, whichallows us to take care of everythingby ourselves. This is something that
other companies are not doing.”
Sankosha’s overseas sales now
represent 80% of total sales, compared to 50% in 2007. And the company’s international success can betraced back to its initial move to
the U.S. back in 1993. While cracking the U.S. market was difﬁcult at
ﬁrst, dry cleaning business owners
soon came to recognize the beneﬁts
of Sankosha’s machines over thosemade by American manufacturers, which were not as durable andthus required more maintenanceafter a short period of time. “Ourmachines can last from ﬁve to ten
years. Sometimes no maintenanceis required at all. This resulted in thecustomers choosing our equipment
instead of the equipment from the
U.S. companies that did not last longand required regular maintenance,”says Keisuke Uchikoshi. “More andmore customers began to choose ourcompany. The ‘Made in Japan’ brandequipment had a great reputation,and many Japanese ﬁnishing equipment manufacturers started to go to
the U.S. They saw how successful wewere, so they wanted to follow suit.”
Be it in the U.S., Japan or beyond, Sankosha has always been
associated with three characteristics: quality, cost performance,
and innovation – factors that haveguided its success and are key toproduct development. “These threecharacteristics allow you to posi-

ST9300tion yourself at the forefront of
any age,” adds Yusuke Uchikoshi.
“The concept of our brand is toprovide trust and assurance, andwhen it comes to future products,
we want to provide new surprises
to our customers. We highly value
our company culture, which allows
us to provide all of these aspects
to our customers.”
One particular highlight solution
developed to cater to customer
needs is the ST-900 press-freemachine, which allows dry cleaners to treat washable garments
without using multiple processes,
saving on energy and human labor.
“If dry cleaners buy our press-freemachine, they can reduce their labor costs immediately. If we set
the price of our machine at lessthan the labor cost for two people,
the companies will want to buy it,”states the president.
Offering both its premium andstandard brands, Sankosha andAjax respectively, the company
has solutions for all budgets andaims to expand its customer basein the U.S. and Europe. Meanwhile,
it will continue to develop new
products based on quality, cost
performance and innovation, with
automation and robotic laborsaving solutions top priority due
to the aging society in Japan andmany developed countries.
“Based on these three key elements, we are trying to develop
and produce new machinery and

Yusuke Uchikoshi,
President (left),
Keisuke Uchikoshi,
Executive Vice President (right),
SANKOSHA Co., Ltd.
new solutions so that we can cater to the changing society,” adds
Yusuke Uchikoshi. “We have already developed new machines
such as our press-free machines(ST-9000) and our universal folders (AF-1000J). By enhancing andcombining our technologies, we
can develop new solutions.”
However Keisuke Uchikoshi isquick to point out that the company
is not only focused on the aging
society and labor-saving technologies. “We are also focusing on how
we can help existing dry cleaners tosurvive in this changing industry. I
focus on the present, whereas mybrother focuses on the future under
the presumption that we cannot
only stay in the drycleaning industry. We will need to expand for
us to be sustainable in the future.
While I have a short-term vision, my
brother’s vision is for the long-term.
Of course, we need to focus on both,and there must be a balance. They
complement each other.”

https://sankosha-mfg.com

Takayama Reed offering next-generation
technology to support the textile industry
President Toru Takayama received the Award of Decoration from the Emperor of Japan inNovember 2023 in recognition of his contribution to the company’s remarkable progress.
Japan might be grappling withan aging population and a shrinking domestic market, but for
Takayama Reed President, Toru
Takayama, the answer does notnecessarily lie in automation.
“Everything we have here at ourcompany,” he says, “is a result of
our expertise and knowledge, andwe cannot turn our back on thatcraftsmanship after more than
100 years in business.”
Mr. Takayama is adamant thatthe best way for younger employees to learn is from experienced
craftsmen, and this inter-generational technology transfer means
the company currently enjoys thenumber one share in reed manufacturing around the globe.
Products such as ETp, a low-friction surface treatment, and DiamondLike-Carbon (DLC), a coating to coverdents, have helped cement this status
in the eyes of clients worldwide.

“We can select thebest reed to meetcustomer needs andprovide them with atailor-made solution.”
Toru Takayama,
President
Takayama Reed Co., Ltd.
And, having recently presented ing the TEXTEST from Switzerseveral new products at this year’s land, with whom it has had a relaInternational Textile Machinery Ex- tionship for 30 years.
As for partnerships in internahibition (ITMA Europe), the firm
has started to diversify its business. tional markets, however, chalIn addition tolenges remain.
manufacturing
Mr. Takayama
reeds, Takayama
again: “We pride
now has the abilourselves in mainity to sell andtaining very tradiservice various
tional ways, which
testing machines
would not go wellimported fromwith many foreign
overseas, includ- Exhibition members at ITMA Milan companies.”

Exhibition booth at ITMA Milan
Even so, America remains big
business, with a new distributor
helping to ensure that more than
50 Takayama Reed shipments
have made their way across to
the U.S. in 2023 so far alone.
“Customers in America recognize the value of our products,” Mr. Takayama explains,“because they know the quality is high, and they know the
product is going to give them
the best features.”Looking to the future, Mr.
Takayama is keen to treasure thecompany’s human capital. That,and to uphold its commitment toquality: “Quality comes first andit is the number one aspect that
we would like to emphasize ineverything we do here.”
www.takayamareed.co.jp/en

NOSAWA: Bringing Japanese craftsmanshipand culture to the world
NOSAWA’s ‘Farm to Table’ philosophy is about utilizing its
organizational capabilities to connect customers’ productswith consumers, providing satisfaction to customers andconsumers alike.

“My objective is toensure our company
remains innovativeand dynamic.”
Kiichiro Nosawa, President,
NOSAWA & CO., LTD.
For over 150 years, NOSAWA &CO. has brought Japanese culture,technology and products to theworld, whilst also bringing the very
best the world has to offer to Japan. As a trading company on the
global stage, it has continually had
to adapt to the changing times toserve consumers with the productsthat they want – acting as a bridge
between Japan and the world.

“We are not merely a trading
company engaged in the buying
and selling of products,” explains
Kiichiro Nosawa, President of NOSAWA & Co. “Under the stance of
our total approach that supports
customers from all directions forthe long term, we pay attention
to what our customers seek inproducts and services, even to the

Dutch Gouda Cheese
smallest needs. We add value toeach customer’s requirements andsend them to the market.”

Cow Comfort BarnNOSAWA is composed of multiple divisions specializing in theimport of Cheese, Livestock, Machinery, Textiles and the export ofJapanese Food, Cutlery, Machineryand Textiles, with all departments
collaborating to pool their expertise and deliver functional solutions
that ensure customer satisfaction.
“Each of our business divisions
holds significant potential,” says Mr.
Nosawa. “Our Machinery division
has already ventured into exporting tofu and soybean machinery

Japanese Kitchen Knifeand factory lines, while also offering
maintenance services for them. In
our Livestock division, we’re actively
engaged in our ‘Farm to Table’ project, which promotes Japanese dairy
farming. Additionally, we export
Japanese denim to China in partnership with a Chinese company. Within
the Business Development division,
we are currently exporting sake,matcha, craft beers and cutlery to
Asia and Europe. Our goal is to continue expanding all of our businessdivisions, with the aim to contributeto the development of each market
and industry we serve.”

www.nosawa.co.jp/en