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Japanese clothing firms reducing reliance on China 3 Jul 2019

Japan-based clothing brands have protected themselves in advance against exposure to US-China trade turbulence by decreasing their reliance on China-based manufacturing facilities in recent years. 

FOCUS: Topshop suffers a setback in Japan 31 Mar 2015

Topshop's bid to be a global player has suffered a setback in Japan, where the retailer shuttered its five stores earlier this year. Here Magdalena Kondej, head of apparel and footwear research at Euromonitor International, looks at the possible reasons why, and asks what happens next?

Japan's Uniqlo in multi-pronged attack on US market 24 Mar 2014

Premium Supima cotton, musician Pharrell Williams and New York's Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) are spearheading the drive by Japan's Fast Retailing Co to expand its Uniqlo chain in the US market.

The Flanarant: China's competitiveness buoyed by Asia challenges 13 Nov 2013

Despite a decision eight years ago by Japanese brands and retailers to cut the amount of clothing sourced from China, garment imports from the country are on the rise. Mike Flanagan believes the reasons should resonate with buyers in the US and EU too.

Uniqlo means business with ambitious global plans 21 Sep 2011

Fast Retailing, owner of the Uniqlo casual clothing chain, thinks big, talks big and has big ambitions - and analysts believe the company does indeed have what it takes to become the biggest clothing retailer in the world within the next decade.

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Fast Retailing books jump in FY profits and revenue 10 Oct 2019

Japan's Fast Retailing Group, the owner of brands including Uniqlo and Gu has booked "record levels" of revenue and profit for the year ending 31 August.

Asics takes stake in sustainable fabrics start up 4 Oct 2019

The investment arm of Japanese sportswear firm Asics Corporation has taken a stake in Spanish startup Pyrates Smart Fabrics, and plans to use its advanced and responsible materials in a capsule collection early next year.

Asics targets dyeing process to slash carbon emissions 24 Sep 2019

Japanese sportswear firm Asics has revealed plans to reduce carbon emissions in the dyeing process of its footwear insoles by 45% from 2020 as part of its new climate targets. 

New Fujitsu tape measure uploads data automatically 19 Sep 2019

Japanese technology company Fujitsu is to begin sales of a new tape-measure based device it says will allow for more efficient measurements in the apparel industry.

Uniqlo and Toray team up on recycled down and fabric 18 Sep 2019

Uniqlo-owner Fast Retailing and materials maker Toray Industries are teaming up to produce clothing made from recycled down and fabric that contains polyester fibres from recycled plastic bottles.

Yahoo Japan takes majority stake in fashion e-tailer Zozo 13 Sep 2019

Yahoo Japan is set to take over Japan's top fashion e-tailer Zozo Inc after acquiring a majority stake from founder Yusaku Maezawa in a US$2.2bn deal.

Fast Retailing pledges $1.8m to support Asia workers 4 Sep 2019

Japanese retail giant Fast Retailing is to invest US$1.8m in a new programme with the International Labour Organization (ILO) to improve social security systems and worker environments in Asia.

Ted Baker eyes Japan expansion with new licence deal 30 Aug 2019

Ted Baker has inked an agreement with Sojitz Infinity as its Japanese retail licence partner to accelerate the long-term growth of the UK fashion and lifestyle brand in the country.

3D vision technology automates gluing in shoe production 20 Aug 2019

A 3D vision technology developed for facial recognition in smartphones is now being used by an international footwear manufacturer to automate the gluing process, helping to reduce costs and waste and improve production efficiency. 

Asahi Kasei to expand artificial suede production 1 Aug 2019

Chemicals and materials conglomerate Asahi Kasei is to expand production of its Lamous artificial suede product, used in various functions including apparel, at its site in Miyazaki, Japan.