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Japan's apparel market – Key selling and sourcing trends 23 Oct 2019

Japan is not only one of the world's largest apparel markets, it is also one of the biggest clothing importers, providing new opportunities for fashion brands and retailers. Here, Julia Huott and Sheng Lu from the University of Delaware, take an in-depth look at selling and sourcing patterns in the country – and some of its unique characteristics.

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.

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New YKK zippers made from ocean-bound plastic 16 Jan 2020

Fastener manufacturer YKK has announced a new collection of zippers made from "ocean-bound" plastic collected within 50km of the coastline of Sri Lanka.

Uniqlo Japan uses recycled down in new line 15 Jan 2020

Fast Retailing clothing brand Uniqlo Japan has begun recycling down extracted from donated items for use in new products.

Fast Retailing sales and profits slump in Q3 13 Jan 2020

Japan's Fast Retailing Group, the owner of brands including Uniqlo and Gu has booked a drop in both revenues and earnings for its first-quarter, weighed down by weaker profits in its South Korea and Hong Kong operations.

Browzwear adds YKK fasteners to 3D design tools 11 Dec 2019

Browzwear, a specialist in 3D design and development software for the apparel industry, is to integrate YKK Corp fasteners into its digital platform.

Teijin Frontier develops tear-resistant sportswear fabric 5 Dec 2019

Teijin Frontier, the fibre product converting business of Japanese conglomerate Teijin Group, has launched a lightweight, tear and abrasion-resistant, flat-surfaced fabric that it says is ideal for sports and outdoor wear.

Asics promotes Unbehaun to CEO of EMEA 22 Nov 2019

Japanese sporting goods brand Asics has named Carsten Unbehaun as the new CEO of its Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region, succeeding Alistair Cameron who has held the post for the past 10 years.

Fast Retailing engages robot startups to boost warehouse efficiencies 13 Nov 2019

Japan's Fast Retailing Group, the owner of brands including Uniqlo and Gu, has employed two robotic startups to help improve efficiency in warehousing and distribution.

Uniqlo and s.Oliver under fire over Indonesia workers 21 Oct 2019

Worker rights campaigners have filed a complaint with the Fair Labor Association against Uniqlo-owner Fast Retailing and German clothing brand s.Oliver over the failed settlement of wage and severance payments at a former supplier in Indonesia.

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.