Asics Corporation’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Sanin Asics Industry Corporation, a Japanese domestic shoe manufacturing facility, is being renamed Onitsuka Innovative Factory Corporation and will become a dedicated production base for Onitsuka Tiger.
The company said in a media release that the newly branded facility aims to become “a world-class hub for innovation and craftsmanship,” with a scheduled start of operations in January 2026.
“This transformation marks a return to the roots of the Asics story,” Asics explained. “The company was originally founded in 1949 as Onitsuka Co., Ltd. by Kihachiro Onitsuka, who had the ambition to uplift people through sport and movement. In 2002, the Onitsuka name was revived with the launch of Onitsuka Tiger as a fashion brand. Today, it represents a fusion of Japanese heritage and contemporary design, with a global presence through flagship stores and digital platforms.”
The transformation of the factory into a dedicated Onitsuka Tiger production site will “establish a vertically integrated production system that includes planning and development capabilities, while also strengthening collaboration with the Asics Institute of Sport Science (ISS) and the Onitsuka Tiger Design Center in Milan.”
“The factory will undergo a significant interior and exterior renovation. Plans also include the creation of an Onitsuka Tiger Gallery (tentative name), showcasing the brand’s history, iconic archive shoes and notable collaborations,” the company said.
The company said the Onitsuka Innovative Factory will focus on the following strategic initiatives:
- Expansion of high-value product lines, including the “Nippon Made” series and the formal/business-oriented “The Onitsuka” series.
- Enhancement of product competitiveness through Japanese craftsmanship, emphasizing detailing and specialized techniques not easily replicated in overseas mass production.
- Systematization of skill transfer, technical support for overseas factories and the expansion of training programs for production and technology talent.
- Establishment of a global talent hub, including hosting the Onitsuka Tiger Global Product Conference.
Additionally, the facility will support regional revitalization through workplace experience programs and provide space for community interaction and engagement.
Image courtesy Asics Corporation
