ASICS Opens Innovation Factory in Kobe to Lead Footwear Design Revolution
Kobe, Tuesday, 8 July 2025.
On 7 July 2025, ASICS inaugurated its innovation factory in Kobe, Japan, to advance sustainable footwear design and meet modern consumer needs in sports.
Revitalizing Onitsuka Tiger Production
The new innovation factory in Kobe will transform ASICS’s domestic shoe manufacturing unit, SANIN ASICS Industry Corporation, into the Onitsuka Innovative Factory Corporation by January 2026. This facility is set to become a global hub for the Onitsuka Tiger brand, emphasizing integration of design and manufacturing capabilities. Aligning with ASICS’s strategic goals, the facility will enhance collaborations with the ASICS Institute of Sport Science and the Onitsuka Tiger Design Center in Milan to realize advanced fashion-forward craftsmanship and unique design features [1][2].
Strategic Goals and Innovations
The factory aims to boost high-value product lines, including the ‘NIPPON MADE’ and ‘THE ONITSUKA’ series, focusing on enhancing product competitiveness through Japanese craftsmanship which emphasizes meticulous detailing—a distinction from overseas mass production methods. Furthermore, the establishment of a global talent hub and scheduled Onitsuka Tiger Global Product Conferences underscore ASICS’s commitment to systematizing skill transfers and technical support across its facilities worldwide. These efforts aim to attract and nurture production and technology talent for sustainable growth [1][2].
Community and Global Connectivity
As part of its regional revitalization efforts, the innovation factory will host various initiatives facilitating workplace experience programs and community interactions, aiming to revive local economies. This plan aligns with ASICS’s broader strategic vision of fostering a community-centric business model that integrates global connectivity with local engagement, thus paving the way for the company’s future endeavors as it nears its 100th anniversary, reflecting on its foundational values of a ‘Sound Mind in a Sound Body’ [1][2].