Leading domestic fashion companies in Japan as of 2021, by sales value

In 2021, Fast Retailing Co., Ltd. was the leading fashion company in Japan with sales exceeding two trillion Japanese yen. The clothing manufacturer and retailer owns the casual wear brand Uniqlo, which is the main contributor to the group company’s sales with its worldwide business operations.
The Japanese ceramics and electronics manufacturer Kyocera ranked in second place, manufacturing and selling jewelry and accessories.

The Japanese fashion industry

The domestic apparel market showed stable retail sales in the decade before the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, with womenswear being the main market segment. However, manufacturers have been exploring new market opportunities within the menswear segment through trending casual wear styles and other alternatives to formal wear. Workwear suits were expected to show continued growth in popularity, being considered a more comfortable alternative made from functional materials as compared to deep-rooted business suits.

Japanese fashion trends

Trends within the Japanese fashion market are inspired and influenced by a variety of domestic and foreign sources, ranging from global trends to influencers on social networking services (SNS), popular culture, and traditional crafts. The Tokyo Fashion Week is the largest fashion event in Japan, at which prominent and small labels showcase their newest styles and creations. Outside of the semi-annual event in the capital city, local fashion shows in other prefectures like Fukuoka and Aichi target the general public with their showcases of domestic casual wear brands.