Skip to Main Content
HBS Home
  • About
  • Academic Programs
  • Alumni
  • Faculty & Research
  • Baker Library
  • Giving
  • Harvard Business Review
  • Initiatives
  • News
  • Recruit
  • Map / Directions
Faculty & Research
  • Faculty
  • Research
  • Featured Topics
  • Academic Units
  • …→
  • Harvard Business School→
  • Faculty & Research→
Publications
Publications
  • June 2005
  • Background Note
  • HBS Case Collection

Overview of the Japanese Apparel Market

By: Rajiv Lal and Arar Han
  • Format:Print
  • | Pages:15
ShareBar

Abstract

Provides an overview of the Japanese apparel market, which was a 13.1 trillion yen industry in 2003, reflecting 5.5% year-over-year shrinkage since 1997, when retailers logged 17.5 trillion yen in sales. Compared to their global counterparts, Japanese apparel shoppers in the 12 to 35 age bracket are considered to be extremely fashion sensitive. Because these consumers commit a disproportionately large amount of their disposable income to fashion goods, the Japanese apparel market has been very attractive to global players such as Inditex, parent of Zara. Moreover, it is considered a promising market for small niche retailers and boutiques featuring up-and-coming designers, many of which are flourishing in areas of Tokyo such as the renowned Harajuku district. By the turn of the 21st century, Japan's chic apparel shoppers have enabled Tokyo to become a fashion center, influencing styles in other Asian countries such as China and Korea and drawing the attention of trend watchers and fashion journalists from around the world.

Keywords

Trends; Financial Crisis; Trade; Emerging Markets; Sales; Luxury; Competition; Segmentation; Apparel and Accessories Industry; Fashion Industry; Asia; China; Japan; Korean Peninsula

Citation

Lal, Rajiv, and Arar Han. "Overview of the Japanese Apparel Market." Harvard Business School Background Note 505-068, June 2005.
  • Educators
  • Purchase

About The Author

Rajiv Lal

Marketing
→More Publications

More from the Authors

    • April 2025 (Revised May 2025)
    • Faculty Research

    Adobe: GenAI Opportunity or Threat?

    By: Sunil Gupta, Rajiv Lal and Allison Ciechanover
    • December 2024 (Revised March 2025)
    • Faculty Research

    WayCool: Addressing Food Loss

    By: Rajiv Lal and Kairavi Dey
    • November 2024 (Revised January 2025)
    • Faculty Research

    Precision Agriculture at AGCO

    By: Rajiv Lal, Alicia Dadlani and Ai-Ling Jamila Malone
More from the Authors
  • Adobe: GenAI Opportunity or Threat? By: Sunil Gupta, Rajiv Lal and Allison Ciechanover
  • WayCool: Addressing Food Loss By: Rajiv Lal and Kairavi Dey
  • Precision Agriculture at AGCO By: Rajiv Lal, Alicia Dadlani and Ai-Ling Jamila Malone
ǁ
Campus Map
Harvard Business School
Soldiers Field
Boston, MA 02163
→Map & Directions
→More Contact Information
  • Make a Gift
  • Site Map
  • Jobs
  • Harvard University
  • Trademarks
  • Policies
  • Accessibility
  • Digital Accessibility
Copyright © President & Fellows of Harvard College.