Take a trip to the Land of the Rising Sun, and you might actually like what you see in the clothing stores. They know how to dress. They’re creative, fun, innovative, sexy, smart, classy, practical, all rolled into one. Make no mistake: these years, the latest fashion trends haven’t been originating in France with some of the hottest designers known to humankind, nor has it even been showing up here in the U.S. The trend capital of the world is actually Japan, without a doubt.
There’s one problem, though: that fashion industry of Japan’s doesn’t get outside its bubble, not even a little bit. In other words, Japanese clothing brands apparently don’t seem to have an interest in going overseas as imports for more profit. When was the last time you saw a pair of jeans made exclusively in Japan here in the States? Probably never. It’s safe to say that while the trends start in Japan, the market over there is so focused and fragmented to not even allow the prospect of maybe dealing with the global clothing industry. Because of that, domestic apparel in Japan is actually on a decline, currently at a measly $416 million compared to the U.S. industry sitting at $3.68 billion and China enjoying a tremendous $113 billion clothing industry number.
Does the Land of the Rising Sun care? Maybe not. But wouldn’t you want a taste of the genius fashion Japan has to offer? Buy yourself a plane ticket and head over there. You’ll be enthralled by everything you see.