Japan

Climate resilience, productivity and workplace safety are being advanced across Ethiopia's leather, textile and garment sector through a new ILO-Japan joint initiative. The one-year programme targets 40 factories across five cities, integrating Japanese expertise, digitalised safety tools and a women's leadership development programme to drive sustainable and inclusive industrial growth.

A study from the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology has mapped how Bashofu artisans transform banana fibres into soft, durable fabrics. Using imaging and tensile testing, researchers show that age-specific fibre selection and layered processing create breathable, moisture-diffusing textiles, linking centuries-old craft intuition to contemporary materials science and sustainability research.

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have found that a specific combination of consumer segments, product characteristics, and service types make for a sustainable clothing rental service and that certain garment types could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 21% ~ 75% depending on consumer behaviour and service implementation.
 

Researchers from Japan’s University of Fukui have optimised a decolorisation process which effectively penetrates fabric fibres to remove the dyes with minimal environmental impact. The extracted dyes can be reused, and the fabrics be redyed.

Researchers in Japan have developed a method for the depolymerisation of PET that can be applied to selective chemical recycling of both textile and plastic waste mixtures, offering a promising solution for achieving a circular economy.

Japan-based fastening company YKK is focused on growth with a sharp eye on its target set for carbon neutrality by 2050. A company spokesperson engages with texfash to highlight the steps it is taking towards this goal.

Biomimetics has helped researchers in Japan to create a device that spins artificial spider silk that closely matches natural spider silk which is biodegradable and ideal for biomedical applications, such as sutures and artificial ligaments.

The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is enlarging its ongoing Controlled Supply Chain Scheme Pilot Project that was strategically developed to overcome the obstacles that often deter small-scale operators from pursuing its certification.

In a unique concept aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of the air traveller and promote circular economy, Japan Airlines (JAL) along with the Sumitomo Corporation has launched a trial "Any Wear, Anywhere" clothing sharing service for foreign tourists and business travellers.

As part of its measures to reduce GHG emissions, fastener company YKK is increasing the use of electricity from renewable energy, and as of FY2022, 31 of its locations worldwide have completed the changeover with electricity being purchased from renewable energy sources.