There is Chinese yarn in 'Made in Japan' socks. ― Looking at things from the production area ―

Hello!
I am Akuru, and I run the sock workshop Toré.

Until now, I have worked on the front lines of major apparel OEM, producing millions of pairs of socks together with factories in China.
In this note, based on that experience, I am writing about the mechanisms of socks, which are not usually given much thought, as clearly as possible.

Socks are a very modest existence, but they are actually a quite profound world where the body, industry, and culture intersect.

Today, I would like to delve into the term“Made in Japan”.

When choosing socks, I think many people use the label“Made in Japan”as a guide.

There are various reasons, such as trust in quality, but I believe the “Made in Japan” label serves as a basis for judgment.

I was the same before I entered this industry.

However, after being involved in the manufacturing field for a long time, I learned that the meaning of this term is a little different from what I had thought.

The mechanism of origin labeling

First, I will organize a little bit about the rules that determine the label“Made in Japan”.

For the country of origin labeling of textile products, it is important where the“process that brings about a substantial change in the content of the product”was performed.

For clothing, the country of sewing is generally considered the country of origin, but for knitted goods like socks and sweaters, thecountry where the knitting was performedis considered the country of origin.

In other words, even if yarn made overseas, such as in China, is used, if the knitting is performed at a Japanese factory, it is labeled as“Made in Japan”as the country of origin.

This is not a violation of the rules.
Rather, it is a label that follows the current labeling rules.

However, it does not necessarily match the expectation that many consumers put into the term “Made in Japan”—that the raw materials, yarn, and knitting are all Japanese.

Raw materials for socks rely almost entirely on imports

When considering the raw materials for the main yarn used in socks, this structure becomes even clearer.

Cotton is produced in India, the United States, and elsewhere.
The raw materials for nylon and polyester are petroleum-derived, and much of the refining and processing is done in the Asian region.
If it is wool, Australia and New Zealand are the main production areas.

Textiles that can be produced consistently from raw materials within Japan are very limited.

Even for socks labeled 'Made in Japan,' it is extremely rare for the yarn to have originated from Japanese soil.

This is true not only for socks but for textile products in general.

A story from the bedding industry

While it deviates slightly from the topic of socks, there is a scene that has stayed in my mind whenever I think about origin labeling.

It is a story involving a certain bedding manufacturing site.

In the industry, there are cases where products made overseas are tagged or undergo simple processing domestically to make them appear as 'Made in Japan.'

However, if you read the rules on country of origin accurately, attaching labels or tags is not considered a 'substantial transformation.'

In other words, the original concept is that this alone does not provide grounds for claiming 'Made in Japan.'

Misleading labeling for consumers carries the risk of being considered deceptive labeling under the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations, and this has long been discussed as a problem in the industry.

While this does not apply directly to the world of socks, this story remains a benchmark when considering what 'origin labeling' actually guarantees.

So, what should we believe?

Let's pause here and think for a moment.

Origin labeling indicates 'where the main processing took place.'

It does not guarantee the quality itself. The reverse is also true.

It is not a matter of 'it is low quality because it is made overseas.'

Among the Chinese factories I have been involved with for a long time, there are some that possess extremely high technical skills.

Even with socks of the same design, the finish changes depending on the skill of the factory.

I have seen such scenes many times.

Origin and quality are not the same thing.

When you want to choose 'truly Made in Japan'.

By the way, for those who are particular about the place of origin, I will add one thing.

For textile products, there is a certification system called J∞QUALITY. It is a certification given to products for which the main production processes, such as 'weaving/knitting,' 'dyeing and finishing,' and 'sewing,' were carried out in Japan.

It serves as a guide that makes it easier to confirm the transparency of the process than the standard 'Made in Japan' label.

However, it is not a system that implies that the raw materials themselves are also from Japan.

It might be good to keep in mind as one clue when choosing based on the place of origin.

Look at the product, not just the origin.

So, in the end, what should you use as a standard? What I think is,
'look at the product'.

The composition of the material, the density of the knit, the finish of the sewing, the feeling when worn.
Check those things one by one.

At first, you might not really know the difference.

But if you try various things, compare how they feel, and gain experience while making mistakes, your own standards will gradually grow.

The feeling that 'this comfort is good' or 'this material suits my feet' is something that your own body will teach you, not the origin label.

I want you to cherish that feeling.

Finally.

The term 'Made in Japan' is not a lie.
It is a label that follows the rules.

However, what that word guarantees and what it does not guarantee.
If you know a little about that, your way of choosing might change.

It is not a story that everything domestic is good and everything overseas is inferior.
Decide by the product, not by the origin.

For that purpose, please try wearing many different ones.
Socks are something you wear every day. You have the opportunity to try them every morning.

Thank you for reading until the end.

Even though socks are something we wear every day, they are also tools whose construction is surprisingly little known.

At the sock workshop Toré, we will continue to design with the theme of 'socks that are not flashy but can be worn every day'.

Click here for the Toré EC site ↓↓