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Japan's Asics to Spin Off Popular Onitsuka Tiger Sneaker Business
The move follows a 43% sales jump in 2025 and aims to speed decisions as the brand expands globally.
- On Wednesday, Japanese sportswear maker Asics announced it will spin off its Onitsuka Tiger business into a wholly owned subsidiary, OT Group, effective Jan 1, 2027, to accelerate decision-making at the 77-year-old brand.
- Surging demand for retro-inspired footwear, including Onitsuka Tiger's iconic Tai-chi sneakers, drove 2025 sales up 43 per cent to 136.5 billion yen, while the business maintained a profit margin of nearly 38 per cent last year.
- Newly appointed OT Group CEO Ryoji Shoda cited management friction over "fashion and sport" approaches as a reason for the split, noting the independence will allow Japan headquarters to manage operations more effectively.
- Shares of Asics rose nearly 2 per cent following the announcement, as Mitsubishi UFJ ESmart Securities strategist Tatsunori Kawai called the spin-off an "ideal move" for fast-growing firms to avoid slow, layered decision-making.
- Asics CEO Yasuhito Hirota confirmed no plans to take OT Group public, while the brand targets continued growth with new flagship stores planned for Los Angeles, Tokyo, Milan and Seoul over the next year.
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Increase in luxury division sales led to four consecutive years of record profit for Asics
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources19
Leaning Left1Leaning Right3Center4Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Center
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources are Center
50% Center
13%
C 50%
R 37%
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