Japan Sees Surge in Low-Cost Recovery Wear

Feb 19, 2026 | News On Japan

TOKYO - Major retail chains, including large supermarkets and home goods retailers, are rapidly entering the fast-growing market for so-called recovery wear, apparel promoted as helping to ease fatigue while being worn, as companies outside the traditional fashion industry seek new business opportunities in the expanding health and wellness sector.

Aeon, one of Japan’s largest supermarket operators, is among the latest to begin selling such products under the slogan of “wearable fatigue recovery,” with garments made from thin, smooth fabric designed for comfort.

According to the company, minerals are blended into the material, and the resulting far-infrared effect is said to promote blood circulation and support recovery from fatigue.

Aeon had previously entered the recovery wear market in 2018 when the products were classified as general medical devices, but later halted sales after regulatory standards changed. The retailer is now making a renewed push into the sector.

Junko Odajima, head of the apparel division at Aeon Retail, said: “General apparel, especially in the casual segment, faces intense competition and is trending downward. The growth area customers are seeking going forward will be health and wellness.”

Recovery wear, which has attracted attention and was nominated for last year’s buzzword awards, is expected to see rapid market expansion amid rising health consciousness. Some forecasts suggest the market could grow to about 170 billion yen by 2030, nearly nine times its size in 2024.

However, consumers remain sensitive to price.

“If it’s loungewear, it would be great if I could buy it for around 3,000 yen. I want to keep costs down as much as possible,” one shopper said. Another added, “I’m interested if it really helps recovery, because I do feel tired.” Others commented that such items seem expensive, with some expecting prices of around 10,000 yen, while one person said they would consider buying if fatigue relief were available for about 3,500 yen.

Retail chains are now attempting to capitalize on that perception by offering lower-priced options. Workman entered the recovery wear market last autumn, and Nitori followed this month, both promoting more affordable products.

In an increasingly busy and exhausting modern society, demand for recovery and relaxation continues to grow, raising the question of whether recovery wear will become more accessible to everyday consumers.

Source: TBS

Typhoons No. 28 and 29 Bring High Waves to Japan's Pacific Coast

Two typhoons moving across the Pacific southeast of Japan are expected to remain well away from the Japanese mainland, but powerful swells could bring rough seas to a wide stretch of the country's Pacific coastline throughout the three-day holiday weekend, according to forecasts updated at 3 a.m. on October 10.

Cyberattacks Spread Across Japan

A series of cyberattacks has disrupted business operations and exposed millions of customer records across Japan, with a ransomware attack on a cloud service provider affecting 495 companies and local governments nationwide, while convenience store operator Lawson has disclosed a separate breach involving more than 2.15 million personal information records.

Japan's First 360-Degree Projection Mapping Opens in Osaka

Japan's first 360-degree projection mapping show will open at the Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts on October 10, transforming the historic building into an immersive world of light, music, and seasonal imagery, with organizers hoping the attraction will also help stimulate the city's nighttime economy.

Tokyo University Professor Wins Nobel Prize in Chemistry

Tokyo University of Science professor emeritus Kenzo Soai has been awarded this year's Nobel Prize in Chemistry together with French chemist Henri B. Kagan for discoveries that transformed scientists' understanding of how chemical reactions can favor one of two mirror-image forms of a molecule.

US Military Halts All Okinawa Operations for 48 Hours

The US military suspended activities by all forces stationed in Okinawa for 48 hours from noon on October 7, an unusual measure following the arrest of a US Marine in connection with a robbery and murder case that has renewed scrutiny of crimes involving American service members.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Business NEWS

Nikkei Tumbles As AI Rally Reverses

Tokyo stocks fell sharply on June 26 as investors locked in profits from Japan’s record-setting AI-driven rally, with SoftBank Group and chip-related shares leading a broad retreat after reports that OpenAI may delay its initial public offering.

Japan's August Current Account Surplus Exceeds 4 Trillion Yen, Up 12%

Japan recorded a current account surplus of 4.062 trillion yen in August, an increase of 12% from a year earlier, driven primarily by a sharp rise in income from overseas investments, even as higher crude oil prices pushed the country's trade balance into deficit.

Japan's Household Spending Falls 3.1% in August, Ninth Straight Monthly Decline

Household spending in Japan fell 3.1% in August from a year earlier, marking the ninth consecutive month of decline as rising food prices continued to weigh on consumer budgets, according to the latest household expenditure survey released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications on October 9.

Nikkei Stalls Near 67,000 as Oil and Yen Risks Offset Financial Gains

Tokyo stocks ended nearly unchanged on August 12, with the Nikkei 225 at 66,988.82, as gains in energy and financial shares offset weakness in electronics and pharmaceuticals while investors weighed higher crude oil prices, a weaker yen and growing expectations for another Bank of Japan rate increase.

Cyberattacks on Japanese Companies Expose Structural Weaknesses

Japan is entering a more difficult phase in its cybersecurity challenge, as a succession of major data breaches and ransomware attacks exposes weaknesses not only in corporate IT systems but also in supplier networks, governance structures and operational resilience.

Japan Beer Giants Raided Over Suspected Price-Fixing Cartel

Japan's four largest beer makers were subjected to simultaneous compulsory searches on October 7 over suspicions they coordinated wholesale prices for beer and other alcoholic beverages, in a rare cartel investigation that could lead to criminal charges.

Nikkei Falls as Profit-Taking Hits AI and Chip Shares

Tokyo stocks fell on October 7, with the Nikkei 225 closing at 70,036, down 648 points, as investors took profits in semiconductor and artificial intelligence-related shares after the index’s rapid climb above 70,000 earlier in the week.

How Japan Is Learning to Live With Years of Rising Prices

Japan's prolonged period of rising prices is continuing to squeeze households and businesses, driven by the weak yen, higher raw material costs and rising wages, forcing consumers to change how they shop and cook while companies search for ways to contain costs without losing customers.

< 2 3 4 5 >