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2025/11/10
Product Press Release

ITOKI to release "SHIGA," a modern work chair with minimalist design and ergonomics, in December 2025

~ Quietly standing and supplely supporting. The second work chair from product designer Fumie Shibata and ITOKI ~

ITOKI CORPORATION (Head office: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Koji Minato) will release "SHIGA," a modern work chair featuring a neat, minimalist design that brings tranquility to the space and ergonomics that are close to the human body, for corporate and individual use starting in December 2025.

SHIGA Official Website: https://www.itoki.jp/special/shiga

Development background

As work styles have become more diverse and liberalized, and technological advances have dramatically changed social norms and people's values regarding workplaces, the value of the office is being reassessed precisely because we can now work from anywhere.

The inspiration that comes from designed spaces, functional furniture that allows people to spend long periods of time comfortably, and spaces that naturally connect people. Itoki observed these changes and felt the need for a chair that combines beauty and comfort, incorporating an ergonomic mechanism that allows comfortable sitting even for long periods of time within a minimalist form, which led to the development of this chair.

DESIGN|A beautiful structural design that lets light and air pass through

1) The gently separated back and seat create a light impression
The chair reduces the sense of bulkiness felt in conventional task chairs and creates a slight gap between the back and seat, creating a sense of openness that allows light and air to pass through. This creates a light and airy impression in the space without creating a feeling of oppression.

2) A continuous spine line
There are two types of backrests: "double" and "triple."
The dividing line on the backrest creates a sense of unity within the series, and when they are lined up together, the continuous horizontal line creates a spacious and orderly impression.

3) A form that exudes the tranquility of furniture
It stands out from the ergonomic forms common in conventional office chairs, incorporating ergonomic three-dimensional curves within a simple square silhouette. Its design "enhances the user's figure without asserting its presence" - it combines a noiseless form with high comfort that gently supports the body.

COMFORT|Reliable functionality that creates a comfortable feeling

1) Ergonomic locking mechanism mounted in an extremely thin gearbox
The SHIGA's comfort is supported by the extremely thin radio box located under the seat. Radio boxes tend to become larger as they become more multifunctional, but we have narrowed it down to just the essentials, achieving both a minimalist design and ergonomic rocking mechanism.

The rocking mechanism uses "Ankle Move Synchro Rocking," which is used in most of ITOKI's task chairs. The back and seat tilt in unison, with the ankle as the fulcrum, and when leaning back, the entire seat slides backward and downward, flexibly supporting natural changes in posture. This allows for a stable and comfortable sitting position while following the movement of the body (up to 15 degrees).

Furthermore, we pursued a noiseless finish with no visible screws on the back of the radio box. This structure, which has been refined to the utmost with only the essential functions, creates the quiet appearance and flexibility of the SHIGA.



Ultra-thin radio box stored under the seat


"Ankle Move Synchro Rocking" - the back and seat tilt in unison, with the ankle as the fulcrum


2) Operation lever with consideration for accessibility
The single operating lever under the seat allows for simple adjustments to the height and backrest position. The initial angle of the backrest can be fixed with the push button at the end of the lever, and on the height-adjustable leg type, the seat height can be adjusted by rotating the bladed lever (90mm range).

3) Armrests that blend in with the interior
The armrests are made of aluminum, giving them a refined appearance and a luxurious feel. The adjustable armrests can be adjusted to your preferred height by pressing the button on the front of the armrest (80mm range).

FLEXIBILITY|Approximately 500 variations to suit any space

SHIGA's design fits a wide range of settings, from offices to living spaces.
In addition to seven types of body specifications, the chair is available with original fabrics that can be chosen from eight sophisticated solid colors or seven light two-tone colors. The lineup also offers a wide variety of variations, including fabrics from Kvadrat, a leading Nordic textile brand, in three colors, and genuine leather with a high-quality feel in two colors.
The frame is available in seven finishes: satin paint (3 colors), aluminum mirror, and gloss paint (3 colors), resulting in approximately 500 possible combinations.

In the office, it blends naturally into the space where wooden fixtures and fabric materials are mixed, creating a consistent aesthetic across zones such as work areas, meeting areas, and lounges.

At home, on the other hand, it blends in with the interior of your living room or study, functioning as a chair to support your work hours without disrupting the home atmosphere.

The texture of the material and the high-quality, subdued coloring harmonize to create a comfortable chair that you will find "comfortable" even when sitting on it every day.

JAPAN-MADE | The crystallization of knowledge from the Shiga factory, where technology and craftsmanship live on

The name "SHIGA" comes from Omihachiman City, Shiga Prefecture, where our manufacturing base is located.
The ITOKI Shiga Factory, located in the same area, is an important place where high quality control utilizing technology and reliable craftsmanship that continues to pursue technological improvement are alive and well.
The design and production techniques we have cultivated over many years have enabled us to achieve both minimalist design and functionality, including the compact under-seat area that is a feature of "SHIGA." The support pillars connecting the back and seat are also light, while the chair is strong and safe enough to be used comfortably for long periods of time. We have also achieved a wide variety of variations thanks to our production experience and challenges.
"SHIGA" is a product that brings together all of ITOKI's manufacturing expertise.

Fumie Shibata

Representative of Design Studio S. After graduating from the Department of Industrial, Interior and Craft Design at Musashino Art University, he worked for a major home appliance manufacturer before founding Design Studio S. He is currently working on projects with domestic and international manufacturers, ranging from electronics products to everyday items, medical equipment, and the total direction of hotels. His awards include the iF Gold Award (Germany), red dot design award, Mainichi Design Award, G Mark Gold Award, and the Design for Asia Grand Prize, Special Cultural Award, and Gold Award. He is a professor at Musashino Art University and served as chairman of the Good Design Award judging committee for 2018-2019.
His book is "Another Shape Within One Shape."

Gallery

You can try it out at ITOKI's showroom "ZA SALON TOKYO" from November 13th.

You can actually experience a variety of our products, including this product "SHIGA" and the popular "vertebra03" series created by the same designer, at ITOKI's showroom, "ZA SALON TOKYO." At "ZA SALON TOKYO," you can experience the comfort and functionality of the chairs and try out a variety of office chairs to find the chair that's perfect for you.
To make a reservation at ZA SALON, please click here: https://www.itoki.jp/consumer/showroom/zasalon/

Opening hours 10:00-17:00 (Advance reservations required)
Regular holiday Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays, summer holidays, New Year's holidays (subject to change. Please check the website.)
location 3-7-1 Kyobashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo Sogokan 110 Tower 3rd Floor
1 minute walk from Kyobashi Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line / 2 minutes walk from Takaracho Station on the Toei Asakusa Line

Product Summary

product name SHIGA
release date December 2025
price double/double/p: from 133,430 yen (tax included)
triple: from 145,750 yen (tax included)
size double:W635×D530 ×H780 ~870(SH415 ~505 )
double/p:W635×D530 ×H920 ~1010(SH465)
triple:W635×D565 ×H920 ~1010(SH415 ~505 )
Color variations Body color: 7 colors
Back and seat upholstery color: 20 colors in total (3 types)
Main features Ankle Move Synchro Locking
Fixed backrest angle (initial position)
Where to buy

ITOKI Online Shop
URL: https://shop.itoki.jp/shop/pages/shiga.aspx

Rakuten Market Store
URL: https://item.rakuten.co.jp/soho-st/c/0000001647/

Yahoo! Shopping Store
URL: https://store.shopping.yahoo.co.jp/soho-st/shigaa5b7a.html

About Itoki's Workplace Business

ITOKI CORPORATION was founded in 1890. With the mission statement of "We Design Tomorrow. We Design WORK-Style." the company supports the creation of a variety of "spaces," "environments," and "places" by leveraging its strengths of "Tech x Design based on PEOPLE," including the manufacture and sale of office furniture, office space design, “Space," “Environment," and “Place" consulting, and office data analysis services, as well as furniture for working from home and studying at home, and equipment for public facilities and logistics facilities.


As hybrid work becomes more common and places and ways of working become more diverse, we are developing spatial digital transformation to enhance productivity and creativity, as well as consulting services to support optimal office operations. We are also proactively collaborating with external designers and partner companies to propose new work styles and workplaces for the future.

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ITOKI CORPORATION

Product Development Headquarters

press personnel
Contact information

ITOKI CORPORATION
Corporate Communications Division
Public Relations Division
TEL:03-6910-3910

  • The information posted is current at the time of publication. Please note that the information may differ from the latest information.