News room

ITOKI CORPORATION (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Koji Minato) will completely renew the factory uniforms at its production bases in Kanto (1st Kanto Plant, 2nd Kanto Plant, Shiga Plant, and Kyoto Plant), and will introduce them sequentially starting in May 2026.

This renewal aims to reduce the burden on workers by improving both the air conditioning environment and clothing, in preparation for the extremely hot days that the Japan Meteorological Agency has newly designated as "extreme heat." Furthermore, with the goal of creating an environment where diverse personnel can work with peace of mind, the project was launched and implemented by the employees themselves. The clothing has been redesigned as "work clothes" that pursue comfort, safety, and ease of work.

In recent years, with the increasing number of extremely hot days described by the Japan Meteorological Agency, the importance of heat countermeasures through clothing has grown in addition to improving the working environment through air conditioning and vinyl curtains in manufacturing sites. At Itoki, while maintaining the premise of creating an air-conditioned environment, we have begun reviewing our uniforms to further reduce the burden of work during the summer months.

Furthermore, with the worsening labor shortage, it is becoming increasingly important to create an environment where diverse talent, including women, young people, and foreign nationals, can work with peace of mind. At Itoki's production bases, a diverse range of talent, including graduates of Hanoi University of Science and Technology, are active, and this renovation was carried out with the aim of "creating a more comfortable working environment."

The design was finalized based on feedback from employees on the production floor, who took the lead in trying on the products and providing reviews. This process involved internal submissions and company-wide voting to ensure that the final design reflected the voices of those on the ground.

• Heat countermeasures: Reduce the burden of work in the summer with cooling materials, short sleeves, and air-conditioned clothing.
By using a cooling material that provides a cooling effect through evaporative cooling, we have aimed to reduce the burden of work during the summer months. The fabric is less likely to stick to the skin even when sweating, and breathability has also been considered, contributing to creating a more comfortable environment even on hot days.
In addition, arm covers have been introduced to protect the arms along with the short-sleeved polo shirts. The arm covers have both cooling and cut-resistant properties, achieving both work efficiency and safety.
Furthermore, we have prepared air-conditioned workwear equipped with fans and pockets for storing ice packs to provide an even greater cooling effect. Through these measures, we aim to reduce the burden of work on hot days while also ensuring safety.

• Diversity: Unisex design and two color options make it easier for diverse individuals to work.
Aiming to create an environment where diverse individuals can work with peace of mind, we have adopted a unisex design. We have incorporated a female perspective into the design, paying attention to specific actions in the workplace, such as the sense of security when bending down.
Furthermore, the design accommodates differences in body size, making it easy for anyone to move in. The availability of two colors, black and camel, allows for individual preference, representing a departure from conventional, uniform workwear.

• Improved workability and functionality: Improved workability by reflecting ease of movement and on-site needs.
We offer a lineup of long-sleeved blousons and short-sleeved polo shirts, allowing you to choose the appropriate attire for your work environment and purpose. The material combines stretchability and durability, and the cut is designed with work movements in mind, ensuring smooth movement when squatting or lifting.
Furthermore, it incorporates features that reflect on-site needs, such as a pocket for storing a tablet device and a pen holder that can be used on either the left or right side, contributing to improved efficiency in daily work.

Factory renovation: Aiming to create a "factory where people want to work," balancing increased productivity with a comfortable working environment.
At Itoki, we are undertaking spatial renovations at our Shiga Plant and Kanto No. 1 Plant with the aim of improving the work environment and revitalizing communication. We are redesigning the factories as “Work Environment” to achieve both increased productivity and a comfortable working environment.

Itoki renovates its chair factory in Omihachiman, Shiga Prefecture, transforming it into "ITOKI DESIGN HOUSE SHIGA," a place where people and development can thrive.
https://www.itoki.jp/company/news/2026/0123_itokidesignhouseshiga/
Towards a "factory where people want to work": Itoki Kanto Factory undergoes major renovation of its office area.
https://www.itoki.jp/company/news/2025/0911_kantofactory/

• Chiekuri Improvement Conference: To share and recognize creative ideas from the workplace and foster a culture of improvement.
To promote creativity and ingenuity on the production line, we hold a "Chiekuri Improvement Conference." By actively incorporating improvement suggestions from the factory floor and sharing ingenuity and knowledge gained from daily work throughout the company, we foster a culture of continuous improvement.

- Communication through company newsletters: Shining a light on each individual working at the factory and conveying the appeal of the workplace.
We publish an internal newsletter that focuses on each individual working at our factory, conveying the value and appeal of those working on the front lines both inside and outside the company. By making visible the contributions of employees with diverse backgrounds, we aim to promote understanding of the work environment and foster empathy.

This uniform redesign is positioned as an extension of these efforts. We will continue to work on work style reforms based on feedback from the field, further promoting preparations for extremely hot days and creating an environment where diverse talent can thrive.