Activity Reports

THAI Fashion & Textile Business Matching Tokyo 2024

2024/09/25

The ASEAN-Japan Centre (AJC), in collaboration with the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), Ministry of Commerce of Thailand, co-organized the “THAI Fashion & Textile Business Matching Tokyo 2024” on 29-30 August 2024 in Ebisu, Tokyo. Exhibited under the theme of “Craft and Sustainability”, the event was a vibrant showcase of high-quality Thai fashion and textile products from 40 Thai SMEs, ranging from fibres, fabrics, apparel, bags and footwear. The event attracted over 270 Japanese importers and buyers in the fashion and textile industry, leading to 213 business negotiations during two days. Another highlight of this event was a seminar participated by both Thai and Japanese experts, with an aim to raise awareness and image of Thai fashion and textiles among Japanese buyers and consumers as “products with beauty, diversity and sustainability”, and how Thai entrepreneurs can leverage their unique strength in fashion crafts to expand the Japanese market in a sustainable manner by aligning with Japanese market trends and consumer demands.

Key Takeaways:

Clothing is an essential part of our daily lives. However, while making wearers enjoy the latest fashion trends with cheap prices following the boom of Fast Fashion, it also poses a negative impact on our natural resources and environment resulting from the mass production and consumption.
In Japan, the trend of “Sustainable Fashion” that takes environment into consideration is now gaining more popularity especially among young people who tend to choose sustainable fashion items that uses environmentally friendly and recyclable materials.
In the future, Sustainable Fashion or Eco Fashion will be an important issue and strategy for the fashion and apparel industry all over the world including Japan.
Thailand is one of the countries that are at the forefront of fashion and apparel industry. Thai fashion entrepreneurs have the potentials to respond to the recent trend and demands of sustainable fashion in Japan, particularly in the use of eco-friendly materials such as hemp, banana, pineapple, etc., and traditional weaving methods. They are proving that fashion can be both ethical and elegant and are creating products that are not only beautiful but also sustainable.

Way Forward:

The ASEAN-Japan Centre will continue its collaboration with the DITP, organizing joint activities aimed at raising more awareness and promoting Thai fashion and textile products in the Japanese market in a sustainable and long-term manner.