THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE ROLE OF SHŌSHA AS INTERMEDIARIES IN JAPAN’S FASHION INDUSTRY

Abstract

The shōsha (multi-activity trading houses) served as mediators between European and Japanese companies in the development of the fashion industry in Japan after WWII. Their role in Japan and around the world has continued to evolve, from upstream downstream, the importation of technologies and the purchase of rights to reproduction in the acquisition of participations in the capital of companies, of the acquisition of reputable brands to the organization of low-cost manufacturing wages in Asia. They have reconverted or expanded their know-how as that the clientele changed.