View source for Asics

{{Short description|Japanese athletic equipment company}}
{{For|ASIC|Application-specific integrated circuit}}
{{Infobox company
| name = ASICS Corporation
| native_name = 株式会社アシックス
| romanized_name = Kabushiki gaisha Ashikkusu
| logo = Asics Logo.svg
| image = Headquarters of ASICS Corporation.JPG
| image_caption = World headquarters in [[Kobe, Japan]]
| image_size = 250px
| type = [[Public Company|Public]] ([[Kabushiki gaisha|K.K]])
| traded_as = {{Tyo|7936}}
| industry = [[Sports equipment]], [[textile industry|textile]]
| foundation = {{unbulleted list|{{start date and age|1949|09|1}} (as Onitsuka Tiger)|{{start date and age|1977}} (renamed to Asics)}}
| founder = {{ill|Kihachiro Onitsuka|ja|鬼塚喜八郎}}
| location_city = [[Kobe]]
| location_country = Japan
| area_served = Worldwide
| key_people = [[Motoi Oyama]] ([[Chairman]] and [[CEO]])<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://corp.asics.com/en/investor_relations/management_policy/corporate_governance/compensation-for-officers |title=Compensation For Directors |accessdate=2024-01-10}}</ref>
| locations = ≈&nbsp;1,900 outlet stores worldwide (2017)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ceballos |first=Francelia Rodriguez |date=February 10, 2017 |others=Translated by Barbara Santamaria |title=Asics opens subsidiaries in Chile and Peru |url=https://ww.fashionnetwork.com/news/Asics-opens-subsidiaries-in-chile-and-peru,791553.html |access-date=2023-08-14 |website=Fashion Network}}</ref>
| products = [[Trainers]], [[clothing]]
| revenue = {{gain}} {{JP¥|570.4 billion|link=yes}} (2023)
| operating_income = {{gain}} {{JP¥|54.2 billion}} (2023)
| net_income = {{gain}} {{JP¥|35.2 billion}} (2023)
| assets = 
| equity = 
| num_employees = ≈&nbsp;8,900 (2023)
| parent = 
| brands = [[Onitsuka Tiger]]
| subsid = {{Unbulleted list|
* Race Roster
* [[Runkeeper]]
}}
| homepage = [https://www.asics.com/ asics.com]
| footnotes = <ref name="Integrated Report" />
}}

{{Nihongo|'''ASICS Corporation'''|株式会社アシックス|[[Kabushiki gaisha]] Ashikkusu|lead=yes}}, commonly known as simply '''Asics''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|æ|s|ɪ|k|s}}, {{IPAc-en|ˈ|ɑː|s|ɪ|k|s}}<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKfmjQKQhuA "Move your mind to an amazing place"]<!--at 0:48--></ref> or {{IPAc-en|ˈ|eɪ|s|ɪ|k|s}}), is a Japanese [[multinational corporation]] that produces [[sportswear]]. Asics is best known for its [[sneaker]]s, but also produces other [[footwear]] such as [[sandal]]s, as well as [[clothing]] ([[T-shirt]]s, [[jacket]]s, [[hoodie]]s, [[swimwear]], [[compression garment]]s, [[leggings]], [[sock]]s) and accessories ([[bag]]s, [[backpack]]s, [[cap]]s).

The name is an [[acronym]] for the [[Latin]] phrase ''[[Mens sana in corpore sano|anima sana in corpore sano]]'' (translated by the company as "a sound mind, in a sound body"). It is headquartered in [[Kobe]], Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan.

==History==
{{Main|Onitsuka Tiger}}
[[File:Asics Stripe.jpg|thumb|left|A diagram of the original ''Tiger Stripes'' design for the Mexico 66 model. Originally known as the {{nihongo|''Mexico Line''|メキシコライン|Mekishiko Rain}}, it is used by both Asics and its lifestyle brand, Onitsuka Tiger.]]
Asics began as '''Onitsuka Co., Ltd.''' on September 1, 1949.<ref name="corp">{{Cite web |title=ASICS Corporation Practical Information |url=https://corp.asics.com/en/about_asics/practical_information |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308133833/https://corp.asics.com/en/about_asics/practical_information |archive-date=2022-03-08 |access-date=2023-08-14 |publisher=ASICS}}</ref> Founder {{ill|Kihachiro Onitsuka|ja|鬼塚喜八郎}} began manufacturing basketball shoes in his hometown of Kobe in [[Hyōgo Prefecture]]. The range of sports activities serviced by the company expanded to a variety of Olympic styles used since the 1950s by athletes worldwide. Onitsuka became particularly known for the [[Mexico 66]] design,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ryall|first=Julian|date=2019-11-02|title=Bruce Lee, Uma Thurman and the story of Onitsuka Tiger shoes|url=https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/fashion-beauty/article/3035606/onitsuka-tiger-how-bruce-lee-and-actress-uma-thurman|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191207023622/https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/fashion-beauty/article/3035606/onitsuka-tiger-how-bruce-lee-and-actress-uma-thurman|archive-date=2019-12-07|access-date=2022-06-27|website=[[South China Morning Post]]|language=en}}</ref> in which the distinctive crossed stripes (now synonymous with the company as the ''Tiger Stripes'') were featured for the first time; martial artist [[Bruce Lee]] helped popularize the shoe. Onitsuka Tiger merged with fishing and [[sporting goods]] company GTO and athletic uniform maker Jelenk to form ASICS Corporation in 1977;<ref name="corp" /> Onitsuka was named president of the new company. Despite the name change, a [[Vintage clothing|vintage]] range of Asics shoes are still{{When|date=June 2025}} produced and sold internationally under the Onitsuka Tiger label.<ref name="Company_history">{{Cite book |url=http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/asics-corporation-history/ |title=International Directory of Company Histories |publisher=[[St. James Press]] |others=Jay P. Pederson, Thomson Gale |year=2004 |isbn=978-1-55862-698-0 |volume=57 |location=Detroit, Michigan |pages=52–54 |oclc=769044990 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200224202138/http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/asics-corporation-history/ |archive-date=2020-02-24 |url-status=live |via=Funding Universe}}</ref> In 2015, Asics launched its ''Asics Tiger'' [[lifestyle brand]] to market sportswear inspired by the company's designs of the 1970s to 1990s.<ref name="core77">{{Cite web |title=ASICS Tiger - by Bruce Mau Design / Core77 Design Awards |url=https://designawards.core77.com/home/award_permalink?id=61644&category_id=5 |access-date=2023-04-13 |website=[[Core77]]}}</ref>

Asics bought the Swedish [[Hiking equipment|outdoor]] brand [[Haglöfs]] for {{¥|11.4 billion|link=yes}} ($128.7&nbsp;million) on July 12, 2010.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTOE66B05E20100712|title=Japan's ASICS buys Sweden's Haglofs for $128.7 mln|publisher=Reuters|date=2010-07-12|access-date=2011-05-19|first=Mariko|last=Katsumura|archive-date=2021-06-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210616040207/https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTOE66B05E20100712|url-status=live}}</ref> In February 2016, Asics acquired fitness app [[Runkeeper]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://venturebeat.com/2016/02/12/runkeeper-acquired-by-sports-shoes-giant-asics/|title=RunKeeper acquired by sportswear giant Asics|date=2016-02-12|website=VentureBeat|language=en-US|access-date=2019-07-19}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/02/12/runkeeper-asics/|title=Fitness App Runkeeper To Be Acquired By Running Shoe Maker ASICS|website=TechCrunch|date=12 February 2016|language=en-US|access-date=2019-07-19}}</ref> LionRock Capital Limited acquired a 100% interest in Haglöfs from Asics on December 18, 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-18 |title=LionRock Capital Limited to acquire Haglöfs AB, one of the Nordics leading outdoor performance brands |url=https://www.mynewsdesk.com/haglofs/pressreleases/lionrock-capital-limited-to-acquire-hagloefs-ab-one-of-the-nordics-leading-outdoor-performance-brands-3293675 |access-date=2024-03-08 |website=Mynewsdesk - Haglöfs}}</ref>

{|style="margin: 0 auto;"
| [[File:ASICS Store Inside Boston.jpg|thumb|left|Interior of the Asics store on Newbury Street, in the [[Back Bay]] neighborhood of [[Boston]], [[Massachusetts]]]]
| [[File:HK TKO 將軍澳 Tseung Kwan O PopCorn mall shop asics clothing January 2022 Px3.jpg|thumb|left|An Asics store located in the [[new towns of Hong Kong]]]]
|}

Asics generated {{¥|570.4 billion}} in [[net sales]] and {{¥|35.2 billion}} in net income in fiscal year 2023. 50% of the company's income came from the sale of performance running shoes, 33% from other shoes, 6% from apparel and equipment, and 11% from Onitsuka Tiger. 16% of the company's sales were in Japan, 21% in North America, 27% in Europe, 14% in China and 21% in other regions.<ref name="Integrated Report">{{Cite web |date=2024-07-31 |title=ASICS Integrated Report 2023 |url=https://assets.asics.com/system/libraries/3227/ASICS%20Integrated%20Report%202023.pdf |access-date=July 31, 2024 |publisher=ASICS}}</ref>

In March 2021, Asics launched '''Unoha''' (ウノハ), a brand geared towards women.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-03-09 |title=アシックスからライフスタイルブランドがデビュー、ラウンジウェアなど展開 |url=https://www.fashionsnap.com/article/2021-03-09/unoha/ |access-date=2024-10-13 |website=FASHIONSNAP}}</ref> The brand mainly sells its products online and does not use physical locations other than [[Pop-up retail|temporary pop-ups]] that appear around Japan.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-03-03 |title=アシックスからライフスタイルブランド「ウノハ」誕生、エコな素材を用いた着心地の良いウェアやシューズ |url=https://www.fashion-press.net/news/70538 |access-date=2023-08-21 |website=Fashion Press |language=ja}}</ref> Apart from being a female-focused clothing brand, it also pledged to use [[Organic clothing|organic]] and environmentally-friendly materials in its products. Unoha's first [[brand ambassador]] was [[Harumi Sato]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=株式会社アシックス プレスリリース |url=https://corp.asics.com/jp/press/article/2022-03-15 |access-date=2023-08-21 |publisher=ASICS |language=ja}}</ref> On July 1, 2024, Asics announced that it had discontinued the brand the previous month after only 3 years of existence.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-07-01 |title=アシックスがライフスタイルブランド「ウノハ」の販売終了を発表、立ち上げから約3年 |url=https://www.fashionsnap.com/article/2024-07-01/asics-unoha-close/ |access-date=2024-10-13 |website=FASHIONSNAP}}</ref>

===Relationship with Nike===
{{see also|Nike timeline}}
[[Nike, Inc.]] (originally known as Blue Ribbon Sports) was founded to sell Onitsuka Tiger shoes in the U.S. When [[Phil Knight]] visited Japan in 1963, shortly after graduating from [[Stanford University]], he was impressed by the company's shoes, and immediately visited the Onitsuka Tiger office and asked to be their U.S. sales agent. After a number of years, the relationship crumbled and both companies sued each other, with Nike retaining the naming rights to several shoes.<ref name="shoedog">{{Cite book |last=Knight |first=Philip H. |title=Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike |title-link=Shoe Dog |year=2016 |isbn=978-1-5011-3591-0 |location=New York |oclc=945804148}}</ref>

==Sponsorships==
[[File:Paris-FR-75-open de tennis-2019-Roland Garros-court Chatrier-6 juin-Djokovic-03 2.jpg|thumb|right|Tennis player [[Novak Djokovic]] has been endorsing Asics footwear since the start of the 2018 season]]
Asics sponsors a variety of sports associations, teams and individuals; sponsorships include [[World Athletics]], the [[Los Angeles Marathon]], as well as individual athletes such as volleyball player [[Ran Takahashi]], footballer [[Takehiro Tomiyasu]], and tennis players [[Iga Świątek]], [[Novak Djokovic]], [[Alex de Minaur]] and [[Jasmine Paolini]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=McCullagh |first=Kevin |date=2019-09-27 |title=IAAF extends Asics deal for 10 years, approves name change |url=https://www.sportbusiness.com/news/iaaf-extends-asics-partnership-for-10-years-approves-name-change/ |access-date=2022-07-07 |website=SportBusiness |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Glendinning |first=Matthew |date=2019-04-11 |title=Asics returns to road running with LA Marathon deal |url=https://sponsorship.sportbusiness.com/news/asics-returns-to-road-running-with-la-marathon-deal/ |access-date=2022-07-07 |website=SportBusiness Sponsorship |language=en-GB}}</ref> The company announced on October 4, 2011, that it would be the new official kit manufacturer for the [[Australia national cricket team]], replacing German manufacturer [[Adidas]].<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/asics_partner_with_cricket_australia/|title = ASICS partner with Cricket Australia – Sports Sponsorship news – Cricket Oceania|publisher = SportsPro Media|date = 2011-11-04|access-date = 2012-06-11|last = Emmett|first = James|archive-date = 2011-10-05|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111005195927/http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/asics_partner_with_cricket_australia/|url-status = live}}</ref> Asics is also the official sportswear partner of the [[Japanese Olympic Committee]].

==Working conditions==
In March 2017, employees assembling Asics products in [[Cambodia]] fainted due to thick smoke present in the factory where they were working. The company responded to this by saying that it, along with the factory in question, would "address specific measures, with a focus on workers' awareness and health and safety training, as well as including an improved air ventilation system".<ref>{{Cite web|last=McVeigh|first=Karen|date=2017-06-24|title=Cambodian female workers in Nike, Asics and Puma factories suffer mass faintings|url=http://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/jun/25/female-cambodian-garment-workers-mass-fainting|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605015707/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/jun/25/female-cambodian-garment-workers-mass-fainting|archive-date=2022-06-05|access-date=2022-06-27|website=[[The Guardian]]|language=en}}</ref>

In March 2021, while several [[Western world|Western]] clothing brands expressed concern over allegations of [[Xinjiang internment camps|forced Uyghur labor]] involved in [[Xinjiang]] cotton production, Asics also announced that the [[Australian Olympic team]] uniform would not contain cotton sourced from Xinjiang.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ASICS head office clarifies that earlier post on sourcing Xinjiang cotton was unauthorised |url=https://www.business-humanrights.org/en/latest-news/australian-olympic-uniform-supplier-asics-social-media-post-says-the-company-will-continue-to-buy-cotton-from-xinjiang-asics-head-office-denies-post-as-unauthorised/ |access-date=2023-12-01 |website=Business & Human Rights Resource Centre |language=en}}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery widths="150" heights="150">
File:Asics brand logo (1977–2003).svg|alt=The Asics logo from 1977 to 2006.|The Asics logo from 1977 to 2006. The typeface, designed by [[Herb Lubalin]], is still used for the ''Asics Tiger'' line.<ref name="core77" />
File:Asics wrestling shoes.jpg|A pair of Asics [[wrestling]] shoes, model ''Split Second V''
File:Kinsei.jpg|A pair of Asics [[running shoes]], model ''GEL-Kinsei''
File:Asics Gel-Pulse 11.jpg|A pair of Asics running shoes, model ''Gel-Pulse 11''
File:Asics Gel-Cumulus 22.jpg|Asics ''Gel-Cumulus 22'', men's running shoes
File:ASICS Gel-Kayano 26 (womens).jpg|Asics ''Gel-Kayano 26'', women's running shoes
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|ASICS}}
* {{Official website}}

{{Asics}}
{{Sports equipment brands}}
{{Running Shoe Brands}}
{{Competitive swimwear}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Asics| ]]
[[Category:Athletic shoe brands]]
[[Category:Japanese brands]]
[[Category:Clothing companies established in 1949]]
[[Category:Multinational companies headquartered in Japan]]
[[Category:Manufacturing companies based in Kobe]]
[[Category:Shoe brands]]
[[Category:Shoe companies of Japan]]
[[Category:Sporting goods brands]]
[[Category:Sporting goods manufacturers of Japan]]
[[Category:Sportswear brands]]
[[Category:Swimwear manufacturers]]
[[Category:1949 establishments in Japan]]
[[Category:Companies listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange]]
[[Category:Clothing brands of Japan]]