Tokujiro Ishibashi, the company’s founder, opens “Shimaya,” a tailor shop, the predecessor of ASAHI SHOES, LTD., in Kurume City.

Tailor operations wind down and converted to a tabi (Japanese socks) maker business. Sewing machines and cutting machines employed to promote mechanization.

First electric motors introduced. Automobiles used for advertising. A weaving mill and dye factory (a pioneering figure in Kyushu) established to promote integrated production from cotton cloth.

“Wave and morning sun” logo adopted and registered as the representative trademark. Company succeeds in selling a pair of ASAHI Tabi socks at a flat rate of 0.2 yen.

Construction of a new plant in Arai-machi, Kurume City (currently the site of the Kurume Plant).

Sole proprietorship changed to “Nihon Tabi Corporation” in June.

Jika-tabi (Japanese rubber-soled socks with the big toe separated) called a revolution in the history of shoes invented.

Manufacture and sale of athletic shoes launched.

Fukuoka Plant (a plant exclusively for rubber shoes for export) newly constructed.

Export of shoes to the U.S.A., Europe and Africa initiated.

Tire division spun off into “Bridgestone Tire Co., Ltd.”

Corporate name changed to “Japan Rubber Co., Ltd.” in April. “ASAHI Shoes.” establishes position as industry leader.

Taiwan Rubber Co., Ltd. established in Taipei City. “Thailand Rubber Co, Ltd.” established in May.

Pacific War ends. Overseas plants naturally dissolved.

Head office moved from Kurume (the place of foundation) to Tokyo in the hope of further development as a modern corporation in July.
Shoe exports restarted in October.

“ASAHI Light Sole” starts operations blending synthetic rubber with sole rubber in March.

Large flood sweeps over Kurume District and all plants flooded in June.

Fukuoka Plant closed. Operations consolidated at Kurume Plant.

In-house production started with trademark “AP” in the field of leather shoes. From that point, tremendous brand growth.

Xutai Rubber Ltd. established as the Taiwan Plant.

Exclusive contract on domestic production and sales of pro athletic shoes with NIKE trademark concluded with USA NIKE.

Company receives “Good Design Award” sponsored by the Japan Institute of Design Promotion, the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, for sixteen consecutive years.

Exclusive contract on domestic production and sales of products with “BROOKS” trademark concluded with USA Wolverine Worldwide (BROOKS SPORTS. INC. after 2002).

CI introduced to promote modernization of the business and corporate name changed to “ASAHI CORPORATION Co., Ltd.”

NISSHO ASAHI established as Asian base in Taiwan.

“Good Design Long Life Design Award” selected by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry presented for “BROOKS Chariot-L” for the first time in the footwear industry.

Head office moved to Kurume City. Company files for bankruptcy reorganization plan.

“Kaiho Shugi” shoes for the elderly and nursing care developed. Fukuoka Design Award grand prize presented for “Kaiho Shugi.”

Reorganization plan accepted. New “ASAHI CORPORATION Co., Ltd.” started.

Good Design Award sponsored by the Japan Institute of Design Promotion and a special award of the Fukuoka Design Award presented for “Kaiho Shugi.”

Integrated production line operations started. (Water jet cutting machines introduced. Small lot production started.)

Total number of “Kaiho Shugi” shoes reaches one million. Distribution bases consolidated to Tokyo and Kurume.

Brand contract for “Champion” concluded with Japan Sala Lee Co., Ltd. Foot type measurement “Footgrapher” developed through joint development with Kyushu University.”

Total number of “Kaiho Shugi” shoes reaches two million. The world’s first “SHM® function” to prevent knee troubles developed.

“ASAHI Medical Walk” with the world’s first “SHM® function” to prevent knee troubles released.

Special corporate award “Good Business Award” for corporate activities through “Kaiho Shugi” presented by Fukuoka Prefecture and the Fukuoka Design Association.

Excellence award “Technology Award” of the 8th Fukuoka Design Award presented for ASAHI Medical Walk.

“14th Fukuoka Design Award” sponsored by Fukuoka Prefecture and Fukuoka Design Association presented for ASAHI WalkLand. (Also 15th Fukuoka Design Award presented the following year.) ASAHI Caravan specializing in educational activities for foot type measurements and foot health established and visited kindergartens, senior care homes and centers and other facilities in the Kyushu District.

In addition to the Kyushu District in 2012, ASAHI Caravan established in the Osaka and Tokyo Districts to conduct the same activities. Flyer posting activity started. ASAHI style operating activities to support clients started throughout Japan. The mascot character (yuru-kyara) “ASAHI KENKO-KUN” conceived.

Total number of “ASAHI Medical Walk” shoes reaches one million.

Awarded 17th Fukuoka Design Award for “ASAHI KENKO-KUN.” Total number of “Kaiho Shugi” shoes reaches seven million.

“Comprehensive partnership agreement on society contribution” concluded. The brand “ASAHI” launched.

Excellence award of “Fukuoka Design Award” presented for “ASAHI Medical Walk WKL003, WKM002” in 2016.

Reorganization plan under the Corporate Reorganization Act ended in March.

Corporate name changed to "ASAHI SHOES, LTD." in April.