“The Asics Sustainability Vision was created to inspire more people to move mind and body to create a stronger world”, commented Motoi Oyama, Chairman and CEO of ASICS Corporation, adding: “Our company was founded with the strong belief that sport can shape better, healthier societies. We still live up to this purpose and aim to lead on sustainability both for our planet as well as people.”

Asics is committed to continuously improving the efficiency of its workspaces, resource use and distribution network. In 2018, ASICS set targets to reduce CO2 emissions at its facilities by 33%*, and reduce supply chain CO2 emissions by 55% per product* by 2030 (*against 2015 emissions).

Actions to achieve these targets include increasing the use of renewable energy at business facilities to 60% or above, reducing energy use in Tier 1 supplier factories by 30% per product, and transitioning to 100% recycled polyester in shoe uppers and sportswear. Asics emissions reduction targets have been approved by the Science Based Targets initiative as scientifically in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement, the first for a global sporting goods company.

In 2018, Asics surpassed its CO2 emissions reduction targets for 2020 two years earlier than initially planned. After initially targeting a 5% reduction in CO2 emissions at facilities, the total amount decreased 19.2%, while a planned 10% reduction in CO2 emissions per pair shoes was actually reduced to 15.9%.

In 2018, Asics also prepared to introduce post-consumer recycling programs in the US, Europe and Japan .In Japan, Asics launched the Asics Reborn Wear Project on January 2019, a project to offer a way to cheer for Japan Team at the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 by gathering sportswear rich with memories from people across the country and giving it new life as Tokyo 2020 Japan Team official wear.

The company also became the first Japanese brand to join the Leather Working Group in 2018, a multi-stakeholder group devoted to environmental stewardship in the leather industry.

Asics states its committment to help people improve their physical fitness and mental health, building transparent, fair and ethical partnerships to empower people across the value chain, and supporting employees and communities to fulfill their potential.

In 2018, ASICS invested over 550 000 US dollars in community contributions and donations in kind to worthy causes around the world. As part of this, Asics became a global charity partner for Right To Play, an organization that uses the transformative power of sport to educate and empower children facing adversity around the world.

To further contribute to a healthy and inclusive society, Asics has become the official supplier of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). Through 2020, Asics will provide kits to officials and some athletes taking part in international Paralympic sports championships, as well as IPC officials at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo.

As a manufacturer, Asics is aware that the manufacturing industry depends on large numbers of migrant workers around the world, who are particularly vulnerable to human rights abuses. To help prevent the exploitation of workers in the manufacturing industry, Asics has joined over 120 other brands as signatories of the Commitment to Responsible Recruitment, an industry-wide approach to responsible recruitment and ethical employment practices for all workers.