The production of Japanese brand menswear in North Korea is increasing, reflecting domestic clothing companies' search for low production costs and high quality.
Five apparel makers in Tokyo, Osaka and Gifu prefectures are farming out production to North Korean plants and importing nearly 1 million suits a year, industry sources said.
Aoki International Co., a leading suburban discount store operator, plans to sell 30,000 North Korean-made suits this business year, a sixfold increase from three years earlier.
One apparel maker in Gifu Prefecture ships materials from Osaka to seven state-run plants in North Korea twice a month and imports the finished men's suits at 7,000 yen to 8,000 yen per unit. After pressing, wrapping and factoring other costs, the suits are sold for 19,800 yen to 29,800 yen.