Sabae is a “mecca of eyeglass production” and is in the limelight of the world as a “holy land of eyeglasses. Based on its outstanding craftsmanship, Sabae is proud to have made great strides as a Japanese city, such as “entering the Tokyo Girls Collection,” “sponsoring the Best Dresser Award for eyeglasses,” “actively participating in overseas trade fairs,” “the emergence of Japanese eyeglass designers who have won international design awards,” and “the spread of the Sabae brand throughout the world. The “Sabae Eyeglasses” exhibition is a great success. In this issue, we will take a closer look at the fascination of Sabae eyeglasses by introducing “the surprising origin of Sabae eyeglasses,” “the history of Sabae’s development,” “the shift in strategy that led to a V-shaped recovery,” and ” places where you can experience Sabae eyeglasses.
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A look at Sabae, a major eyeglass production center, from a numerical perspective
Sabae eyeglass frames dominate the domestic market with a 95% share. Even amidst the growing popularity of low-priced eyeglasses, Sabae boasts an impressive 20% share of the global market. The number of employees in the eyeglass industry is 5,308. One out of every six workers in Sabae is engaged in the eyeglass industry,” “shipments amount to 76.1 billion yen,” and “531 eyeglass-related establishments. (*Quotes from the 2008 Industrial Statistics Survey of Sabae City) The photo shows ” Megane Kaikan “, a famous symbolic tower of Sabae.
Sabae’s eyeglass industry started as a ” side job during the off-season
The city’s eyeglass industry was founded in 1905 by Gozaemon Masunaga, the “founder of domestic eyeglass production, “ with the vision that “eyeglasses would become a necessity in the near future. It is said that the company started with the foresight that “eyeglasses would become a necessity in the near future. However, unlike today, Sabae had no other industry than agriculture, and there were no eyeglass makers in the area. The industry gradually developed into an industry, with craftsmen from Osaka and Tokyo, where eyeglass production was thriving, being invited to Sabae to work as apprentices, and young Sabae residents being trained in eyeglass production techniques.
The entire town became a single eyeglass factory as the division of labor among craftsmen progressed!
Under the apprentice-craftsman system, craftsmen competed with each other in groups of craftsmen called “choba,” which were subdivided by process, and as a result of friendly competition, the skills of the craftsmen improved and the division of labor became more and more independent. The people of Sabae are very serious and patient, and they are able to perform the detailed work that requires patience and perseverance. It is no exaggeration to say that this is the reason why the quality of Sabae eyeglasses is world-class.
Demand for eyeglasses surges during postwar economic boom, and Sabae grows as an eyeglass production center.
The demand for eyeglasses surged during the postwar period of rapid economic growth, and Sabae grew dramatically as an eyeglass production center. The company focused on increasing production efficiency through manufacturing automation, improving quality, and developing new technologies. Sabae’s ability to produce eyeglasses attracts an increasing number of orders from top brands from overseas. Never satisfied with the status quo, Sabae continues to develop new technologies. In 1981, the company succeeds in establishing the world’s first technology for manufacturing eyeglass frames made of titanium metal. Lightweight, durable, springy, and resistant to metal allergies, titanium eyeglass frames have taken the world by storm. The Sabae name became known throughout the world.
Sabae evolves from an OEM to a Sabae brand to counter the rise of Chinese makers of low-priced frames.
However, after peaking in 1992, Sabae’s eyeglass industry began to decline, with a 30% drop in both the value of shipments and the number of producers, and a 40% drop in the number of eyeglass-related establishments. Sabae’s eyeglass industry was primarily engaged in contract manufacturing, or OEM. The industry was on the decline due to the distribution of low-priced frames made by Chinese manufacturers and the increase in the number of discount eyeglass stores in the country.
In 2000, the city of Sabae joined forces with other businesses to create the “Sabae Brand,” a strategy of not only manufacturing, but also promotion and sales. By promoting the craftsmanship of Sabae’s highly acclaimed eyeglass makers, the city succeeded in building a solid position in the midst of a severely price-demanding eyeglass market.
THE291 Fukui “Unified brand of production area with over 20 member companies
In 2003, Sabae’s eyeglass industry underwent a major policy shift when more than 20 local manufacturers joined together to create a unified brand called “THE291” (The Fukui) to promote Sabae’s eyeglasses both in Japan and abroad. Under “THE291,” products must undergo a rigorous screening process to be certified. Only products that meet the three criteria of “high quality, high quality, and originality,” “sophisticated design and functional beauty that can be accepted worldwide,” and “incorporation of world-class new materials and processing technology” will be allowed to call themselves “THE291.
Megane Museum “Sabae eyeglasses from the local market!
The Megane Museum opened in March 2010 in the Megane Kaikan, the symbolic tower of Sabae, with a store where you can buy the latest made-in-Japan models, a hands-on workshop where you can try your hand at making eyeglass frames, and a museum where you can learn more about the history of eyeglass making. Museum, where visitors can learn more about the history of glasses. This is a place where you can fully enjoy ” buying, ” ” enjoying, ” and ” learning (about) glasses. Admission is free.
GLASS GALLERY 291 “You can buy the latest Sabae glasses in a stylish space in Aoyama!
This is a domestic eyeglasses showroom directly operated by Sabae City in Fukui Prefecture in Minami Aoyama, Tokyo. In addition to product development, the products of the association’s member eyeglass manufacturers are on display, and this is a spot where retailers from all over Japan can not only stock and examine products, but where the general public can also purchase them. It is a highly sensitive spot where the latest Sabae eyeglasses are displayed and sold.
Sabae Eyeglass Factory ” “A web magazine of eyeglasses from the field
This web magazine provides in-depth eyeglass information from the field, featuring numerous eyeglass craftsmen, Sabae’s eyeglass manufacturing techniques, and people who love eyeglasses.The Sabae City Industry and Environment Department’s Commerce and Industry Policy Division is responsible for reporting, editing, designing, and producing the Web site. It is a model of industry-government-government collaboration in the promotion of Made in Japan. The website is highly recommended for those who are interested in learning more about eyeglasses, as it offers a wealth of quality in-depth content.
