Ever-Evolving, High-Function Japanese Shoes

Special-Purpose Sports Footwear

"BC Walker Shape" walking shoes for adults with an insole raised toward the toe for an "uphill" effect. The lengthwise line along the sole improves posture. (Cooperation: ASICS Corporation)

Starting some three decades ago, footwear manufacturers all around the world have been developing multifunction shoes for ordinary people as well as athletes. In Japan, too, a wide variety of high-function shoes made with newly developed materials has been produced with special features designed for stability, comfort, flexibility, cushioning, waterproofing, breathability and durability. Recently, especially when it comes to athletic shoes, there is a vast range of special-function shoes on sale for all types of sports.

Walking and jogging has become increasingly popular among adults. (Photo: AFLO)

People who like walking or running, in particular, can choose from a fantastic line-up of shoes with new functions. You can find every different type of running shoe to suit the experience and purpose of your needs. For novices, shoes have been developed with strong soles to lessen the impact as the foot contacts the ground and which provide some bounce as the foot leaves the ground. For experienced runners, shoes have been made light and comfortable to wear and help to reduce fatigue when running long distances. For those who prefer walking, there are shoes that have been developed to make the body more fit—some shoes are made with a gradient on the inside sole to make it seem as if the wearer is walking uphill all the time and feature a lengthwise line on the sole which improves posture. Another type has a depression in the inner sole at the front to help strengthen the wearer’s feet by exercising the toes.

Recently, however, high-function shoes for children as well as adults are becoming more widely available. Footwear manufacturers have been rushing to produce new products for various kinds of activities in response to the wishes of children in Japan who say they would like to be able to run faster, play soccer better, or would like to be able to dance more easily.

Fulfilling Hopes of Children through High-Function Shoes

In 2003, a new type of shoe was released that lead the way in products with high-function features to help children run faster. Since their release, these shoes have seen a boom in sales units, and the reason for their popularity lies in school physical education programs. Physical education classes often feature short-distance running—the sprint or relay are highlights of the school sports day, held in autumn or early summer. School tracks are very often small and circular, and children want to be able to run "quickly and stylishly," without falling, around the sharp curves that are a feature of these tracks.

"This is Shunsoku"—the asymmetrical sole enhances running around curves. (Achilles Corporation)

The secret of these shoes is that they have a sole that is asymmetric. They are designed to allow runners to sprint around the left-hand curve of the track without losing their balance—small and large spikes are positioned bearing this left-hand curve in mind, and the sole is made of non-slip rubber.

It is every child's hope to be able to run fast at the elementary school sports day (Photo: AFLO)

The success of this product created a market for high-function shoes to help children to run faster, and other manufacturers have marketed running shoes with their own unique features. One such product features a rubber sole with a strong bounce, which increases the power as the athlete pushes off from the ground, and this type is most effective on short, straight courses. Other shoes feature things such as spikes in the toes to increase push-off, sprinting and gripping strength. Although the trend started with short-distance running, products for middle-distance running and all-purpose types are on the increase. While being highly functional, these shoes always feature casual designs suited for everyday use.

What's more, the evolution of children's sports shoes does not stop at running shoes, as shoes that suit the requirements of other sports are also being released. There are shoes that help you to jump higher, soccer shoes that make it easier to kick with the right foot and prevent the left foot from slipping, dance shoes with a rounded sole at the toe to help with turns and steps when doing hip-hop—the list goes on. With stylish designs too, they are cool to be seen in.

It seems that the variety of high-function shoes will continue to grow, making sports fun for everyone.

The "spring-loaded" sole of the "Super Star J252" enhances running power. (Cooperation: MoonStar Company)

"Shunsoku Dance" shoes were designed to enhance the bouncy moves of hip hop dancers. (Achilles Corporation)