Image 1: December 2025, Osaka, Japan — Representatives from Henkel, AP Plasma, and Chenfull gathered at the international club NORIBA 10 in Umeda for a strategic footwear summit. The event facilitated critical dialogue and partnership with key stakeholders across the Japanese footwear supply chain. (Source: Event Photography)
(Osaka, Japan) — As global manufacturing undergoes a massive restructuring driven by ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) transformation, the question remains: How can the Japanese footwear industry reclaim its leading edge in high-quality production?
With the strategic support of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), a landmark “Germany-Japan-Taiwan Footwear Technology Summit” was held in Osaka just before Christmas 2025. Led by global chemical giant Henkel Corporation, in collaboration with CHENFULL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION (also known as Chenfeng Shoe Making Machinery) and AP Plasma Corporation, the summit unveiled a comprehensive footwear solution designed to redefine global competitiveness. This initiative aims to empower the Japanese domestic footwear industry by leveraging leading-edge technologies and capitalizing on the high brand premium associated with “Made in Japan” to reshape the global supply chain.
The Pinnacle of Footwear Technology in Japan
The summit introduced a suite of next-generation technologies focused on enhancing manufacturing efficiency and product quality:
Image 2: A demonstration of new technologies already validated on European production lines. These innovations streamline manufacturing steps, significantly reducing energy consumption and environmental impact.
(Source: AP Plasma)
(1) Henkel Corporation (Germany): Introduced eco-friendly, water-based adhesive solutions optimized for high-end footwear, establishing a new standard for sustainable bonding.
(2) AP Plasma Corporation (Taiwan): Presented its award-winning “Air Aurora” atmospheric plasma technology. This non-contact treatment replaces traditional mechanical roughing, creating a dust-free, quiet, and environmentally friendly production environment.
(3) CHENFULL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION (Chenfeng Shoe Making Machinery) (Taiwan): Showcased advanced automated machinery that seamlessly integrates new materials and processes, ensuring precision at scale.
Empowering the “Shokunin” Spirit with Technology
“The goal of this collaboration is to integrate the most advanced technologies into the heart of Japanese craftsmanship,” stated a representative at the summit. By adopting these automated and sustainable solutions, Japanese manufacturers can reduce their reliance on labor-intensive processes while significantly lowering their carbon footprint.
Image 2: (Left) Traditional mechanical roughing generates hazardous dust and safety risks.
(Right) AP Plasma’s “Air Aurora” technology provides a dust-free, ultra-clean, and safe alternative. (Source: AP Plasma) Watch Related Video
BACK TO JAPAN, EMPOWERING GLOBAL LANDS.
Supported by JETRO’s vision for industrial revitalization, this tripartite alliance provides the Japanese footwear sector with the tools to lead the “Green Revolution” in fashion. As the industry moves toward 2026, the collaboration between Germany, Japan, and Taiwan is set to ensure that “Made in Japan” remains synonymous with both timeless quality and visionary innovation.
Image 4: Representatives from Henkel, Chiaphua Industries, and AP Plasma unite in Osaka to bring successful sustainable manufacturing cases to the Japanese market. (Source: Event Photography)
AP Plasma Corporation is now actively preparing for our next forward-looking technical exchange event. We cordially invite you to contact us in advance to ensure you receive the latest updates and secure your exclusive seat.
[Contact Us Now] We look forward to reconnecting with you at our next summit in 2026 as we continue to lead the Asian footwear industry into a new era!
