Image 1: (Visual representation / AI-generated.)

(Osaka, Japan) — “Picture yourself browsing the footwear section of a department store, where you are faced with two identical models: one manufactured in Southeast Asia and the other labeled ‘Made in Japan’ (MIJ) or ‘Nippon Made.’ Even with a 5–10% premium on the MIJ pair, most consumers will choose it without a second thought.”

This preference for “Made in Japan” is rooted in a global trust in Japanese craftsmanship, which represents both peak quality and a cleaner, more ethical supply chain. To meet these evolving consumer expectations, global chemical leader Henkel, AP Plasma Corporation, and CHENFULL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION (also known as Chenfeng Shoe Making Machinery), Taiwan’s only IPO footwear machinery group, recently hosted the “Advanced Sustainable Footwear Summit” in the Umeda business district of Osaka. This summit was more than a technical exchange; it was a strategic initiative aimed at restoring the glory of Japanese manufacturing through sustainable innovation.

A Gentle Touch for the Planet in Every Step

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

Traditionally, footwear manufacturing has been associated with noisy environments and pervasive dust. This summit, however, showcased a drastically different future.
(1) AP Plasma Corporation introduced its “Air Aurora” technology, leveraging mass-production experience from Europe to replace traditional outsole roughing. This innovation eliminates dust and noise, creating a clean and quiet factory environment.
(2) Henkel, the global leader in adhesive standards, presented the world’s most eco-friendly water-based shoe adhesives. These solutions significantly reduce Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), embedding sustainability into the DNA of every shoe.
(3) CHENFULL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION (Chenfeng Shoe Making Machinery) provided the critical link by integrating these technologies into advanced, automated adhesive application systems.

For global brands, this means innovative “green” processes are no longer laboratory ideals but ready-to-implement automated solutions.

Image 3: December 2025, Osaka, Japan — Representatives from Henkel, AP Plasma, and Chenfull gathered at the NORIBA 10 international club in Umeda for critical discussions with key stakeholders in the Japanese footwear supply chain. (Source: Event Photography)

Collaboration: The Key to Mastering Complexity

“A consumer’s insistence on origin and quality is the core of brand value,” was a primary conclusion of the summit. Major Japanese international footwear brands joined Henkel, Chiaphua, and AP Plasma to explore these “Future Solutions”.

The goal is to ensure that whether a Japanese brand produces locally or expands overseas, every pair of shoes maintains the consistent quality of the “shokunin” (craftsman) spirit. Only through this meticulous attention to detail can manufacturing waste be minimized, establishing “Made in Japan” as the global benchmark for sustainable development.

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)


This summit in Osaka marks a significant milestone for the fashion industry, promising a future where consumers will see more “Made in Japan” footwear on shelves worldwide.

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!