Isetan to open store dedicated to Japanese culture in Malaysia

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
Aug 30, 2016

Japanese department store chain Isetan Mitsukoshi has unveiled plans to open a new specialty store in Malaysia featuring only Japanese products, experiences and services.

The ‘Japan Store Kuala Lumpur’ is an initiative supported by the government-financed Cool Japan Fund, and aims to promote Japanese lifestyle, culture, technology and design as global interest in this country continues to grow.

The store, scheduled to open at the end of October 2016, will cover approximately 11,000 sq mt (118,400 sq ft) over six floors. It will deliver a collection of products from groceries, fashion and art to a bookstore and a culture academy.

"We will introduce Japan's exceptional products, experiences and services to the world,” said Hiroshi Ohnishi, President and CEO of Isetan.

“In 2011, Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) launched ‘Cool Japan’, a program promoting the introduction of regional products, fashion and other content to the world. In this context, the Isetan Mitsukoshi Group has promoted the ‘JAPAN SENSES’ campaign, introducing to our customers remarkable traditional crafts from all over Japan, styling them with a newborn originality. Now, to more clearly convey the spirit of ‘Cool Japan’, we are ready to show the world the exceptional craftsmanship Japan is proud to offer at the fully renovated LOT 10 in Kuala Lumpur, supported by Cool Japan Fund Inc."

The company also plans to open a Japan Store in the Japan Cultural Institute in Paris this autumn.