Asics Creates OT Group to Give Onitsuka Tiger Operational Independence

Overview

• Asics announced Wednesday that it will transfer Onitsuka Tiger into a newly formed, wholly owned OT Group by a legal split taking effect on January 1, and it named Ryoji Shoda president‑executive of the new unit.
• Company leaders said the change is meant to speed approvals and day‑to‑day decisions after years of rapid sales growth that helped deliver record group profits.
• Executives cited internal friction over whether Onitsuka Tiger should be run primarily as a fashion label or a sport business and said the new structure will let the brand set clearer strategic priorities.
• Onitsuka Tiger has a program of concept stores tied to the move, including a Los Angeles concept store in February, a flagship in Shinjuku on July 10, a Nagoya opening in August, and additional concept shops planned for Shanghai, Milan and Seoul by September.
• Asics said it will keep OT Group private with no IPO planned and analysts say the split is a common governance step that could speed global expansion and help the brand resume U.S. retail after its 2023 withdrawal.