fitu Announces Statement on the Price and Value of Repairs on July 4th, "Fashion Repair Day"

On July 4th, "Fashion Repair Day," fitu will release an official statement on the price and value of repairs. We believe that mending should be considered not just for its affordability, but for the value it brings to craftsmanship, society, the environment, and the future.

On July 4th, 2026, designated as "Fashion Repair Day," YOBOSHI LLC, which operates the online clothing repair service "fitu," will issue a statement regarding the pricing of clothing repairs and the value derived from the underlying craftsmanship, as well as the benefits to consumers, society, and the environment.

To distribute this press release, fitu will utilize one instance of PR TIMES's usage-based plan, costing 33,000 yen (tax included).

With 33,000 yen (tax included), one could place web advertisements or fund a discount campaign.

However, this time, we have chosen to allocate this expense not for promoting products or campaigns, but to convey our philosophy on repairs to society.

Our hope is that even one person who reads this message will slightly alter their perception from "It's natural for repairs to be cheaper than buying new."

The next time clothes no longer fit or are damaged, before choosing to discard, sell, or replace them, we hope they will consider, just once, "Can this be repaired?"

Our objective with this announcement is to foster such small attitudinal shifts in as many people as possible.

July 4th is "Fashion Repair Day"

July 4th is designated as "Fashion Repair Day," a date chosen based on the Japanese wordplay "0704 = o-naoshi" (to repair).

Established by Reform Studio Co., Ltd. and registered with the Japan Anniversary Association, its purpose is to promote the value of cherishing and using clothing, shoes, and bags for a long time.

Coinciding with "Fashion Repair Day" on July 4th, 2023, fitu announced the launch of its width reduction and remake services, based on customer feedback.

Three years have passed, and it is now 2026.

This year, instead of introducing new services or discount campaigns, we are sharing our thoughts on the price and value of repairs, which we have developed through our daily work with various garments.

The Perception: "Repairs Should Be Cheaper Than Buying New"

"If I'm going to get clothes repaired, it should be cheaper than buying new."

Isn't this a common perception?

Indeed, when looking at repair costs, some people might feel, "It's almost the same price as buying the garment," or "I could buy a new one for this price."

fitu does not deny this feeling.

Currently, an environment exists where new clothes can be purchased affordably due to mass production, global sourcing, division of labor in manufacturing processes, and efficient logistics.

In a society where new clothes can be bought for a few thousand yen, it is natural to think, "Repairing a part of a garment should be cheaper than the finished product."

However, the process of mass-producing new clothes and repairing an already finished garment operate on different principles.

Mass Production is Optimized for Efficiently Creating Identical Garments

Mass production of clothing involves creating a certain quantity of products using the same patterns, materials, and specifications.

By dividing processes such as cutting, sewing, inspection, and finishing, and repeatedly producing the same SKUs, the time and cost per garment are reduced.

Multiple layers of fabric are cut at once.

The same parts are sewn continuously using the same type of sewing machine.

Each worker is assigned a limited set of tasks, ensuring stable work speed and quality.

Fabric yield and a certain level of defects can be managed within the overall production volume, rather than on an individual garment basis.

The reason we can purchase finished garments at low prices is due to a system optimized for producing a consistent quantity of the same item.

Repair is the Work of Deciphering the Structure of a Finished Garment

In contrast, garments handled for repair are unique.

Each differs in manufacturer, brand, production date, material, pattern, sewing specifications, components, lining, finishing, and condition of wear.

Even for the same task, "hemming pants," the structure and appropriate repair method differ for dress pants, jeans, wide-leg pants, nylon pants, and jogger pants.

The hem may also feature zippers, drawstrings, linings, ribbing, double stitching, special stitching, or distressed finishes.

Even for shortening a T-shirt, the necessary steps change depending on the presence of slits, the shape of the hem, the position of pockets, and the distance from prints or embroidery.

Just as clothing patterns are diverse, there is no single fixed method for repairs.

Some garments' internal construction is not apparent from the outside.

Often, the processing method or feasibility cannot be determined until the garment is examined, and its internal structure, seam allowances, and the connection between the outer and inner fabrics are understood.

Repair is not a job of repeating the same task using a predetermined method.

It is the work of observing a finished garment, deciphering its structure, and devising a method suitable for that specific garment.

The Tension of Handling a Unique Item, Where Mistakes Are Not an Option

The clothes we receive for repair are unique to each customer.

It's not always possible to immediately procure an identical item.

Garments that are no longer sold.

Clothes worn for many years, now molded to the body.

Garments inherited from family.

Clothes imbued with memories.

Vintage items or one-of-a-kind pieces.

Some garments cannot be replaced simply by their purchase price.

Once fabric is cut, it cannot be restored to its original length.

Even slight differences in measurement or cutting can affect the final silhouette and comfort.

Unlike mass production, losses cannot be absorbed within a larger batch.

Therefore, repair artisans require not only sewing skills but also knowledge of garment construction, experience in predicting fabric behavior, judgment to select appropriate processing methods, and high concentration to handle a unique item where mistakes are not permissible.

The repair fee includes more than just the time spent operating the sewing machine.

It encompasses the necessary steps and responsibility for each individual item, including garment inspection, measurement, structural assessment, disassembly of seams, cutting, re-sewing, pressing, finishing, and quality control.

Repairs Are Not Necessarily Cheaper Than New Items

fitu does not aim to argue that "repairs should be more expensive than new items."

Nor do we believe that all clothes should be repaired at a cost.

Considering the condition of the garment, its future frequency of wear, the repair cost, and the availability of alternatives, replacing it may be more practical.

However, we believe that the perception "repairs should naturally be cheaper than new clothes" warrants re-examination.

We cannot simply compare the price of new items, optimized for producing a consistent quantity of the same product, with the price of repairs, which involve examining each unique garment with its differing structure and condition, and processing it under conditions where mistakes are not allowed.

Buying a new garment and repairing an existing one.

It is not unnatural for these two to be at similar price points.

Furthermore, when considering multiple aspects such as the consumer, society, and the environment, repairs possess value that cannot be measured solely by the price of a new purchase.

Value for the Consumer

Even when purchasing new clothes, they may not perfectly fit one's body or preferences.

There are garments that become unworn because, despite liking the design and material, the sleeves are too long, the length is incorrect, the waist is too large, or the silhouette is too wide.

With repairs, you can adjust the parts that don't fit while retaining the aspects of the garment you like.

This ability to adapt an existing garment to your current body and style, rather than replacing it with another, is a unique value of repairs.

Garments with sentimental value, those no longer sold, or those whose texture has changed over years of wear cannot be replicated by purchasing new items.

Repair is not just about restoring a garment's function.

It is a choice to preserve the reasons for selecting that garment and the time spent wearing it.

Value for the Environment

Creating new clothes requires multiple processes, including raw material procurement, spinning, fabric manufacturing, dyeing, cutting, sewing, finishing, and transportation.

The Ministry of the Environment estimates that the total annual environmental load per garment consumed in Japan is approximately 25.5 kg of CO2 emissions and 2,300 liters of water consumption.

These are not fixed values measured for each individual garment; the actual environmental impact varies depending on the type of clothing, material, and manufacturing method.

Nevertheless, they indicate that significant unseen resources and energy are invested in the creation of each garment we purchase.

Even an already completed garment represents an investment not only in fabric and thread but also in water, energy, dyeing and sewing technology, transportation, and human labor.

A zipper breaks.

The hem frays.

The length or size is incorrect.

Discarding an entire garment for such a partial issue means not fully utilizing the resources already invested in it.

The Ministry of the Environment states that if consumers wear their clothes for one year longer, it could lead to a reduction of approximately 50,000 tons of clothing waste nationwide.

They also highlight clothing repair and mending as concrete actions for wearing beloved garments longer.

Of course, repairs also have an environmental impact.

Components like threads and zippers used in sewing, electricity for sewing machines and presses, delivery to and from the factory, and packaging for return shipping all require resources and energy.

Therefore, fitu does not believe that "repairing one item will always reduce the environmental impact equivalent to one new item."

The environmental value of repair becomes clear when the repaired garment is actually worn, delaying the purchase of new clothes or reducing the number of garments bought.

What is important is not just the act of repair.

It is continuing to wear the repaired garment in daily life.

The Number of People Capable of Repair Skills is Decreasing

Another reality we wish to convey regarding the value of repair is the decline and aging of individuals possessing the skills to make and repair clothes.

According to data from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the number of workers employed in the textile industry decreased from approximately 670,000 in 2007 to about 350,000 in 2023.

In 2023, 22.9% of textile industry workers were aged 65 or older, significantly exceeding the 8.3% in the manufacturing industry as a whole.

Furthermore, some textile production areas have reported a decrease in workers by approximately 50% between 2012 and 2021.

These statistics do not exclusively target clothing repair artisans. While the data for the entire textile industry cannot be directly applied to the situation solely within the repair sector, the skills that form the foundation of repair—understanding garment construction, operating industrial sewing machines, and adapting processing methods based on materials and specifications—are rooted in sewing technology.

The decreasing and aging workforce in this field is directly related to the question of whether we can maintain an environment where clothes can be repaired in the future.

Case studies published by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare for clothing reform businesses also highlight the shortage of personnel with sewing skills for clothing reform, an increase in retirees due to aging, and difficulties in nurturing successors.

These examples explain that sewing is a craft requiring years to acquire skills and gain experience, that workforce development cannot keep pace, and that this limits the volume of work that can be accepted.

If Factories and Local Repair Shops Disappear, So Do the Skills

The skills involved in garment production and repair are not solely the domain of individual artisans.

They are supported by factories and businesses responsible for various processes such as cutting, pattern making, sewing, dyeing, finishing, pressing, and specialized machinery.

The closure of a single sewing factory or small business signifies more than just the disappearance of a company or shop.

It can also mean the loss of a process that could previously be handled in that region, or the accumulated skills and experience-based judgment of an artisan.

To the best of fitu's knowledge, there are no public statistics continuously tracking the number of store closures or business dissolutions specifically for clothing repair shops nationwide.

Therefore, we cannot definitively state that "local repair shops are uniformly declining" or that "repair shops will disappear in the near future."

However, given the overall decrease and aging of the workforce in the textile industry, and reports from actual clothing repair businesses citing artisan retirements, lack of successors, and difficulties in training, it is an undeniable reality that cases are emerging where regional sewing factories and small repair shops are unable to continue operations due to aging and a shortage of successors.

In the past, there were shops in local shopping streets and near train stations where one could consult with an artisan about repairs while showing them the garment.

In those places, artisans would examine the garment's structure and condition, and devise repair methods based on their experience.

There were people to consult with when you wanted to get clothes repaired.

There were people who could examine a garment whose structure they didn't understand and determine the repair method.

There were people who could operate specialized sewing machines and finish the garment while preserving the original design as much as possible.

There is no guarantee that such an environment will continue to exist as a matter of course.

Fair Compensation Is Also Compensation for Preserving Skills for the Future

Repair fees are not solely for the cost of repairing a single garment.

They are compensation for knowledge in discerning garment structure.

Skills in sewing according to material.

Experience in handling a wide variety of garments.

Concentration required to handle unique items where mistakes are not an option.

Simultaneously, it is compensation for creating an environment where this work can be pursued as a profession and for passing down skills to the next generation.

If only low prices are demanded, it becomes difficult for artisans to earn a sufficient income.

If the work is not financially viable, it becomes difficult for younger generations to learn the skills anew and gain experience over many years.

If fewer people use these services, local repair shops and sewing factories will be unable to continue their work.

If the work disappears, the skills passed down in those places will also be lost.

Once lost, skills cannot be easily recovered when needed.

Repairing clothes not only extends the wear life of a single garment.

It is also a choice to preserve the people and places capable of repairing clothes for society's future.

fitu believes that utilizing repair services itself creates work for artisans and helps pass down sewing skills to the next generation.

Buying New Clothes vs. Repairing Existing Clothes

fitu does not deny the act of buying new clothes.

Encountering new designs and materials is an important joy of fashion.

However, we wish for a society where the option to repair existing clothes stands equally alongside the option to buy new, rather than a society where only the latter exists.

Even if the price of buying new clothes and repairing an existing garment were the same, it would not diminish the value of repair.

For consumers, it means being able to continue wearing a beloved garment that fits them.

For the environment, it offers the potential to utilize materials and resources already invested in clothing for a longer period.

For society, it contributes to preserving the jobs and skills of artisans who make and repair clothes.

In the relationship with clothing, it means preserving the time and memories embedded in that garment.

When we consider not just the price, but also what is preserved, fitu believes that in many cases, repairs hold greater value.

Spending 33,000 Yen (Tax Included) to Change One Person's Perception

Our goal with this announcement is not solely to have people immediately request repairs from fitu.

We hope that one person who reads this statement will recall a garment in their closet.

They might look at a piece they thought "I won't wear this anymore" and consider, "Perhaps I could wear it again if I had it repaired."

Before searching for new clothes, they might investigate ways to adapt their existing garments to themselves.

When looking at repair prices, instead of simply judging them as "expensive," they might consider, just once, the processes and skills behind them.

They might learn that the work of repairing clothes also contributes to preserving the skills of artisans for the future.

fitu believes that if even one person experiences such a change, the 33,000 yen (tax included) spent on this announcement will have meaning.

July 4th, 2026: A Call from fitu

On "Fashion Repair Day," July 4th, 2026.

Please recall just one garment in your closet that you "would like to wear again if it were repaired."

There is no need to send it for repair immediately.

First, consider if there are alternatives to letting go of that garment.

Investigate whether it can be repaired.

Even that alone will begin to gradually change the relationship with clothing and repairs.

The value of repair is not in being cheaper than new.

It lies in transforming an existing garment into one that can continue to be worn.

Repair not because it's cheap, but because it has value.

Repair before replacing.

fitu Repair Reality.

About fitu

fitu is a service that allows customers to order clothing repairs online without visiting a physical store.

We accept requests for hemming pants, skirts, dresses, T-shirts, shirts, jackets, and coats, as well as sleeve length adjustments, waist adjustments, width adjustments, silhouette adjustments, repairs, and remakes.

Garments can be sent to us via home pickup, self-shipment, or direct shipment from the e-commerce site where they were purchased.

Service Site https://fi-tu.com/

Operating Company YOBOSHI LLC

Business Description Planning and operation of the online clothing repair service "fitu"

Reference Materials and Sources

In preparing this statement, we have referred to materials from the following public institutions and official websites to confirm the environmental and social value of repairs and long-term clothing use, as well as the situation surrounding those who possess sewing skills:

Ministry of the Environment, "What is Sustainable Fashion?" - Referring to CO2 emissions and water consumption per garment.

https://www.env.go.jp/policy/sustainable_fashion/about/

Ministry of the Environment, "Actions for Fashion and the Environment" - Referring to scenarios for reducing clothing waste by wearing clothes one year longer and information on mending and repairs.

https://www.env.go.jp/policy/sustainable_fashion/actions/

Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, "Response to Strengthening Supply Chains in Textile Production Areas" - Referring to the number of workers in the textile industry, their age composition, and labor shortages in textile production areas.

https://www.meti.go.jp/shingikai/mono_info_service/textile_production_area/pdf/002_04_00.pdf

Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, "Support for Employment Type A Business Umami Co., Ltd. Yume Kokoro" - Referring to business case studies on the shortage of personnel with sewing skills for clothing reform, retirements due to aging, and successor training.

https://saiteichingin.mhlw.go.jp/jirei/detail38.html

Reform Studio Co., Ltd., "Our Mission" - Referring to the origin and purpose of establishing "Fashion Repair Day" on July 4th.

https://reform-s.com/sdgs/mission/

* The figures cited in this text are based on the scope, conditions, and research methods defined by each source.

* Actual environmental impact and the effects of repairs will vary depending on factors such as garment material, manufacturing method, usage conditions, repair content, shipping method, and the availability of alternatives for new purchases.

* The number of workers and age composition in the textile industry are not statistics solely targeting clothing repair artisans. This statement refers to them as data illustrating the situation of those involved in sewing and textile technologies that form the foundation of repair.