Japan's First 'kybun Joya' Health Shoe Specialty Store to Open in Yokohama on April 10; Founder Karl Müller Jr. to Visit Japan

## Yokohama Welcomes Health Functional Shoe Specialty Store to Support Those Who Won't Give Up Walking

### Japan's First 'kybun Joya' Specialty Shop Opens April 10; Founder Karl Müller Jr. to Visit from Switzerland

For those who face challenges such as 'unable to walk long distances' or 'feeling anxious about going out,' a new option is arriving. The 'kybun Joya Shop Yokohama Isezaki Mall' will open on Friday, April 10, 2026, in Isezaki-cho, Yokohama, specializing in health functional shoes designed to reduce the burden on knees and hips.

This store is the first specialized shop in Japan and the 101st kybun Joya shop globally. To mark this milestone, Karl Müller Jr., the founder of both brands, will visit Japan from Switzerland to speak at the opening ceremony.

### Opening Ceremony Details
**Date/Time:** Friday, April 10, 2026, starting at 13:00 (Scheduled)

The ceremony is expected to be attended by representatives from Swiss-related public institutions, economic organizations, and domestic media. Key attendees include officials from the Embassy of Switzerland in Japan, the Swiss Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan (SCCIJ), and various specialized media outlets, highlighting the international significance of this opening.

**Main Participating Organizations:**
- Embassy of Switzerland in Japan
- Swiss Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan (SCCIJ)
- Hara Institute
- Japan-Swiss Society
- Hamakaze Shimbun, Senken Shimbun, Kanagawa Shimbun

### Background of Support in Yokohama
Five Ring Co., Ltd. has previously sold 'Joya' health functional shoes through department stores like Yokohama Takashimaya. The Yokohama area has consistently shown the highest level of support nationwide, making it the ideal location for this new standalone street-level flagship store.

### The Social Challenge of 'Wanting to Walk but Unable'
While walking is emphasized for its health benefits, many people avoid going out due to knee/back pain or general anxiety about mobility. According to the 2022 Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, back and joint pain are among the most common subjective symptoms, affecting approximately one in three people. As Japan's population ages, maintaining walking functionality is becoming a critical theme for maintaining Quality of Life (QOL).

### The Overlooked Cause: Footwear
The cause of physical discomfort often stems from the walking environment and the shoes worn daily. Walking on hard surfaces with insufficient cushioning accumulates strain on the body over time.

### A Place to Regain 'Walking Comfort'
This shop is not just a place to buy shoes but a center dedicated to reducing mobility anxiety and expanding daily activity ranges.

**Feature 1: Professional Fitting Consultation**
- Foot condition check
- Gait analysis
- Personalized fit adjustment
Customers can choose the perfect pair while actually walking and testing the feel.

**Feature 2: Shoes that Replicate Soft Ground**
Both 'kybun' and 'Joya' feature a soft sole structure designed to dampen impact.

**[kybun]**
Founded in 2007 in Switzerland and available in over 40 countries. Based on the philosophy of 'liberating people from hard ground,' it uses an air-layered cushion structure to facilitate natural muscle activity, turning daily walking into a workout.

**[Joya]**
Founded in 2008 in Switzerland with over 3 million pairs sold across 30 countries. Known as the 'world's softest shoes,' they use a patented sole structure to balance impact absorption and stability, earning high praise in Europe.

### Comment from Founder Karl Müller Jr.
'Japan was one of the earliest markets we expanded into outside Switzerland, and I have always felt a strong affinity for the Japanese sense of quality and values. The opening of the Yokohama shop—our 101st globally and first in Japan—is deeply meaningful. We believe we can address mobility anxiety starting from the feet. This is not just a business; it is a step toward a society where everyone can walk without pain.'

### Shop Overview
- **Name:** kybun Joya Shop Yokohama Isezaki Mall
- **Opening Date:** April 10, 2026
- **Location:** 1F Ikuei Bldg, 4-116 Isezaki-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama
- **Access:** Near Kannai Station (JR/Subway) and Isezaki-chojamachi Station (Subway)
- **Hours:** 10:00–18:00 (Closed Wednesdays)

### Corporate Profile
- **Company:** Five Ring Co., Ltd.
- **Established:** December 28, 2010
- **Capital:** 42.5 Million JPY
- **Headquarters:** 7F Matsumi Bldg, 3-3 Kanda-kajicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
- **Business:** Import and sale of health functional shoes