U.S. Orthofeet Establishes Japanese Subsidiary, Orthofeet Japan

U.S. Orthofeet, a company developing premium hands-free shoes, has established its Japanese local subsidiary, Orthofeet Japan K.K., which will commence operations on April 1, 2026. Orthofeet was founded in the U.S. in 1984 by brothers Ron Bar, who holds a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering, and Michael Bar, who holds an M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering. The company began product deployment in Japan in 2024. As a brand that combines designs based on biomechanics and podiatry with its proprietary patented hands-free function to support feet and walking—which account for approximately 200 million steps (7,000 steps x 365 days x 80 years) in a lifetime—Orthofeet is making a full-scale entry into the Japanese market with the keyword "health investment," aiming to contribute to societal challenges such as the "declining birthrate and aging population" and "healthy lifespan" through the establishment of its local subsidiary.

Orthofeet is a shoe brand that stands apart from conventional health shoes and hands-free shoes, achieving a fusion with technology. Specifically, it supports the feet, which play the crucial role of bearing the entire body weight, through a patented spring structure that holds the ankle for "hands-free donning and doffing," an "OrthoCushion System" with a sole structure based on orthopedic knowledge, and the inclusion of "custom parts" that allow for easy adjustment of fit to individual foot shapes. With this full-scale entry, the product lineup will be expanded to include not only standard sneakers but also shoes for various occasions such as sports, formal wear, and outdoor activities.

Orthofeet Japan K.K. was founded by members with extensive experience in the shoe industry, centered around qualified individuals of the "Ashi no Torisetsu Kentei" (Foot Manual Certification) organized by Shimokitazawa Hospital, Japan's only comprehensive foot hospital, and the Japan Walking Association.

In Japan, Orthofeet has consecutively won the FOOT HEALTH AWARDS in 2024 and 2025 and is already available in over 100 stores nationwide. Through the establishment of the local subsidiary, Orthofeet Japan will evolve its activities to engage more closely with customers and "support Japanese feet." We invite you to experience our unique shoes.

Orthofeet Specialty Stores:
・Shinjuku (street-level store)
・Isetan Tachikawa
・Daimaru Kyoto
・Hanshin Department Store Umeda Main Store
・Nishinomiya Hankyu Department Store
・Tsuruya Department Store
*A list including stores operated by our partners nationwide can be found here:
(Retailers | Orthofeet Japan Official Website)

Company Profile:
Name: Orthofeet Japan K.K.
Head Office Location: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Representative: Yasuyuki Umino, President and Representative Director
Business Activities: Wholesale, retail, and e-commerce business of Orthofeet brand products in Japan
Capital: 30 million JPY
Date of Establishment: March 2026
Shareholder: 100% owned by Orthofeet Inc., USA
Number of Employees: 25
Brand URL: https://www.orthofeet.jp/

Yasuyuki Umino Profile:
Orthofeet Japan K.K.
President and Representative Director, Yasuyuki Umino
After returning from studying abroad, he has been consistently involved in the shoe industry since 2005. He has overseen the distribution of foot health-focused brands such as BIRKENSTOCK and BENEXY, and led the introduction of the U.S. Orthofeet brand to Japan in 2024. He holds an International MBA from Globis University Graduate School of Management and has obtained the "Ashi no Torisetsu Kentei" Advanced certification.