Japan's Oldest Jeans Factory Continues To Innovate

OKAYAMA, JAPAN - JULY 19: Detail view of a denim jacket at the Betty Smith Kojima Factory on July 19, 2024 in Okayama, Japan. Okayama Prefecture is famous for the manufacture of jeans, with many companies related to this industry based in the region. Wells Co.,Ltd. is a corporation that specializes in processing, washing, distressing and finishing many jeans from domestic and international manufacturers. Kojima in particular is the birthplace of purely domestic jeans and is home to many companies including Betty Smith Co.,Ltd. and Big John Co.,Ltd. The Betty Smith Kojima Factory is Japan's oldest jeans factory, having produced workwear and jeans since the 1960s when domestic denim production first began in the country. Visitors can observe the factory's skilled workers sewing jeans on vintage and modern machines, providing a glimpse into the meticulous craftsmanship that goes into "Made in Japan" denim. Beyond the factory, the site also houses a museum chronicling the history of Japanese jeans, as well as an outlet store selling the brand's sustainable "Ecobetty" products made from recycled denim. (Photo by Takashi Aoyama/Getty Images)