In the
city of Imabari in Ehime Prefecture
more than 250 firms are concentrated
in the area, engaged in towel production
and related industries such as dyeworks,
printworks and industrial sewing.
The makeup of the towel industry
in Imabari is different from anywhere
else in the world. Under a system
where the towel making process is
divided amongst various companies,
most firms are of small and medium
size, each of which over time has
developed superior technology and
skill to produce only the highest
quality towels.
Towel production in the Imabari
area accounts for 60% of the towel
production in Japan. Products include
not only bath towels, hand towels
and wash towels, but also a wide
variety of bathrobes, headbands,
bathmats, cushions, pouches, bags,
bedding and baby products. These
products are exported to the United
States, Hong Kong, Taiwan as well
as other destinations.
Source:
Shikoku Towel Industrial Association
Number
of factories:
250
(factories
involved in towel production and
related processing)
