Japanese Brands Band Together to Stand Against Injustice

Touching on recent events in the United States, a long list of lauded Japanese brands have come together to join in the stand against injustice.

Over 20 imprints including the likes of AMBUSH, HUMAN MADE, sacai, UNDERCOVER, Wacko Maria and WTAPS have joined forces for a simple yet important T-shirt. Marked boldly with “JAPANESE SOLIDARITY WITH BLACK LIVES MATTER” on the front, the contrast design top looks to raise awareness and contributions in Japan. The rear of the shirt is emblazoned with the distinct logos of the brands that have partnered up to support the #BlackLivesMatter movement.

All profits generated from the sale of the “JAPANESE SOLIDARITY WITH BLACK LIVES MATTER” will be donated to Black Lives Matter, Equal Justice Initiative and other charities that invest in the future of the Black American community through education initiatives.

The “JAPANESE SOLIDARITY WITH BLACK LIVES MATTER” T-Shirt is set to be available for pre-order at 11 a.m. JST June 20-10:59 a.m. JST June 22 on HUMAN MADE’s website for addresses in Japan, while United States residents can pre-order the release at 10 p.m. PST June 19-9:59 p.m. PST June 21 on Billionaire Boys Club’s website.

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I will always be grateful for the amazing welcome I felt from Black America when I opened my first shop in New York in 2004. To see my heroes appreciating what I made, and to be encouraged by them to feel that I could contribute in some way to the culture that has influenced me more than any other has been an honour. It is hard to witness the pain of friends, but I am filled with hope and admiration for the bravery of those who struggle. I have been thinking about what I can or should do as a Japanese person. I do not want to be a distraction to the important process that is taking place. I also hate the idea of using what is happening as some kind of brand positioning or marketing exercise. In order to raise awareness in Japan and money for the cause, I called on my friends and colleagues here to talk about this issue and I received tremendous support. We have worked together to make this T shirt. I am full of gratitude to the participants. From Japan, I hope this effort can have a positive effect. The shirt will be available for pre-order from 20 June at www.humanmade.jp. All profits will be donated to Black Lives Matter, Equal Justice Initiative and charities that invest in the future of the Black American community via education. 2004年初めてニューヨークでお店を出店した時、ブラックアメリカから驚くほど歓迎されていることを感じました。そのことに対して感謝の気持ちを忘れたことはありません。憧れの人たちが僕のつくった物を喜ぶのを目にし、自分に何よりも影響を与えてくれたカルチャーに貢献出来ると感じさせてくれたことを、今でもとても光栄に思っています。 友が苦しんでいるのを見るのはつらいことですが、闘っている人々の勇敢さには驚きと希望でいっぱいです。自分は日本人として何が出来るのか、何をすべきか考えてきました。現在行われている重要な流れの邪魔にはなりたくなく、またこのことをブランドポジショニングやマーケティングに利用するという考えも嫌いです。 今回日本国内での認識を高め寄付を募る為、日本の知人やブランドに声を掛け、この問題について話すことで、沢山の賛同を得ることが出来、協力してTシャツを製作しました。彼らには本当に感謝の言葉しかありません。この取り組みがプラスの影響をもたらすことを日本から願っています。 このTシャツは6月20日より www.humanmade.jp にてオーダーを受けつけ、売上の利益は全額「Black Lives Matter」「Equal Justice Initiative 」及び、教育を通してブラックアメリカンコミュニティの未来に投資をする慈善団体に寄付されます。 皆様からの沢山のご支援をいただけますと幸いです。

A post shared by 𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐎® (@nigo) on Jun 18, 2020 at 6:17pm PDT

In case you missed it, the Black Lives Matter Foundation apparently has no affiliation with the BLM movement.