View source for Muji

{{short description|Japanese retail company}}
{{About|the Japanese retail company}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd. 
| logo = MUJI logo.svg
| logo_size = 150px
| native_name = 株式会社良品計画
| romanized_name = Kabushiki-gaisha Ryōhin Keikaku
| type = [[Public company|Public]]
| traded_as = {{tyo|7453}}
| industry = [[Retail]]
| genre = 
| foundation = 1980
| founder = 
| location = Koraku 
| location_city = [[Bunkyō, Tokyo]]
| location_country = Japan
| locations = 1188 (2023)<ref>{{cite web | url = http://ryohin-keikaku.jp/eng/corporate/overview.html | title = Corporate Information | publisher = Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd | access-date = 2021-02-03 }}</ref>
| area_served = 
| key_people = {{unbulleted list|Masaaki Kanai ([[chairman]])|Satoru Matsuzaki ([[President (corporate title)|president]])}}
| products = [[Household goods]]<br>[[Kitchen utensil]]<br>[[Fashion]]<br>[[Stationery]]<br>[[Electronics]]<br>[[Home appliances]]<br>[[Cosmetics]]<br>Food<br>[[Furniture]]
| services = Residential [[Architecture|Architectural design]]<ref>{{cite web
 |url        =http://www.muji.net/ie/
 |title      = 無印良品の家 (Muji Houses)
 |publisher  = Muji Japan Randi ko baan
 |access-date = 2013-02-19
}}</ref>
| revenue = 
| operating_income = 
| net_income = 
| assets = 
| equity = 
| owners = [[The Master Trust Bank of Japan]] (8.70%)<br/>[[Trust & Custody Services Bank]] (7.73%)<br/>[[Mitsubishi Corporation]] (4.09%)<br/>[[Credit Saison]] (2.40%)
| num_employees = 
| parent = 
| divisions = Dabbey Muji, Café Muji, Meal Muji, Muji Campsite, florist and home furnishing;
| subsid = 
| footnotes = 
| market cap = 
| homepage = {{URL|muji.net}}<br>{{URL|muji.com}} (outside Japan)
}}

{{Nihongo|'''Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd.'''|株式会社良品計画|Kabushiki-gaisha Ryōhin Keikaku}}, or {{Nihongo|'''Muji'''|無印良品|Mujirushi Ryōhin}} is a Japanese retailer which sells a wide variety of household and consumer goods. Muji's design philosophy is [[minimalist]], and it places an emphasis on [[recycling]], reducing production and [[packaging waste]], and a no-[[logo]] or "no-[[brand]]" policy. The name Muji is derived from the first part of ''Mujirushi Ryōhin'', translated as ''No-Brand Quality Goods'' on Muji's European website.<ref name=":0">[http://www.muji.eu/pages/about.asp? MUJI Online - ABOUT MUJI], retrieved on 2009-10-02.</ref>

==Products and businesses==
[[File:Cafe Muji Shinjuku Store Interior 2013.jpg|thumb|Café&Meal MUJI, in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan]]

Muji started with only 40 products in the 1980s. By the end of the 2000s, Muji was selling more than 7,000 different products. 

Some of their products include pens, pencils, notebooks, storage units, apparel, kitchen appliances, food items, and household care products. Muji has also created an automobile. Muji storefronts such as the one in [[New York City|New York]] are large and stocked with nearly every single product available. The primary business also includes Café Muji, Meal Muji, Muji Campsite, florist and home furnishing; the company has also engaged in architectural projects such as Muji House.

Muji is positioned as a "reasonably priced" brand, keeping the retail prices of products "lower than usual" by the materials it selects, streamlining its manufacturing processes, and minimising packaging.<ref name="ryohin-keikaku.jp">Ryohin Keikaku, "[http://ryohin-keikaku.jp/eng/ryohin/ What is MUJI?]", retrieved on 2009-10-02.</ref>
In April 2019, Muji opened its largest Muji store in [[Ginza]], Japan. The company added Atelier Muji Ginza located on the sixth floor.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timeout.com/tokyo/news/take-a-peek-inside-the-rooms-at-the-new-muji-hotel-in-ginza-041219|title= Take a peek inside the rooms at the new Muji Hotel in Ginza |date=12 April 2019|website=[[Time Out Tokyo]]|access-date=2022-11-03}}</ref> 

Muji has opened hotels in [[Shenzhen]], [[Beijing]], and [[Ginza]], [[Tokyo]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mitsuifudosan.co.jp/corporate/news/2017/0705/|script-title=ja:「マロニエ×並木 読売銀座プロジェクト」2019年春開業予定|website=三井不動産グループ|language=ja|access-date=2017-07-07}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:MUJI CAR 1000 front-side.jpg|thumb|Muji Car 1000, the product of a 2001 collaboration with [[Nissan]]]]
Mujirushi (no-brand) Ryōhin (quality goods) began as a product brand of the supermarket chain [[The Seiyu]], Ltd. in December 1980. The Mujirushi Ryōhin product range was developed to offer affordable quality products and were marketed using the slogan "Lower priced for a reason." Products were wrapped in clear cellophane, plain brown paper labels and red writing. Mujirushi Ryōhin's drive to cut retail prices for consumers saw the company cutting waste by, for example, selling U-shaped [[spaghetti]], the left-over part that is cut off to sell straight spaghetti.<ref>{{cite news |title=Your life in their hands |url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2005/sep/18/fashion.shopping |work=The Guardian |date=September 18, 2005}}</ref><ref>[http://ryohin-keikaku.jp/eng/ir/business_info/ Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd. | Business Information], retrieved on 2009-10-02.</ref>

In 1981, Seiji Tsutsumi, the president of the Seiyu Ryutsu group proposed opening a dedicated shop for Mujirushi Ryōhin products. Although the idea was rejected by the directors of Seiyu, the advisory board of the company supported the idea, proposing the idea of a shop positioned against mass production. The company began to develop products that would allow the shop to expand from a supermarket product range to an independent product company. Such products included food, clothing, stationery, and household goods.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|last=Bartal|first=Ory|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctvzgb83c|title=Critical design in Japan: Material culture, luxury, and the avant-garde|date=2020|publisher=Manchester University Press|jstor=j.ctvzgb83c|isbn=978-1-5261-3997-9|edition=1}}</ref>

In 1983, the first directly operated Mujirushi Ryōhin store opened in [[Aoyama, Tokyo|Aoyama]], Tokyo. In 1985, Mujirushi Ryōhin started overseas production and procurement, started to place direct factory orders in 1986, and in 1987 Muji started to develop materials globally. And it was a real success. 

In 1989, Ryohin Keikaku Ltd became the manufacturer and retailer for all Mujirushi Ryōhin products and operations, including planning, development, production, distribution and sale.

In 1991, Mujirushi Ryōhin opened its first international store in [[London]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=How to Build an Iconic Brand – by Muji Founding Board Member Kazuko Koike |url=https://www.dandad.org/en/d-ad-how-build-iconic-brand-muji-founding-board-member-features-opinions/#:~:text=It%20was%20back%20in%201991,private%20brand%20for%20a%20supermarket. |access-date=2025-01-01 |website=D&AD |language=en}}</ref>

In 1995, shares in "Muji Tsunan Campsite" were registered as over-the-counter shares of Japan Securities Dealers Association. In 1998, Ryōhin Keikaku listed on the second section of the [[Tokyo Stock Exchange]]. From 2001 onwards, it was listed on the first section.<ref name="ryohin-corp-history">Ryohin Keikaku, [http://ryohin-keikaku.jp/eng/corporate/history/ History], retrieved on 2009-10-02. (This English-language history anachronistically refers to the company as "Muji" before "Muji" was used as a brand name.)</ref><ref name="rchj">{{cite web | url = http://ryohin-keikaku.jp/corporate/history/ | script-title=ja:企業情報{{pipe}}沿革 |trans-title=Corporate history | publisher = Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd | access-date = 2012-10-22 | language = ja }}</ref> In April 2001 they issued the '''Muji Car 1000''' (ムジ・カー 1000), a limited release of 1,000 badgeless and decontented [[Nissan Micra#K11|Nissan Marches]], only available online. Intended as an exercise to test their online marketing systems it was developed together with [[Nissan]]. The spartanly equipped little car (with the rear seat upholstered in vinyl, for instance) was only offered in "marble white".<ref name=MujiCar>{{cite web | url = http://ryohin-keikaku.jp/news/2001_0419_1.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20040813072033/http://ryohin-keikaku.jp/news/2001_0419_1.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = 2004-08-13 | script-title = ja:良品計画、ムジ・ネットが日産自動車との共同開発車を発売 | trans-title = Muji, Muji-net launches car developed jointly with Nissan | date = 2001-04-19 | format = News Release | language = ja | publisher = Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd | access-date = 2012-10-22 }}</ref>

[[File:Muji Olympian City interior 2016.jpg|thumb|Muji store in [[Olympian City]], Hong Kong.]]
The brand name "Muji" appears to have been used since around 1999.<ref name="rchj" />

In 2011, the first Muji store in Aoyama was redeveloped as a concept store with products from around the world.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book|last=|title=Design|date=2021|publisher=Dorling Kindersley|isbn=978-0-241-41295-4|location=London|pages=355|oclc=1233317909}}</ref>

In 2020 and 2021, Muji faced scrutiny over the use of cotton produced under conditions of [[Xinjiang internment camps|forced labor in Xinjiang]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Japan retailer Muji downplays concerns over Xinjiang cotton|url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Retail/Japan-retailer-Muji-downplays-concerns-over-Xinjiang-cotton|access-date=2021-04-16|website=Nikkei Asia|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Segran|first=Elizabeth|date=2021-05-13|title=Muji is a beloved Japanese housewares brand. Why is it advertising its ties to forced labor?|url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90635837/muji-is-a-beloved-japanese-housewares-brand-why-is-it-advertising-ties-to-forced-labor|access-date=2021-05-15|website=[[Fast Company]]|language=en-US}}</ref> Muji subsequently stopped labelling goods as "Xinjiang cotton" in certain markets, such as Hong Kong. In December 2021, it was reported that the same Muji garments labelled simply as "organic cotton" in the Hong Kong, Taiwanese, and Japanese markets were still being sold by Muji under the "Xinjiang cotton" banner in China.<ref>{{cite news |title=【新疆棉風暴】無印同一產品中國標「新疆棉」港、台、日標「有機棉」 公司否認隱瞞 |url=https://www.rfa.org/cantonese/news/htm/hk-muji-12022021065541.html |work=Radio Free Asia |date=2 December 2021}}</ref>

==Countries of operation==
[[File:Muji Plaza Singapura, Singapore, July 2017.jpg|thumb|Muji Store in 2017, [[Plaza Singapura]], Singapore.]]
[[File:Muji Grand Front Osaka 201407.JPG|thumb|A Muji store in 2014, [[Grand Front Osaka]], Osaka, Japan.]]
[[File:Muji Store Paris.jpg|thumb|A Muji store in [[Paris]], France.]]
[[File:TW 台灣 Taiwan 中正區 Zhongzheng District 台北車站 Taipei Main Metro Station 微風台北站 Breeze Taipei Station 2nd Floor mall shop in August 2019 SSG 09.jpg|thumb|Muji Store in [[Breeze Center]], [[Taipei]], Taiwan]]
[[File:TorontoMUJI.jpg|thumb|Muji at [[Atrium on Bay]] (Toronto, Canada). The store is the largest MUJI store outside Asia.]][[File:A MUJI store in August 2020, POPARK, Guangzhou, China.png|thumb|A MUJI store in POPARK, [[Guangzhou]], [[Mainland China|Mainland]] [[China]]]]

In Japan, Ryohin Keikaku had 328 directly operated stores, and supplied 124 outlets, {{as of| 2017|08|lc=y}}.<ref name="ryohin-corp">[http://ryohin-keikaku.jp/eng/corporate/ Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd. | Corporate Information], retrieved on 2017-08-24.</ref>
Ryohin Keikaku has three factory outlets at [[Osaka]], [[Gotenba]] and [[Fukuoka, Fukuoka|Fukuoka]].<ref name="slate">[http://www.slate.com/id/2174251/ Muji, the Japanese design powerhouse, is opening U.S. stores. Hallelujah!] See also [http://www.muji.com/ MUJI Global], retrieved on 2009-10-02.</ref>

There were 579<ref name=":0" /> International retail outlets {{as of|2022|8|lc=y}}, located in [[Denmark]] (1) [[UK]] (7), [[Finland]] (1), [[France]] (7), [[Italy]] (6), [[Germany]] (7), [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]] (1), [[Spain]] (4), [[Poland]] (1), [[Portugal]] (1), [[United States]] (10), [[Canada]] (9), [[Hong Kong]] (19), [[Macau]] (1), [[Singapore]] (15), [[Malaysia]] (9), [[South Korea]] (40), [[Mainland China]] (325), [[Taiwan]] (58), [[Thailand]] (27), [[Australia]] (5), [[Philippines]] (9), [[Bahrain]] (2), [[Kuwait]] (3), [[Qatar]] (2), [[Saudi Arabia]] (5), [[UAE]] (7), [[Oman]] (1), [[India]] (3), [[Vietnam]] (3).<ref name="ryohin-corp" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.muji.com/storelocator/?c=ca|title=MUJI {{pipe}} Store Locator|website=www.muji.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.muji.us/store-info/ |title=Store Info {{pipe}} MUJI USA |access-date=2014-07-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140701223114/http://www.muji.us/store-info/ |archive-date=2014-07-01 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Muji had operations in [[Indonesia]], [[Turkey]], [[Sweden]] and [[Switzerland]] in the past but has closed operations due to its low sales and other circumstances.<ref>{{cite web |title=Muji bricht seine Zelte in der Schweiz ab |language=de |url=https://www.konsider.ch/muji-schliesst-online-shop-glattzentrum-schweiz-20231204}}</ref>

=== American operations ===
Muji entered the US market in 2002; its products were stocked at [[Museum of Modern Art|MOMA]], New York.<ref name=":2" />

Muji opened its first American store on November 16, 2007, in [[SoHo, Manhattan]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://info.muji.us/2007/10/25/muji-soho-the-first-muji-store-in-the-us-opens-at-1200-noon-on-november-16-2007/|title=Muji Soho, the first Muji store in the US, opens at 12:00 noon on November 16, 2007}}</ref> In 2008, it opened two more stores in Manhattan: one in [[Times Square]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Muji opens US flagship store in the New York Times Building |url=https://info.muji.us/2008/05/21/muji-opens-us-flagship-store-in-the-new-york-times-building-at-1200-pm-noon-on-friday-may-30-2008/}}</ref> and one in [[Chelsea, Manhattan|Chelsea]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Muji opens Chelsea store at 1:00 pm on Friday, November 28, 2008 |url=https://info.muji.us/2008/11/19/muji-opens-chelsea-store/}}</ref>

On November 30, 2012, it opened its first store on the West Coast in [[South of Market, San Francisco]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Muji will open its first store on the West Coast on November 30, 2012 at SoMa in San Francisco|url=https://info.muji.us/2012/11/14/muji-will-open-its-first-store-on-the-west-coast-on-november-30-2012-at-soma-in-san-francisco/}}</ref> The San Francisco store, the Hollywood store, and the Santa Monica store are now permanently closed.

In [[New York City]], Muji supplies products to a design store at the [[Museum of Modern Art]] and maintains a flagship store.<ref name="slate" /> {{As of|2023|07}}, there were 7 stores in Manhattan, one in Boston, one in Portland, and another location in [[Williamsburg, Brooklyn]].<ref name="MujiUSA">{{cite web|title=Store Info {{!}} MUJI USA|url=http://info.muji.us/store-info/|website=info.muji.us|access-date=2017-04-05}}</ref>  A small branch previously operated at [[JFK International Airport]].<ref name="MujiUSA" />

In July 2020, Muji USA filed for [[Chapter 11 bankruptcy]], citing shutdowns from the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United States|COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Muji USA files for bankruptcy, citing coronavirus shutdowns |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/07/10/business/corporate-business/muji-u-s-files-bankruptcy-citing-pandemic-shutdowns/ |website=The Japan Times|date=10 July 2020 }}</ref>

==No-brand branding==
Muji's ''no-brand'' strategy ([[generic brand]]) means that little money is spent on advertisement or classical marketing, and Muji's success is attributed to word of mouth, a simple shopping experience, and the anti-brand movement. Muji's no-brand strategy also means its products are attractive to customers who prefer unbranded products for aesthetic reasons, and because it provides an alternative to traditional branded products.<ref>[http://www.venturerepublic.com/resources/Muji_The_Japanese_No-Brand.asp Muji: The Japanese 'No-Brand'] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130309024950/http://www.venturerepublic.com/resources/Muji_The_Japanese_No-Brand.asp |date=2013-03-09 }}, retrieved on 2009-10-02.</ref><ref>Matt Heig, Brand Royalty: How the World's Top 100 Brands Thrive and Survive, p. 216.</ref><ref>[http://www.emeasee.com/2007/05/24/no-brand-brand/ mac oosthuizen] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308150856/http://www.emeasee.com/2007/05/24/no-brand-brand/ |date=2012-03-08 }}, retrieved on 2009-10-02.</ref>

In terms of Muji's advertising of their products, [[Kenya Hara]] states that because customers perceived Muji in different ways, advertising would have to be used to present information rather than to communicate a message.  These customer perceptions included liking Muji's ecological approach, appreciation for their urban aesthetics, a perception of low cost, and a perception of sophisticated design.<ref name=":1" />

Muji has released a T-shirt with a rubber square on the chest for customers to design their own logo or message.<ref name="useful-agreeable">[https://web.archive.org/web/20090527173256/http://www.usefulandagreeable.com/muji.html useful + agreeable], retrieved by the Wayback Machine on 2009-05-27.{{Dubious|date=August 2011}}</ref> Muji now sells paper products (such as notebooks) which can be personalized by customers using [[rubber stamp]]s in-store at no charge. They also sell soft goods (such as T-shirts and hats) which can be [[Machine embroidery|computer embroidered]] to customer specifications, and picked up a few hours or days later.

==Design==
Muji is known for its distinctive design, which is extended throughout its more than 7,000 products. Commentators have described Muji's design style as having mundanity,<ref>[http://www.envplan.com/abstract.cgi?id=a3925 Muji, materiality, and mundane geographies], retrieved on 2009-10-02.</ref> being "no-frills", being "[[minimalist]]",<ref>[http://dvice.com/archives/2007/11/minimalist_porn_muji_store_ope.php Minimalist: Muji store opens in Soho] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140908131313/http://www.dvice.com/archives/2007/11/minimalist_porn_muji_store_ope.php |date=2014-09-08 }}, retrieved on 2009-10-02.</ref> and "[[Bauhaus]]-style".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thekpnv.blog.com/Product%20Design/ |title=Product Design « KPNV |access-date=2010-02-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100203010101/http://thekpnv.blog.com/Product%2BDesign/ |archive-date=2010-02-03 }}</ref>

Muji product design, and [[brand]] identity, is based around the selection of materials, streamlined [[manufacturing]] processes, and minimal packaging. Muji products have a limited colour range and are displayed on shelves with minimal packaging, displaying only functional product information and a price tag.<ref name="useful-agreeable" /> Detailed instructions included with the product are usually printed only in Japanese, although multilingual translations are starting to be included with some products.

===Design approach and production===
On its corporate website, Ryohin Keikaku Ltd rationalises its principles in terms of producing high quality products at "lower than usual" retail prices, true to the original Muji marketing slogan "lower priced for a reason".<ref name="ryohin-keikaku.jp" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ryohin-keikaku.jp/eng/ir/business_info/|title=Our Business {{pipe}} Investor Relations {{pipe}} Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd.|website=ryohin-keikaku.jp}}</ref> On its catalogue website Muji states that "at the heart of Muji design is the Japanese concept of ''Kanketsu'', the concept of simplicity", aiming to "bring a quiet sense of calm into strenuous everyday lives".<ref name="Muji Online - About Muji">[http://www.muji.eu/pages/ABOUT.asp?PT=1 Muji Online - About Muji], retrieved on 2009-10-02.</ref> In an interview, Hiroyoshi Azami, President of Muji USA, described Muji's design culture as centred around designing "simple" products that are basic and necessary.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://current.com/items/88874057_muji_interview_part_3_of_3 |title=MUJI Interview Part 3 of 3 // Current TV |access-date=2008-06-09 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120707110616/http://current.com/items/88874057_muji_interview_part_3_of_3 |archive-date=2012-07-07 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
[[File:Menswear in Muji Chatswood December 2024.jpg|thumb|left|Men's clothes in a Muji store in Sydney]]

In its design, Muji also follows environmental guidelines, seeking to "restrict the use of substances that may have a significant impact on people or the environment" and "reduce waste by standardising modules, facilitating disassembly, and by reducing packaging".<ref>[http://ryohin-keikaku.jp/eng/csr/ Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd. | Environmental activities — things to think about], retrieved on 2009-10-02.</ref>

The Muji design process resists technology for its own sake, and prototype designs are produced on [[paper]] rather than [[computer]]s, so as not to encourage unnecessary detail.<ref name="designtaxi.com">[http://www.designtaxi.com/features.jsp?id=303 TAXI: Direct Access - GAIN: AIGA Business and Design Conference] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071019231220/http://www.designtaxi.com/features.jsp?id=303 |date=2007-10-19 }}, retrieved on 2009-10-02.</ref> The manufacturing process is determined by the consumer's use of the product, which is a design priority. Finishes, lines, and forms are minimised for manufacturing ease.<ref name="momastore.org">[http://www.momastore.org/museum/moma/CategoryDisplay_10451_10001_11476_11590_-1__ MoMA Store - MUJI Designer Bio] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080505075209/http://www.momastore.org/museum/moma/CategoryDisplay_10451_10001_11476_11590_-1__ |date=2008-05-05 }}, retrieved on 2009-10-02.</ref>

In recent years, Muji has looked towards appreciating local culture and craftsmanship. The Found Muji line of products is a movement where Muji's designers find products and designs that follow the company's design approach, focusing on crafts and items that are used globally.<ref>{{Cite web|title=My Found MUJI East Asia Exhibition {{!}} MUJI|url=http://www.muji.com/hk-en/|access-date=2021-04-15|website=www.muji.com|language=zh-HK}}</ref>

===Designers===
Muji products are not attributed to individual designers. While Muji has stated that some of its products have been the works of famous international designers, it does not disclose who they are.<ref name="useful-agreeable" /> There are, however, some designers who made their involvement public. The most notable are [[Naoto Fukasawa]],<ref>[http://www.ideo.com/work/featured/muji Work - CD Player for Muji - IDEO] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101017152438/http://www.ideo.com/work/featured/muji |date=2010-10-17 }}, retrieved on 2010-10-08</ref>{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} [[Jasper Morrison]],<ref>[http://www.jaspermorrison.com/html/40657857.html Jasper Morrison :: Wall clock], retrieved on 2010-10-08</ref>{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} [[James Irvine (designer)|James Irvine]],<ref name="thonet">[http://www.thonet.de/en/muji.html Muji presents a new collection] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101124141346/http://www.thonet.de/en/muji.html |date=2010-11-24 }}, retrieved on 2010-10-08</ref>{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} [[Sam Hecht]],<ref>[http://www.industrialfacility.co.uk/ Industrial Facility], retrieved on 2010-10-08</ref>{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} and [[Konstantin Grcic|Konstantin Grčić]].<ref>[http://www.konstantin-grcic.com/ Konstantin Grcic Industrial Design], retrieved on 2010-10-08</ref>{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}}

Muji participates in design collaborations with other companies. In 2001, Muji and [[Nissan Motors]] produced the Muji Car 1000. This fuel efficient, low-emission, and low-cost [[limited edition]] vehicle aimed to incorporate recycled materials wherever possible. Following Muji's no-brand strategy, the car had no branding logos.<ref name="useful-agreeable" />

===Manufacturers===
Generally, Muji keeps its manufacturing sources private.

One notable exception is the brand's collaboration with [[Thonet GmbH|Thonet]], the oldest German furniture maker. In 2008, Muji and Thonet announced their cooperation to produce two lines of minimalist furniture. The first was [[bentwood]] chairs designed by [[James Irvine (designer)|James Irvine]] in homage to the iconic [[No. 14 chair]] of Thonet. The second was steel tubular chairs and desks designed by Konstantin Grčić. Roland Ohnacker, managing director of Thonet, stated that the aim was "to help 18 to 35 year-olds enter the Thonet brand world". From Spring 2009, these furniture are available at selected Muji stores.<ref name="thonet" />

===Directors===
The first art director of Muji was [[Ikko Tanaka]]. Tanaka is credited with developing the Muji concept together with [[Kazuko Koike]] (marketing consultant), and Takashi Sugimoto (interior designer). Tanaka articulated the Muji vision and appearance, and he provided ideas and prototypes that visualized the design strategy.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1991/11/28/garden/if-you-want-to-make-an-understatement.html?sec=&spon= If You Want to Make an Understatement], retrieved on 2009-10-02.</ref> Tanaka's design strategy included brown paper and clear cellophane packaging.<ref name=":2" /> In 2001, [[Kenya Hara]], an internationally recognized graphic designer and curator, took over as art director. He stated that:

<blockquote>
I found that the company was at a standstill with the original idea, 'No design', which was advocated at its inception. They also had more than 250 outlets and sold more than 5,000 items, including products that deviated from the initial Muji concept or were low cost, but of substandard quality.<ref name="thememagazine.com">[http://www.thememagazine.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=78&Itemid=121 Getting Gross with Devin Flynn] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080618194413/http://www.thememagazine.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=78&Itemid=121 |date=2008-06-18 }}, retrieved on 2009-10-02.</ref>
</blockquote>

Kenya Hara has been credited as key figure in further developing Muji.<ref>[http://aigany.org/index.php/blog/article/desging_design/ Designing Design] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907160346/http://aigany.org/index.php/blog/article/desging_design |date=2008-09-07 }}, retrieved on 2009-10-02.</ref> Hara has a background in graphic design, hence had experience in designing [[packaging]] and corporate identities.<ref>[http://www.thememagazine.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=78&Itemid=121 Young Jean Lee's New York City based theater company initial run of The Shipment, sold out. We are glad she left Berkeley and came over to our side.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080618194413/http://www.thememagazine.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=78&Itemid=121 |date=2008-06-18 }}, retrieved on 2009-10-02.</ref> Beyond that, he is credited with significantly moulding the Muji brand and design identity. In an interview in 2005, Hara stated that "Everything in the world has become an object of interest for me. Everything is designed."<ref name="thememagazine.com" /> Hara has published books on design philosophy, most recently ''Designing Design''.<ref>[https://www.springer.com/birkhauser/architecture+&+design/book/978-3-03778-105-0 Designing Design] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090521170212/http://www.springer.com/birkhauser/architecture+%26+design/book/978-3-03778-105-0 |date=2009-05-21 }}, Hara, Kenya, 2nd printing, 2008, 467 p. 389 illus., 326 in color., Dustjacket
, {{ISBN|978-3-03778-105-0}}.</ref>

[[Sam Hecht]], Creative Director of Muji Europe, is quoted as saying "The human is not the centre of everything, but on the same level of everything".<ref name="designtaxi.com" />

===Design awards and competition===
In 2005, Muji was awarded five gold product design awards by the [[International Forum Design]] in [[Germany]].<ref name="ryohin-corp-history" />

In 2006, Muji held its first international design competition, "Muji Award 01".<ref name="ryohin-corp-history" /> In 2007, Chen Jiaojiao published a book on Muji design and brand entitled "Brands A-Z: Muji".

==Following==
The Berlin correspondent for ''[[The New York Times]]'' reports that the [[Japanese people|Japanese]] call Muji-fans "Mujirers". Muji's international stores and The Muji Catalogue mainly retail Muji home consumer goods, furniture and clothing, while Muji Japan sells in a wide range of sectors, including food, bicycles, camp sites, phones, yoga, florists, cafes, and concept houses.<ref name="nytimes-moment">Nick Currie, "[http://themoment.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/06/06/the-post-materialist-muji-obsession/ The Post-Materialist {{pipe}} Muji Obsession]", ''The New York Times'', 6 June 2008; retrieved on 2009-10-02. The Japanese term is in fact ''mujirā'' ({{nihongo2|ムジラー}}); see for example [http://www.fashion-j.com/bb/muji.html this page] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110824110722/http://www.fashion-j.com/bb/muji.html |date=2011-08-24 }} of fashion-j.com. {{in lang|ja}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{col-start}}
{{col-break}}
; Official websites
* [http://www.muji.net/ www.muji.net] Official Japanese site {{in lang|ja}}
* [http://www.muji.com/ www.muji.com] Global site
* [http://ryohin-keikaku.jp/eng/ Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd.] Corporate site
{{col-break}}
; Unofficial materials
{{commons category|Muji}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130928040021/http://japanese.lingualift.com/blog/muji-japanese-brand/ "MUJI: The Japanese brand without a brand"]
* [https://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/09/magazine/09CONSUMED.html "Museum Quality"] -(''New York Times'' article on Muji in MoMa)
* [http://www.studiobanana.tv/2009/08/11/sbtv-interviews-shoji-ito/ Interview with Shoji Ito, Design and Art director of MUJI] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120724004717/http://studiobanana.tv/2009/08/11/sbtv-interviews-shoji-ito/ |date=2012-07-24 }}
{{col-end}}

{{Pen manufacturers}}
{{Authority control}}

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[[Category:Retail companies established in 1980]]
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