ASICS has officially sanctioned a simplified absorption-type company split, which will see the Onitsuka Tiger operations transition into a dedicated, wholly-owned subsidiary named OT GROUP Corporation. This pivotal reorganisation is slated to take effect on January 1, 2027, marking a new era for the iconic brand.
This decision is a direct response to Onitsuka Tiger's impressive trajectory of growth, fueled by its burgeoning international presence and increasing brand recognition. ASICS highlights the brand's successful strategy of expanding its network of directly operated stores and its effective positioning as a premier luxury lifestyle brand.
The reorganisation will endow the Onitsuka Tiger business with a more autonomous operational structure. This includes placing regional subsidiaries, which oversee critical functions such as sales and manufacturing, directly under the purview of the new entity, OT GROUP Corporation.
The shift towards an independent operating model is anticipated to facilitate swifter decision-making processes and cultivate enhanced competitiveness, uniquely tailored to Onitsuka Tiger's distinct brand characteristics. Furthermore, this move is expected to bolster the ASICS Group's overall governance framework, providing clearer visibility into segment-specific business performance and reinforcing management accountability.
The Japanese sportswear giant articulated its overarching goal for these strategic initiatives: to significantly augment the brand equity of Onitsuka Tiger, ensure sustained business expansion, and ultimately elevate the comprehensive corporate value of the ASICS Group.
Established in February 2026, OT GROUP Corporation is a fully-owned subsidiary of ASICS. It is strategically positioned to serve as the global headquarters for the luxury lifestyle business, with the Onitsuka Tiger brand at its core.
ASICS has indicated that this transaction, being an internal reorganisation between the parent company and a consolidated subsidiary, is projected to have only a negligible effect on its consolidated financial results.
The completion of this company split is contingent upon approval from OT GROUP's shareholders, with a meeting scheduled for November 16, 2026, to finalize the decision.