Mizuno
Mizuno Corporation · Japan
Mizuno is a Japanese sporting goods company founded in Osaka in 1906 by the brothers Rihachi and Rizo Mizuno. Listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and still led by the founding family, it is known for golf clubs, running shoes and baseball equipment and for a long record of material and product engineering.
| Founded | 1906, Osaka |
|---|---|
| Founders | Rihachi and Rizo Mizuno |
| Headquarters | Osaka, Japan |
| President | Akito Mizuno (since 2006) |
| Listing | Tokyo Stock Exchange |
| Segment | Sporting goods, footwear and apparel |
| Website | mizuno.com |
What is Mizuno?
Mizuno Corporation makes sports equipment, footwear and apparel across golf, running, baseball, volleyball, football and other sports. It is headquartered in Suminoe, Osaka, and listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Its president is Akito Mizuno, a member of the founding family, in the role since 2006.
History
Rihachi Mizuno and his younger brother Rizo founded Mizuno Brothers in Osaka in 1906, initially selling Western goods including baseballs. The company began producing athletic wear in 1907 and baseball gloves in 1913. In 1933 it launched Star Line, described as the first golf clubs produced in Japan. It took the name Mizuno Corporation in 1942, listed its shares in 1962 and opened its first American factory in Los Angeles in 1961. The current headquarters building in Suminoe was completed in 1992, and 2026 marks the company's 120th anniversary.
Products and positioning
Mizuno is a mid-market to premium performance brand. In golf it is known for forged irons and the JPX and Mizuno Pro lines; in 1990 it launched what it says were the first golf clubs with titanium heads. In running, the Wave Rider of 1997 introduced the Mizuno Wave plate, later joined by the Mizuno Enerzy foam. Baseball remains a core category in Japan.
Business model and distribution
The company sells through sporting goods retailers and specialist golf and running stores worldwide, supported by subsidiaries in major markets, its own flagship stores such as Mizuno Osaka Chayamachi (2018) and online channels.
Mizuno and technology
- 2022: opening of the MIZUNO ENGINE innovation centre at the Osaka headquarters.
- 2024: launch of 3D U-Fit shoes with 3D-printed custom midsoles.
- Shaft Optimizer 3D, a golf fitting system that uses swing data to recommend shafts.
Why it matters
Mizuno is one of Japan's oldest sporting goods makers and a long-standing example of engineering-led product development. Its family leadership and stock market listing combine long-term ownership with public reporting.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Mizuno?
Mizuno Corporation is a public company listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. It remains closely associated with the founding Mizuno family, whose member Akito Mizuno serves as president.
Where is Mizuno from?
Mizuno is Japanese. It was founded in Osaka in 1906 and is still headquartered there, in the Suminoe ward.
