Porter Yoshida & Co.
Japan
Porter Yoshida & Co. is the common English name of Yoshida Co., Ltd. (Yoshida Kaban), a Japanese bag maker founded in 1935 by Kichizo Yoshida. It is best known for its Porter brand, launched in 1962, and the Tanker nylon series introduced in 1983.
| Founded | 1935 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Kichizo Yoshida |
| Company | Yoshida Co., Ltd. |
| Headquarters | Tokyo, Japan |
| Main brand | Porter (since 1962) |
What is Porter Yoshida & Co.?
Porter Yoshida & Co. is the international name of Yoshida Co., Ltd., known in Japan as Yoshida Kaban. It makes bags and luggage for casual and business use for all genders and ages, and says it keeps production consistently in Japan.
History
The company started in 1935 as Yoshida Kaban Seisakusho, founded by Kichizo Yoshida. It was reorganised as Yoshida Co., Ltd. in 1951 and moved its headquarters to Higashi-Kanda in Tokyo. The Porter brand was launched in 1962.
Brands and products
The company runs several labels:
- Porter, the main brand, launched in 1962
- Luggage Label, launched in 1984
- Yoshida, launched in 2004
- Porter Girl, launched in 2009
- POTR, whose first line was released in November 2022
The Tanker series, introduced in 1983, is a Porter staple, and other lines include Angle, Capsule, Field, Trip and Trek. Porter Classic, a separate brand launched in 2010 by a former chief director, is run by its own company and is not a Yoshida brand.
Business model and distribution
Yoshida sells through direct stores, shop-in-shops and concept shops. As of May 2019 it had 24 stores in Japan and abroad, including nine overseas in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, plus Porter Seoul and formats such as Porter Stand.
Why it matters
Porter is among the best-known Japanese bag brands, built on domestic manufacturing and a recognisable nylon range. Ownership and current leadership were not stated in the source used and are left out.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Porter from?
Porter is a Japanese brand made by Yoshida Co., Ltd. (Yoshida Kaban), a Tokyo bag maker founded in 1935. The Porter label was launched in 1962.
What is the Tanker series?
Tanker is a Porter bag series introduced in 1983 and described as one of the brand's staples.