Asics spins off Onitsuka Tiger unit as brand sales jump 43%

Asics will separate its fast-growing Onitsuka Tiger business into a wholly owned subsidiary, OT Group, in a company split set to take effect on Jan. 1, 2027. The Japanese sportswear maker is restructuring a brand that has become a major profit engine as tourism to Japan rebounds and demand for retro sneakers grows abroad. Onitsuka Tiger sales rose 43% to 136.5 billion yen in the year ended December, while its profit margin reached nearly 38%, the highest among Asics' five core categories. Asics shares rose nearly 2% in Tokyo after the move, outperforming the broader TOPIX, which fell 0.7%. The company said a more independent structure should speed decision-making and strengthen the brand's global competitiveness.