Seki City Scissors Industry Valued at 12 Billion Yen
Seki City’s scissors production is valued at approximately 12.45 billion yen, cementing the Gifu Prefecture city’s position as the dominant force in global professional hairdressing scissors manufacturing. The figure encompasses production from over 100 cutlery manufacturers operating within the city, accounting for approximately 99% of Japan’s hairdressing scissors output.
The Scale of Production
Japan is home to over 200 scissor manufacturers serving the professional hairdressing market. The vast majority of these are concentrated in or connected to Seki City’s production ecosystem. Even manufacturers headquartered elsewhere often source components — blades, handles, pivot mechanisms — from Seki’s specialised workshops.
The city’s bungyosei (分業制) division-of-labour system enables this concentration. Rather than each manufacturer handling every production step internally, Seki’s network of specialised workshops divides the process: one shop forges blanks, another grinds blades, another fits handles, another assembles and adjusts the finished product. This system allows even small brands to produce high-quality scissors by accessing the same pool of specialist craftspeople.
Pricing Across the Market
Professional scissors in Japan span an enormous price range. Standard professional models typically cost between 30,000 and 50,000 yen (approximately $200-$350 USD), representing the core working market for salon stylists. These scissors generally use established steels like VG-10 or AUS-8 with reliable construction and good edge retention.
Premium handmade models climb to several hundred thousand yen, reflecting individual craftsman production, proprietary steels, and extensive hand-finishing. At the extreme end, bespoke scissors — custom-made to a specific stylist’s hand measurements, cutting style, and preferences — can exceed 1,000,000 yen ($6,500+ USD).
The bespoke segment is small in volume but significant in reputation. Scissors at this price point often involve direct consultation between the craftsman and stylist, multiple fitting sessions, and months of production time.
International Significance
Seki’s output feeds both domestic and international markets. Japanese scissors are exported to more than 20 countries, with the US, Australia, and several European markets representing the largest international demand. The “Made in Seki” designation carries weight internationally, much as “Made in Solingen” does for German cutlery.
The Workforce Question
One challenge facing the industry is workforce succession. Many of Seki’s most skilled craftspeople are in their 60s and 70s. Training a new scissors craftsman to full competence takes approximately 10 years. The industry is actively working to attract younger workers, but the combination of long training periods and the physical demands of the work makes recruitment difficult.
The 12.45 billion yen valuation reflects current production. Maintaining it in the decades ahead will depend on whether the next generation of craftspeople can be trained to replace those who retire.