HSC Tag authentication for Japanese professional scissors

HSC Consortium Expands Made in Japan Verification Program for Professional Scissors

· by ScissorPedia Editorial

The Hairdressing Scissors Consortium (HSC), Japan’s government-backed initiative to combat counterfeit professional scissors, continues expanding its Made in Japan verification program.

Background

HSC was founded in 2017 under Japan’s METI (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry) as part of the Japan Brand Development Project (ジャパンブランド育成事業). The initiative recognises that counterfeit scissors bearing Japanese-sounding names undermine legitimate manufacturers and put professionals at risk of using inferior tools.

The HSC Tag Program

Since April 2021, HSC member companies attach authentication tags to products that meet verified Made in Japan manufacturing standards. The program provides a straightforward verification method: if the tag is present, the scissors were manufactured in Japan under audited conditions.

Current Members

Confirmed HSC member companies include:

  • Joewell (Tokosha Co., Ltd.) — Japan’s largest dedicated scissor factory, founded 1917
  • Naruto Scissors — heritage manufacturer established 1963

The consortium expects additional manufacturers to join as the program gains international recognition.

Why It Matters

The HSC Tag addresses a specific problem identified by manufacturers like Mizutani, who warned in March 2025 that counterfeit scissors are “becoming more and more common.” The European market is particularly targeted, with counterfeiters routing products through Japan to falsely suggest Japanese origin.

For professional stylists, the HSC Tag offers a quick verification step alongside other authentication methods: checking serial numbers, buying from authorised dealers, and verifying that pricing aligns with the brand’s known range.

Resources

The HSC program represents an unusual case of government-industry collaboration specifically targeting the professional scissors market — reflecting both the economic significance of Japan’s ¥12.45 billion scissors industry and the reputational threat that counterfeits pose to Seki City’s 780-year bladesmithing heritage.