AiiA Corporation

AiiA Corporation (アイア株式会社) is a Japanese company headquartered in Shibuya, Tokyo, founded on September 16, 1971, by Hiroshi Hagishima under the name Hagishima Shoji Co., Ltd. The company was renamed AiiA Corporation in 2004; the name derives from the vowels in the romanized spelling of the founder's surname, "HAGISHIMA." It is a privately held, diversified enterprise whose two main pillars are apparel and media/games, with additional operations in cosmetics, real estate, Japanese-language education, hotels, and theaters. In apparel, AiiA operates a manufacturing-retail (SPA) model and develops, manufactures, wholesales, and retails women's clothing and accessories. Its flagship brand is LOUNIE, launched in 1981, and its portfolio also includes COCO DEAL, Stola., LILLIAN CARAT, and Aiméine. These brands are distributed through commercial facilities and department stores, with frequent pop-up shops. In media, AiiA began publishing in 1994 and is known as a publisher of puzzle magazines such as "Crossword Pacross," which feature prize competitions. It later entered the game business, launching the SNS game site "I-SKY" in 2011 and releasing "Nogizaka46 Rhythm Festival" in 2017. The company also operates 2.5D musical theaters: AiiA Theater Tokyo from 2012 to 2018 and AiiA 2.5 Theater Kobe from 2019. Other businesses include the Tokyo Ikuei Japanese Language School, COB HOTEL ASAKUSA, and group companies such as Daiichi Knit Marketing, FIND FACTORY, Lohas Pharmaceutical, and salons. As of the 2020s, Tomoko Ishizawa serves as representative director; she took over from her father in 2021. The company celebrated its 55th anniversary in 2026 and has stated a goal of becoming a 100-year company.

AiiA Corporation was founded on September 16, 1971, by Hiroshi Hagishima in Shinjuku, Tokyo, as Hagishima Shoji Co., Ltd., initially for the sale of fashion accessories. In 1981, the company launched its core apparel brand LOUNIE, which became a mainstay of its retail operations. During the 1980s and beyond, it expanded into new business fields. In 1994, it entered publishing, becoming known for puzzle magazines such as "Crossword Pacross" that feature prize competitions. In 2004, the company changed its name to AiiA Corporation, derived from the vowels in the romanized spelling of the founder's surname, "HAGISHIMA." In 2011, it launched the SNS game site "I-SKY," entering the game business, and in 2017 released "Nogizaka46 Rhythm Festival." From 2012 to 2018, it operated AiiA Theater Tokyo, and from 2019, AiiA 2.5 Theater Kobe, both 2.5D musical theaters. In 2021, Tomoko Ishizawa took over as representative director from her father, the founder, and has since pursued organizational reforms. The company has diversified into cosmetics, real estate, Japanese-language education (Tokyo Ikuei Japanese Language School), hotels (COB HOTEL ASAKUSA), and other ventures. In 2026, it celebrated its 55th anniversary and launched a special anniversary site, while continuing social initiatives such as sponsoring an award for AYA-generation researchers at the YWBCH 2026 conference.

• Founded as Hagishima Shoji Co., Ltd. in Shinjuku, Tokyo by Hiroshi Hagishima.

• Launched the core apparel brand LOUNIE.

• Entered the publishing business, known for puzzle magazines such as 'Crossword Pacross'.

• Changed company name to AiiA Corporation.

• Launched the SNS game site 'I-SKY', entering the game business.

• Began operating AiiA Theater Tokyo (until 2018).

• Released the game 'Nogizaka46 Rhythm Festival'.

• Began operating AiiA 2.5 Theater Kobe.

• Tomoko Ishizawa became representative director, succeeding her father.

• Celebrated 55th anniversary and opened a special anniversary site.

A diversified Japanese lifestyle and entertainment company centered on women's apparel and media/game content, aiming to enrich daily life through fashion and entertainment.

• LOUNIE

  Core women's apparel brand launched in 1981.

• COCO DEAL

  Women's apparel brand under AiiA.

• Stola.

  Women's apparel brand under AiiA.

• LILLIAN CARAT

  Women's apparel brand under AiiA.

• Aiméine

  Apparel brand directed by influencer Ayau Uchiyama.

• Crossword Pacross

  Puzzle magazine with prize competitions published by AiiA.

• Nogizaka46 Rhythm Festival

  Game released in 2017.

• 55th Anniversary Campaign
• AYA Generation Researcher Support Special Award

1. 1AiiA Corporation official websiteaiia.co.jp
2. 2会社概要 | AiiA Corporationaiia.co.jp
3. 3【創立55周年】周年企画実施・特設サイトオープンのお知らせaiia.co.jp
4. 4国際学会「YWBCH 2026」にて「AYA世代の研究者を応援する特別賞by AiiA corporation」を創設・協賛いたしますaiia.co.jp
5. 5アイア (企業) - Wikipediaja.wikipedia.org
6. 6AiiA Corporation - Wikidatawikidata.org