Mizuno JP Extra

Mizuno JP Extra is a product brand associated with Mizuno Corporation, the Japanese sporting goods company founded in 1906 by Rihachi Mizuno and his brother Rizo in Osaka. Mizuno began as Mizuno Brothers' Company (水野兄弟商会), selling Western goods and baseballs, and grew into one of Japan's most established sports brands. The company's stated mission is to contribute to society through better sporting goods and the promotion of sport, and its brand slogan is "REACH BEYOND." The Runbird logo, inspired by planetary orbits and the interests of second president Kenjiro Mizuno, symbolizes dynamism and free development. Mizuno JP Extra is positioned as a Japan-oriented line within Mizuno's broader product range. Mizuno's core categories include baseball, running, golf, tennis, skiing, swimming, and other sports, as well as sportswear and lifestyle products. The company has a long history of product innovation, including early baseball gloves and balls, Japan's first domestically produced golf clubs under the "Starline" name in 1933, and the world's first catcher's mitt in 1934. Its running shoes, such as the Wave Rider series, and racing shoes like the Hyperwarp line, are well known. Mizuno operates globally but retains a strong Japanese identity, with headquarters in Osaka and a heritage of supporting Japanese sport, including the foundations of national high school baseball tournaments. The JP Extra name suggests a Japan-market edition or specification, a common practice among Japanese brands to denote domestic-market versions of products. As a product brand, Mizuno JP Extra benefits from Mizuno's reputation for quality, craftsmanship, and athlete-focused technology. Mizuno Corporation is publicly listed in Japan and continues to develop products and services that use the value of sport to enrich daily life. The brand's activities span performance sports, lifestyle, and sustainability initiatives. Mizuno JP Extra, as part of this portfolio, represents the company's commitment to serving Japanese athletes and consumers with tailored offerings.

Mizuno's history began in 1906 when Rihachi Mizuno and his younger brother Rizo founded Mizuno Brothers' Company (水野兄弟商会) in Kita-ku, Osaka. Initially selling Western goods and baseballs, the company started making athletic wear in 1907 after Rihachi was inspired by American baseball culture. In 1910 the store moved to Umeda Shindo in Osaka and was renamed Mizuno Store (美津濃商店), and baseball shoes were launched. A Tokyo branch opened in 1912, and production of baseball gloves and balls began in 1913. That same year, Mizuno held the Kansai Student Baseball Tournament, which became a foundation for today's national summer baseball tournaments. In 1916, standards for baseballs were established, and in 1917 the company acquired trademark rights for the Izuhi and Cup marks. The Kansai Student Baseball Tournament was moved to spring, forming the basis for the current spring national high school baseball tournament. In the 1920s, Mizuno expanded its product range and organizational structure. The over-sweater became a major hit in 1920 after American professional baseball players wore it during a tour of Japan. The company became the general agent for Sandströms of Sweden, and in 1921 began planning golf club production. In 1923, it reorganized as Mizuno Athletic Goods Co., Ltd. (美津濃運動用品株式会社) and began developing domestic skis. In 1927, Hickory skis were launched, and an amateur ski club was established in major cities. The Osaka Yodoyabashi head office was completed. In 1928, Mizuno began producing track spikes, an item that would be worn by many top athletes. In 1929, Rihachi Mizuno embarked on a tour of Europe and the United States, visiting 80 cities in 11 countries. The 1930s saw further innovation. In 1931, Rihachi organized the Osaka Station specialty store, and the Amagasaki Minami factory opened. In 1933, Mizuno launched its first domestically produced golf club, the "Starline." A cafeteria opened on the 7th and 8th floors of the Osaka head office. In 1934, Mizuno began manufacturing and selling the world's first catcher's mitt, focusing on the specific catching motions of catchers and first basemen. Mizuno continued to grow through the 20th century, expanding into running, tennis, skiing, swimming, and other sports. The Runbird logo, inspired by the planetary orbits that fascinated second president Kenjiro Mizuno, became the symbol of the brand. The company's brand slogan, "REACH BEYOND," expresses its commitment to always striving for the next level. Mizuno JP Extra is a product line within this heritage, representing Japan-market editions of Mizuno products. The company remains headquartered in Osaka and is publicly listed in Japan, with a global presence and a mission to contribute to society through sport.

• 1934

  Manufactured and sold the world's first catcher's mitt.

• 1933

  Launched first domestic golf club, Starline.

• 1928

  Began producing track spikes.

• 1927

  Launched Hickory skis.

• 1923

  Reorganized as Mizuno Athletic Goods Co., Ltd.

• 1920

  Over-sweater became a major hit.

• 1913

  Started production of baseball gloves and balls; held Kansai Student Baseball Tournament.

• 1910

  Renamed Mizuno Store; launched baseball shoes.

• 1907

  Began manufacturing athletic wear.

• 1906

  Founded as Mizuno Brothers' Company in Osaka.

Japanese sports brand with a heritage of craftsmanship and athlete-focused innovation, offering Japan-market product editions.

• Wave Rider running shoes

• Hyperwarp racing shoes

• Baseball gloves

• Starline golf clubs

• Catcher's mitt

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