AIZUWAKAMATSU, Fukushima Prefecture—Production of knapsacks for young schoolkids is at its peak in a factory here, in preparation for the new intake at elementary schools in April.
AIZUWAKAMATSU, Fukushima Prefecture—Production of knapsacks for young schoolkids is at its peak in a factory here, in preparation for the new intake at elementary schools in April.Known in Japan as "randoseru," the knapsacks are arguably a fundamental part of the uniform for youngsters walking to and from school.The factory is a new one. Raraya Co., a randoseru manufacturing and sales company from Tokyo's Shinagawa Ward, built it in August as part of ongoing effort--by a number of diverse investors--to help areas affected by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.The company recruited 23 of the 28 staff locally. By March, it plans to have assembled about 7,000 school knapsacks at the facility.Raraya also has a factory in Kawaguchi, Saitama Prefecture.