In collaboration with a local company, we updated hospital uniforms with denim. Tetsuji-kai launches a new project rooted in the community

In collaboration with a local company, hospital uniforms are updated with denim. Tetsujikai launches a new project rooted in the community ​
Tetsujikai Medical Corporation Press release: April 15, 2025 In collaboration with a local company, we updated hospital uniforms with denim. Tetsuji-kai launches a new project rooted in the community Tetsujikai Medical Corporation (located in Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture) has announced a project to change the uniforms of its staff to denim material. This initiative was realized through industrial collaboration with local denim
manufacturers. Tetsujikai Medical Corporation (location: 3-4-13 Okinogami-cho, Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture, Chairman: Takeshi Udaka) operates six hospitals and clinics in Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture. We announced a new project to create hospital uniforms from denim material in collaboration with local companies, with the aim of strengthening ties with the local community, making it easier for staff to work, and promoting the local brand.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/149452/3/149452-3-62baabb3ecd9ac57b4b9fd77fc49f4f9-500×500.jpg First sample (left tunic, right dress)
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/149452/3/149452-3-e7cbef5d4e2cf3b6f1b4275424aec7e4-500×500.jpg First sample (scrub)
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/149452/3/149452-3-07695c31c84d96ed8e230331620b8a63-500×500.jpg First sample (white denim) This initiative was realized through industrial collaboration with local denim manufacturers “Shinohara Textile”, “Kaihara Co., Ltd.”, and “C2 Co., Ltd.”. By collaborating with medical care and local industry, we aim to both promote the appeal of the region and make it easier to work in the medical field.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/149452/3/149452-3-1bd7384ba568deac06ac0cdb17662305-940×316.jpg Shinohara Textile Co., Ltd.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/149452/3/149452-3-c373234d5a66402ef05cf5dc27d383eb-450×183.png Kaihara Co., Ltd.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/149452/3/149452-3-12d027699ef08f8ec3e4a08f941ba1b9-662×357.jpg C2 Co., Ltd.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/149452/3/149452-3-7180fd33d485659249f7398da26637b2-878×365.jpg Medical Corporation Tetsujikai ■Background and Purpose Tetsujikai’s philosophy is “medical care that moves together with the community,” and we have provided medical care that is close to local residents. The purpose of this “uniform renewal project” is to utilize “Fukuyama denim”, a locally-rooted material, to bring local resources into the medical field, improve staff motivation, and promote the local brand at the same time. ■Characteristics of the uniform In this initiative, we collaborated with long-established denim manufacturers based in Fukuyama City, such as Shinohara Textile Co., Ltd., Kaihara Co., Ltd., and C2 Co., Ltd., to develop uniforms that are both functional and stylish and suitable for medical settings. From the perspective of ease of movement for medical workers and infection control, we are proceeding with a design that incorporates the following innovations. – Special denim material with excellent stretch and breathability – Antibacterial and deodorizing treated for hygiene safety – Easy to put on and take off and resistant to washing – Express your individuality with the muted indigo color and fading that is unique to denim -A design that revamps the image of hospital uniforms with a simple design – Uniforms that don’t look like uniforms Denim material not only has excellent breathability and durability, but the more you use it, the more its texture increases, revealing the individuality of each employee. It also has a softer feel, which is different from traditional medical white coats, and is expected to have the effect of reducing the sense of distance between patients. In addition, by exposing Fukuyama-produced denim to many patients, we hope that denim as a symbol of Fukuyama will become more well-known. In the future, we plan to use this initiative to increase interest in the medical field, secure an advantage in recruitment, and develop local human resources. ■Types of uniforms currently in production ・One Piece ・Tunic ・Scrub ・White denim We are proceeding with the production of these four types of uniforms. Uniforms to be worn are selected depending on the type of job. ■Chairman’s Comment Regarding this project, Tetsujikai Chairman Takeshi Udaka commented as follows. “Uniforms are the face of a hospital.We started with the idea that by wearing warm, locally made denim instead of a white coat, we could shorten the distance with patients even a little. We are confident that by incorporating the techniques that have been cultivated in the region into the medical field, we will be able to create uniforms that will make each and every employee feel proud of being a member of the community. We will continue to take on challenges as a liaison between the community and medical care. ” ■Comment from Shinohara Textile Co., Ltd.
(Representative Director Yuki Shinohara) We are really happy that Tetsujikai, a medical company with roots in Fukuyama, is interested in Fukuyama denim and will be producing denim uniforms for us. We hope that the collaboration of “Medical x Denim” will give people living in Fukuyama a chance to learn about the charm of Fukuyama again and fall in love with it even more. We also hope that it will provide new motivation and pride for all the medical workers who wear this uniform. Thank you very much for your interest in this wonderful project! ■Comment from Kaihara Co., Ltd. (Mr. Katsuyuki Nakano, Sales Department) Thank you very much for letting us know about your denim scrub uniform. As a hospital in Fukuyama, we have chosen a denim material that is not often used in medical settings, and the design has been made into an innovative sweatshirt type that embodies the concept of scrubs, making the uniform perfect for the First Penguin. It is a great honor for our company to be able to participate in this “Uniform Renewal Project” and we would also like to express our sincere gratitude to your clinic for promoting Fukuyama-produced denim as a local brand. I hope that I can continue to play a role in your hospital’s new challenges. ■Future developments This uniform is scheduled to be gradually introduced at all six facilities within the Tetsujikai Group, including Hori Hospital and Higashitejo Clinic, from around December 2025. In addition, we are considering further improvements and series expansion based on the wear data after introduction. After the uniforms are completed, we are also planning to hold exhibitions and public participation events with the theme of “community medical care x denim” to provide opportunities for local residents to widely learn about our efforts.
For inquiries regarding this matter, please contact us Section Manager, Public Relations and New Business Department, Medical Corporation Tetsujikai Telephone: 080-4781-6588 Email: a-yamamoto@hori.or.jp Person in charge: Ayaka Yamamoto