OREANDA-NEWS. June 06, 2011. Fast Retailing filed a lawsuit with the Tokyo District Court against Bungeishunju Ltd. Fast Retailing regards the content of Bungeishunju's publications, the weekly magazine Shukan Bunshun and the book UNIQLO Teikoku no Hikari to Kage (The glory and disgrace of UNIQLO), to have unjustly undermined public trust in and the reputation of Fast Retailing and its subsidiaries that manage the UNIQLO casual wear brand. Fast Retailing seeks to have Bungeishunju cease publication of and withdraw the said publications, issue a public apology and pay compensation for damages.

Since opening its first UNIQLO store in 1984, Fast Retailing has constantly endeavored to offer high-quality casual wear at affordable prices. The company has been fortunate to enjoy the support of many consumers, and, as a result, UNIQLO currently has approximately 1,000 stores worldwide and net sales of over 670 billion yen. This success is directly the result of Fast Retailing's business model, which integrates everything from product design, manufacture and distribution to retail sale.

Nevertheless, the publications that are named in this suit portray UNIQLO as forcing extremely severe and inhumane working conditions upon its store managers and other employees in the management of its stores, as well as putting workers into extremely harsh, slave-like labor conditions at the overseas factories to which it consigns product manufacturing. The said publications convey the impression that Fast Retailing's profits have been built upon the pain and suffering of the individuals employed in its stores and the factories that manufacture its products.

Fast Retailing could not overlook the damage to its reputation and the loss in public trust precipitated by the content of these publications and had no choice but to resort to legal action to defend Fast Retailing and the UNIQLO brand.