Wakayama is a major area for the production of textile products in Japan.

• More than 40% of Japan's circular knitted fabrics are manufactured in Wakayama.
• A range of integrated industries specializing in yarn-twisting, yarn-dyeing, weaving, knitting, fabric-dyeing and sewing, as well as the advanced related industries such as knitting machinery industries and chemical industries for dyeing.
• The total annual turnover of these integrated textile related industries amounts to more than \100 billion across more than 300 companies.
• The textile industry of Wakayama has a history reaching back  more than 600 years.

The features of the textile made in Wakayama

• The feel, the one qualities, which says this is a fabric of the highest class, achieved with the world's best technology.
• The ability to deal with production of multiple models, in smaller lots, in a short lead-time.
• The capacity to deal with the production of bigger lots achieved through cooperation and the advantages of a fully integrated industry in Wakayama.
• The willingness to satisfy individual customer requests and accept the challenge of developing new materials in this innovative industry sector.

Many people imagine cardigans and sweaters when they hear the word "knit" in Japan, however "knit" is a general term for knitted fabrics and is widely used in many other items including T shirts, track suits, underwear, socks and leggings, mufflers, headwear and bags.
Since knit fabrics are knitted, it forms a fabric that stretches and is often referred to as "Meriyasu" in Japan.
There are two kinds of knitted fabric, the weft knit and the warp knit fabric. The weft fabric is further broken down into circular knit and slide knit.

The weft knit is a knit fabric composed of loops formed by a single yarn continuing in the horizontal direction.
The warp knit is a knit fabric composed of loops formed by a single yarn continuing in the vertical direction.
In Wakayama, most  of knitting industry produce circular knits. Fabrics produced from the circular knitting machines feature excellent stretch properties  and compared to other knitted products, provides very soft texture. They are ideal for underwear and baby wear.

In addition to the natural materials such as wool, cotton, silk and hemp yarn, synthetic fibers are prevalent. Rayon and Polyester with good chromic properties, blended fiber materials, and more recently Tencel and Lyocell are being used.

The knitting industry in Wakayama has long established expertise in natural materials such as wool and cotton.