Businessmen Fascinated by "Randoseru" in Japan

Tokyo, Dec. 18 (Jiji Press)--Backpacks that look much alike "randoseru" schoolbags have emerged as favorite commuting gear for Japanese businessmen. Randoseru, box-shaped bags made of leather or leather-like synthetic materials, have traditionally been an essential item for elementary school children in Japan as they are designed to carry textbooks and notebooks as well as stationery. A growing number of adult men now find randoseru-type bags suitable for bringing notebook computers and document files while commuting. The popularity of the backpacks has soared since Tokyo-based leather bag manufacturer Tsuchiya-Kaban launched carefully crafted randoseru for adults called "Otona Randoseru" in November last year. The maker has so far sold a limited number of Otona Randoseru for 100,000 yen per bag in several occasions and seen them sold out instantly. "The bags have been purchased by adults in a wide range of generation, from 20s to 70s," a public relation official of the company said. Sogo & Seibu Co.'s flagship Seibu department store in Tokyo's Ikebukuro district also offers randoseru-derived high-end backpacks. It sell glossy bags using bull leather for 86,400 yen apiece and those made of soft leather for 70,200 yen. Customers can also choose from black, navy blue and brown models. "The backpacks are attracting adult customers not only because they make both hands free but because they are not too casual," said an official in charge of sales of the bags. END