Aderans Co., Ltd., a global leader in hair, beauty, health and medical wellness, held the "57th Aderans All-Japan Skills Competition" on Jan. 20 at the Zenriren Building in Shibuya, Tokyo. The competition was organized to further enhance the company's management philosophy of delivering "technological expertise."
The Aderans All-Japan Skills Competition, first held in 1980, is a traditional company event. This year's competition featured four Aderans categories: the Free Style Category (Men's and Ladies' Divisions), which evaluates technical expertise in wig creation, cutting, and blow styling; the Aderans Role Play Division, which evaluates product knowledge and customer service skills; and the New Stylist Category for employees within their first three years of joining the company as new graduates. Winners were selected from among 960 eligible licensed hairstylists, as of Jan. 29, 2026, working across Aderans and Ladies' Aderans salons and domestic business units nationwide.
In addition, the Fontaine Role-Play Division and the Fontaine Styling Division were first introduced in 2017 as a competition in customer service skills and technical skills, including cutting and styling ready-made wigs. The competition includes two divisions: the Fontaine Role-Play Division, which focuses on customer service skills, and the Fontaine Styling Division, which focuses on technical skills. Winners were selected in each division from among 619 eligible sales staff, as of Jan. 29, 2026, working at Fontaine department stores, company-owned shops, and GMS locations nationwide.
Contestants selected from across Japan competed in their respective disciplines, with winners determined by judges' votes. Of the six winners, three were from the Kyushu Sales Division.
57th Fiscal Year Aderans All-Japan Skills Competitions
From left: Nobuo Nemoto, Chairman; Chieko Suzaki, Aderans Role Play Division winner; Yuu Taguchi, Fontaine Role Play Division winner; Sakura Chikamatsu, New Stylist Category winner; Rina Sakano, Fontaine Styling Division winner; Hitoshi Fujiwara, Free Style Category Men's Division winner; Yachiyo Tsujimura, Free Style Category Ladies Division winner; and Hiromasa Suzuki, President.
■Event Overview
Date: Jan. 20, 2026
Venue: Zenriren Building, Tokyo
Judges: A total of 29, including Chairman Nobuo Nemoto, President Hiromasa Suzuki, and Directors and Executive Officers of Aderans Co., Ltd.
■ Free Style Category
Contestants attach wigs they had created to mannequins and completed cutting and styling within one hour, competing based on self-defined themes with full creative freedom in hair length, volume and color combinations. All contestants use semi-permanent "hair systems" designed for continuous wear. The Men's Division uses the new product AD Neo Fit, released in August 2025. The Ladies' Division uses evePremier Rakul, released in September 2025. Both technical skill and product knowledge, including handling of hair materials, were key evaluation criteria.
• Men's Division Winner
Theme: "MELLOW COLORS"
・Ladies Division Winner
Theme: "In an Era of Unprecedented Uncertainty and Chaos"
■New Stylist Category
Contestants compete in wig attachment and styling techniques based on a predefined style. The category was reintroduced in 2003 to support skill development and motivation among younger employees. Contestants are given 30 minutes to attach pre-cut and pre-curled wigs to mannequins and style them according to the assigned look. Judges evaluate efficiency, precision, and how closely the final result matches the predefined style.
• New Stylist Category Winner
■ Aderans Role Play Division
Contestants compete in product knowledge and customer interaction skills through pre-submitted videos. This year's scenario focused on recommending a new product to a customer. Judges evaluate the accuracy of responses, communication skills, and professional demeanor to determine the winner.
■Fontaine Role Play Division
Contestants demonstrate the full customer experience, from initial consultation to wig fitting, within 10 minutes, competing in personalization and customer service skills. Judges evaluate contestants based on five criteria: hospitality, communication skills, product knowledge, overall customer experience, and the ability to enhance the customer's appearance and confidence.
■Fontaine Styling Division
Contestants perform cutting and styling within 60 minutes based on self-defined themes. The wigs used in the competition are from the VALAN® and VALAN PREMIUM® brands, both known for their natural texture achieved through a blend of synthetic fibers and human hair. Contestants are free to select the product model and set their own theme.
• Fontaine Styling Division Winner
Theme: "Making Everyday Life a Little More Special"
■ About the Aderans All-Japan Skills Competition
The Aderans All-Japan Skills Competition is our traditional event which started in 1980. This is an opportunity for our hairstylists across Japan not only to compete in their skills, styles, and creativity but also to inspire each other, thereby integrating the education and training they have received. Striving to provide the product excellence that can truly satisfy customers, we are committed to continuing our efforts to embody our management philosophy of Product Excellence, Technological and Technical Expertise, and Sincere Hospitality.
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