Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi entering the Prime Minister's Office with her Hamano handbag, afternoon of the October 21.
Orders are pouring in for the tote bag often used by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. It is reportedly made by a long-established Japanese leather goods manufacturer.
On October 24, the company announced on its website, "Photos of the 104th Prime Minister carrying one of our bags have been featured on social media and news sites." It also apologized for shipping delays, explaining that "due to a surge in orders, deliveries are now expected by the end of January."
Bag Behind the Buzz
The bag is believed to be a black Delight Tote by Hamano Leather Crafts, a prestigious Tokyo-based brand with more than 140 years of history and a purveyor to the Imperial Household. After photos of Prime Minister Takaichi leaving her official residence for the first time on October 21 began circulating online, social media users quickly identified the handbag as a Hamano product.
According to the company's website, the tote is designed for professional women and is big enough to hold A4-size documents. It retails for ¥136,400 JPY (tax included, approximately $900). Hamano describes the bag's design as "a beautiful balance of elegance and energy." Made entirely of leather, it weighs about 700 grams and is available in around ten colors.
Local Pride in Nagano
Hamano's workshop is located in Miyota Town, Nagano Prefecture, next to Karuizawa. On October 23, Miyota Mayor Hiroshi Kozono promoted the local product on X, posting, "This bag is made right here in Miyota, next to Karuizawa. You can even purchase it through the hometown tax program."
A Pink Jetstream
It's not only Prime Minister Takaichi's handbag that has drawn attention. At her first press conference on the night of October 21 after taking office, she was seen taking notes with a pink ballpoint pen.
Each time she wrote, the pen caught viewers' eyes. Social media users quickly identified the brand and model, and inspired by Japan's first female prime minister, many began saying, "I want one too."
Posts on social media soon suggested that the pen was a Jetstream by Mitsubishi Pencil. "I think I use the same pen," one user wrote. "It's apparently sold out everywhere!" said another. "Let's all get matching ones," others added, as demand for the pen spread rapidly.
A Multifunctional Favorite
As its sudden popularity grew, a spokesperson for Mitsubishi Pencil spoke with The Sankei Shimbun on October 28. "From what we can see in the footage, it appears that Prime Minister Takaichi is using our Jetstream in light pink," the spokesperson said.
"We're deeply honored that she chose one of our pens for such an important occasion," they added. "Everyone in our company is thrilled. Since the press conference, we've received an incredible response."
The Jetstream model in question is a multifunctional pen that combines four ink colors — black, red, blue, and green — with a mechanical pencil.
"Its smooth and effortless writing feel is what makes it special," the spokesperson explained. "With its balanced design and practicality, it's ideal for many business situations, including formal settings like this one."
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(Read the article in Japanese.)
Author: The Sankei Shimbun
