Fast Retailing, which has long relied on outsourcing manufacturing to countries like China, is experimenting with bringing manufacturing in-house by way of a factory in Tokyo’s Shinonome area, which has produced Uniqlo’s first locally made, limited edition capsule collection, Nikkei Asia reports.

The ‘Made in Tokyo’ collection, which is available in Uniqlo’s central Tokyo flagship store and online, utilises the brand’s 3-D knit technique and was manufactured by machines from Fast Retailing partner Shima Seiki Manufacturing. The factory, which was unveiled in April, is operated by Innovation Factory, a joint venture between Fast Retailing and Shima Seiki.

According to Nikkei Asia, Fast Retailing plans on producing more limited edition items at the new facility for its Tokyo flagship to gauge demand, cut down on unsold inventory and superfluous production lines. In providing the retailer with a centralised base for development teams and Innovation Factory to meet and check prototypes, the Shinonome base will also shorten the retailer’s development cycle.