Last September, Masaaki Kanai presented a compact wooden wheelchair to the crowd at Habitare. Designed by a Japanese designer and made using Finnish wood, it introduced a solution for wheelchair travellers who may have trouble with metal detectors. This gesture was not only symbolic of the friendship between the Finns and Japanese, but also a representation of Muji’s values: Creating better lives with simple and functional design, whether it’s through clothing or prefabricated homes.
What can Muji offer the Finns, who are great fans of the brand?
I think we can improve the daily lives of the Finns, not with something gorgeous or luxurious, but with simple products like cleaning tools… and even socks (laughs). We don’t have a Muji store here yet, but are getting lots of offers. We’ll need to think about the best place for the first store in Finland.
Japanese design is often thought to focus on problem-solving. What’ s a solution that has yet to …