jMAX
jMAX is a Kobe-based, privately held Japanese health-footwear manufacturer that sells patented insoles and ankle supports, primarily through department-store consultation events and Yahoo Shopping, to consumers with foot-misalignment-related knee, back, and posture issues.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2007
- HeadquartersKobe, Japan
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What jMAX does
jMAX Co., Ltd. (株式会社jMAX) is a Kobe-based, privately held Japanese health-footwear manufacturer founded in 2007 (originally as Suma Walking Research Institute). The company develops and sells patented walking-related products aimed at consumers suffering knee pain, lower back pain, and posture problems caused by foot misalignment. Its active portfolio consists of the Bi Form Lab Insole — a managed medical device launched in March 2022 that combines a patented convex/concave structure with magnetic technology — and the jMAX Sports Support (Normal and Wide variants), an ankle support developed with orthopedic surgeons based on traditional taping methods. Two flagship SKUs, the Bi Form Lab Shoes and jMAX Sandals, have been discontinued. The company's underlying technology rests on Japanese patents (2010, 2013) plus EU Patent No. 2641495 (2018) and a Thailand patent (2019), and it holds medical device manufacturing registration (No. 28BZ200163).
jMAX monetizes exclusively through one-time hardware sales to end consumers. Products are sold via an official Yahoo Shopping storefront and, more prominently, through rotating temporary exhibition booths and foot-consultation events at major Japanese department stores including Mitsukoshi, Isetan, Kintetsu, Entetsu, Tokiwa, Hiroshima Fukuya, and Keihan stores. The event-led go-to-market is supplemented by educational outreach at hospitals and Kobe Silver College lectures, plus Instagram content marketing and Amazon Kindle titles authored by founder/CEO Masatoshi Takayama. The company is registered as a managed medical device sales business and manufacturer, and has received Kobe Selection certifications in 2015, 2016, and 2020. There are no disclosed external funding rounds, institutional investors, subsidiaries, or M&A activity; ownership appears to remain founder-controlled.
jMAX firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- jMAX
- Legal name
- 株式会社jMAX
- Website
- https://suma-jmax.jp
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2007
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- jMAX is a Kobe-based, privately held Japanese health-footwear manufacturer that sells patented insoles and ankle supports, primarily through department-store consultation events and Yahoo Shopping, to consumers with foot-misalignment-related knee, back, and posture issues.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
jMAX industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Orthopedic Health Footwear
- NAICS
- Footwear Manufacturing (31621), Shoe Retailers (45821)
- SIC
- Orthopedic, Prosthetic & Surgical Appliances & Supplies (3842), Footwear, (No Rubber) (3140), Retail-Shoe Stores (5661)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Comfort, Orthopedic & Medical Footwear (CRAAACAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Specialty & Orthopedic Footwear Manufacturing (Medical/Diabetic/Custom) (IMAOAIAI), Foot Care & Orthotics OTC (Corn/Callus Care, Insoles, Athlete’s Foot Treatments) (CRADAMAL), Compression Therapy & Lymphedema DME (Garments, Pneumatic Pumps) (HLAHAMAH)
Keywords
Where jMAX is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Kobe
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
jMAX business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Product Sales (Shoes, Supports, Insoles): Direct sales of proprietary health walking shoes, ankle supports, and magnetic insoles through e-commerce (Yahoo Shopping) and department store events. Products are sold as one-time purchases with prices varying by product type and size.
- E-commerce Sales: Products sold through the company's official Yahoo Shopping store, with separate product pages for different items including shoes, supports, and insoles.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | jMAX Sports Support - Normal Type |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | jMAX Sports Support - Wide Type |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | 美・フォームラボシューズ (Bi Form Lab Shoes) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | 美・フォームラボ・インソール (Bi Form Lab Insole) |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels4 records
jMAX product offering
Product offeringCore offering
jMAX (株式会社jMAX) develops, manufactures, and sells patented health walking footwear, ankle supports, and managed medical-device magnetic insoles. Its core products are built around a proprietary sole structure and taping-based ankle support designed to correct foot misalignment, distribute weight evenly across the sole, and address knee pain, lower back pain, O-leg conditions, and posture problems. The company sells Bi Form Lab Insoles, jMAX Sports Support (Normal and Wide), and previously Bi Form Lab Shoes and jMAX Sandals.
Product overview
jMAX is a managed medical device manufacturer specializing in foot health products. The product portfolio consists of three main categories: insoles (Bi Form Lab Insole) that reproduce the patented shoe shape in everyday footwear; ankle supporters (jMAX Sports Support and Wide version) based on orthopedic taping theory; and discontinued shoe products (Bi Form Lab Shoes and Sandals). The products share a common focus on foot posture correction, load distribution, and arch support through patented structures and design innovations. All products are manufactured in Japan.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Bi Form Lab Insole (美・フォームラボ・インソール) A managed medical device insole that reproduces the patented Bi Form Lab shoe structure for use in everyday shoes. Uses magnetic force combined with a patented uneven bump to improve foot blood circulation, reduce stiffness, and alleviate swelling and fatigue. Designed for consumers with foot fatigue and circulation concerns.
- jMAX Sports Support (jMAXスポーツサポート) - Normal Type An ankle supporter based on taping theory, jointly developed with an orthopedic surgeon. Lifts the arch of the foot and tightens the sole to fix the foot in its original functional shape. Ultra-thin design fits inside regular shoes. Available in sizes S (22.0cm-23.5cm) to LL (26.0cm-27.5cm) in Black, Red, and Orange. Targeted at active individuals and people with foot alignment issues.
- jMAX Sports Support Wide (jMAXスポーツサポート・ワイド) Wide version of the jMAX Sports Support with an expanded foot sole section providing stronger arch lift. Recommended for people with soft feet, women, and those who stand for long periods. Available in Black, Red, and Lavender.
- Bi Form Lab Shoes (美・フォームラボシューズ) Health walking shoes with patented sole structure that allows the soles to be used straight, fitting the complex shape of the foot sole. Reduces uneven load, corrects foot center of gravity, and promotes natural upright posture. Ladies sizes 22.0cm-25.0cm and men's sizes 25.0cm-27.0cm; made with Japanese leather in Japan. Adopted by orthopedic surgeons for cartilage regeneration treatment and HOMBD therapy. Production discontinued.
- jMAX Sandals (jMAXサンダル)
Quantifiable outcome
- Products adopted by orthopedic surgeons as treatment tools for cartilage regeneration therapy and HOMBD therapy
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use jMAX
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
jMAX technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
jMAX partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Orthopedic Surgeons (Joint Research Partners)coreJoint research with orthopedic surgeons started in December 2010, with products used as treatment tools in clinical settings. The company collaborated with orthopedic surgeons to develop the jMAX Sports Support based on traditional taping methods used in orthopedic clinics. Products have been adopted for use in advanced treatments including cartilage regeneration therapy and HOMBD therapy.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
jMAX competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- OrthoFeet: OrthoFeet specializes in orthopedic and diabetic-friendly comfort shoes with biomechanically engineered soles. It is a direct competitor in the orthopedic comfort footwear category, sharing jMAX's focus on pain relief and foot alignment.
- Powerstep: Powerstep manufactures podiatrist-designed orthotic insoles and ankle supports. It is a direct competitor to jMAX in the medical-grade insole and foot support category, with similar product positioning and a stronger US retail distribution.
- Aetrex: Aetrex is a US-based comfort and orthopedic footwear brand with a strong insole business and orthotic technology. It directly competes with jMAX in the comfort/orthopedic footwear and medical-grade insole category, with similar emphasis on foot biomechanics and arch support.
- Superfeet Worldwide: Superfeet is a leading premium insole brand with patented structured arch support technology. It competes head-to-head with jMAX's Bi Form Lab Insole in the performance and orthopedic insole category, with a global distribution footprint jMAX currently lacks.
- Spenco Medical: Spenco is a US-based medical insole and foot care brand offering orthotic insoles, heel cushions, and sports supports. It directly overlaps with jMAX's insole and ankle support product lines, both targeting foot pain, posture, and biomechanical correction.
Emerging players
- Currex (CurrexSole): Currex makes sport-specific dynamic insoles with arch profiling technology. It is an emerging player with partial overlap to jMAX's insole business, focused more on athletic performance than clinical pain relief.
Broad incumbents
- ASICS: ASICS is a major Japanese athletic footwear brand with extensive walking, orthotic, and gait science research. It is a broad incumbent competitor in the Japanese market where jMAX also operates, with far greater R&D and distribution resources.
- HOKA One One: HOKA is a premium maximalist running and walking footwear brand owned by Deckers, with a strong comfort and biomechanics narrative. It competes with jMAX's Sports Support and walking products in the active consumer comfort footwear category.
- Birkenstock: Birkenstock is the global leader in contoured comfort footwear with a deep orthopedic heritage and proprietary footbed technology. It competes in jMAX's core comfort/orthopedic footwear category at much greater scale and brand recognition, recently completing an IPO.
- Dr. Scholl's (Baymed / Scholl's Wellness): Dr. Scholl's is a globally recognized foot care brand offering insoles, orthotics, and foot health products. It competes with jMAX in the consumer foot care and insole category at mass-market scale, though with less clinical/medical device positioning.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
jMAX social profiles
Digital presencejMAX compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance7 records
jMAX financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
jMAX leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
jMAX funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
jMAX M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about jMAX
What does jMAX do?
jMAX (株式会社jMAX) develops, manufactures, and sells patented health walking footwear, ankle supports, and managed medical-device magnetic insoles. Its core products are built around a proprietary sole structure and taping-based ankle support designed to correct foot misalignment, distribute weight evenly across the sole, and address knee pain, lower back pain, O-leg conditions, and posture problems. The company sells Bi Form Lab Insoles, jMAX Sports Support (Normal and Wide), and previously Bi Form Lab Shoes and jMAX Sandals.
Is jMAX a public or private company?
jMAX is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was jMAX founded?
jMAX was founded in 2007. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is jMAX based?
jMAX is headquartered in Kobe, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does jMAX make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Product Sales (Shoes, Supports, Insoles) is the primary driver. The others are E-commerce Sales.
Who are jMAX's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are OrthoFeet, Powerstep, Aetrex, Superfeet Worldwide and Spenco Medical. Currex (CurrexSole) is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are ASICS, HOKA One One, Birkenstock and Dr. Scholl's (Baymed / Scholl's Wellness).
Does jMAX have an API?
No public API is recorded for jMAX.
What industry is jMAX in?
jMAX's product category is Orthopedic Health Footwear. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAAACAG, Comfort, Orthopedic & Medical Footwear, with a secondary code of IMAOAIAI, Specialty & Orthopedic Footwear Manufacturing (Medical/Diabetic/Custom). Its NAICS code is 31621 and its SIC code is 3842.