On March 19, UNIQLO announced the full-scale launch of its functional innerwear line, "AIRism." AIRism is an underwear brand that combines the company's men's brand "Silky Dry" and women's brand "Sarafine." Boasting sales comparable to HEATTECH, which sells 100 million units annually, AIRism will be rolled out globally in 2013 as a strategic global brand following HEATTECH and Ultra Light Down. UNIQLO Chairman and President Tadashi Yanai enthusiastically stated that AIRism "will change the way people think about underwear." "This is a product that can only be made in Japan. Japanese textile manufacturers have the world's best technology. Once people experience the comfort of AIRism, it will surely be accepted in cultures like Europe, the United States, and Asia, where underwear is not worn. We want to sell AIRism worldwide as a global brand originating from Japan." AIRism's greatest feature is its smooth feel, achieved by ultra-fine fibers. Another feature is that, by focusing on physiological differences between men and women, different functionalities have been added to create a more comfortable environment inside the clothing. The men's line utilizes a special microfiber jointly developed with Toray that is extremely thin, about 1/12 the thickness of a human hair, achieving "zero discomfort" comfort. Furthermore, the addition of a "dry" (sweat-absorbing, quick-drying) function easily eliminates discomfort caused by sweat and sweat stains.

Meanwhile, the women's line uses a hybrid yarn that combines Toray's micro nylon with "cupra," a natural fiber produced exclusively by Asahi Kasei in the world, for an extremely soft feel. It also has excellent moisture absorption and release and heat dissipation functions, eliminating women's concerns such as stickiness caused by sweat and chills caused by air conditioning. "AIRism material is truly a product of Japanese technology. It was developed by bringing together the best of Japanese technology, and through repeated improvements, it is the culmination of technology striving for the best. We have realized that rather than taking it off when it's hot, it's better to wear it when it's hot. We want AIRism to change people's lives and common sense all year round," says Masaaki Nishikawa, Director of Production.

New improvements include a revised silhouette and improved sewing specifications for men's wear, enhancing comfort. Also, AIRism, made with a highly breathable mesh material, has been developed for tank tops and sleeveless T-shirts, and the number of colors and patterns has doubled to 100. A new feature for women's wear, deodorizing, was added in 2013. The product lineup has also been expanded, with the release of U-necks, tank tops, and lace camisoles. The variety has expanded to include floral and polka dot patterns, increasing the number of colors and patterns from 140 to 200, and sizes up to 3XL are available for some items. Furthermore, for kids, the line will be designed to suit children who tend to sweat easily, with features such as softness, stretch, and a cooling sensation, and will be available at an affordable price of 500 yen. The company aims to sell 53 million units this year.