Yohji Yamamoto's new accessory brand, "discord," launched at the Isetan Shinjuku store on May 12th. Here's the full statement made by designer Yohji Yamamoto at the press conference held that day.

What I've been particularly interested in recently is Japan Cool. (This is) a very high-level, globally influential Japanese product, on the same level as cutting-edge Japanese industrial technology. In other words, it's a high-level creative sensibility not found anywhere else in the world. In business, this is called "software," but software is the only thing Japan exports. Meanwhile, the Japanese government only values anime and characters.

It was a disappointing situation for me. Just as I was starting to feel disappointed, Isetan contacted me and asked if I'd like to try making accessories, bags, scarves, and more. I had heard that Isetan was becoming an artistic department store after its renovation last year. So I accepted the offer, eager to help and get involved. I accepted immediately.

However, despite my 37 or 38 years of experience creating clothes, I had never designed a bag. There are very few male designers who show at the Paris Collection who love women (laughs). I'm known as a fossil in the fashion world. Designers who love women are fossils (laughs). That's why I don't understand women's hearts. I don't know how to carry a bag, how to carry it on the shoulder, or what weight is appropriate. So I quickly gathered a female design team around me who could help me understand the feelings of women who carry bags. I decided the general direction, but I consulted with the female staff on all the details, like the actual size of the bag, the softness of the leather, the length of the strap, and the handle.

Discord will be featured exclusively at Isetan Mitsukoshi for six months. After that, I plan to continue as part of the Yohji Yamamoto brand's accessories division. I intend to work hard to see how far this brand can grow, not only in Japan but around the world. Please help me! Thank you.

During the photo call, he also said, "Please spread the word on Facebook."

■Responding to questions from reporters after the press conference

--Is there anything that couldn't have been done without partnering with Isetan?

Of course there is. This department store always has the newest things in the world.

--You said it's a shame that Cool Japan is pushing anime and characters.

But isn't that a shame? Japan has a higher level of cool, the truest meaning of cool.

--What do you think true Japanese cool means?

Japanese culture. Japanese beauty. This is cool. You can't make things like that overseas. Japan is the only country that can discover beauty in the so-called culture of subtraction, the culture of in-between, reading between the lines, finding beauty in breakdowns and distortions.

--Are there any Japanese technologies that make use of that sensibility, or technologies that have been forgotten?

Since the textile industry was devastated by a secret agreement made during Okinawa's return to Japan, the Japanese government has not put much effort into the textile industry. It's still produced by small, artisans in various places, including Kyoto and the Hokuriku region. These older artisans are still working hard, weaving and dyeing products to a world-class standard that no other factory could match. My collaboration with Isetan will help these small factories find successors, and I believe that if they realize that these products are reaching consumers, Japan will have a future. It may sound a bit grandiose, but that's what I'm working hard for.

--Did you launch this brand to connect it to the next generation?

Yes. Having been in this industry for so long, I believe that's my role, and I want to hand it over to the younger generation as soon as possible.