Basic Definition

Japanese denim is a very high quality denim made in Japan. Japanese denim is produced slowly on traditional looms from high quality ring-spun yarn and a special cotton blend. Japanese denim is almost always associated with raw denim. Raw denim or unwashed denim refers to denim that is not washed after being dyed during its production. The appearance of the jean is quite stiff and resembles denim from the earlier days.

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History

Japanese denim is almost always referred to as raw denim; it has been a phenomenon in Japan since the 1980s. Since the denim does not undergo any finishing treatments, washes or tampering beforehand, it is not comfortable or soft. Instead, japanese denim is very hard, thick, and stiff. The denim has been woven on old-style shuttle looms, originating from Japan. They are meant to replicate what Levi’s Jeans, Lee, Wrangler and other U.S. companies produced until the late 1960s. Back then, these companies created a pair of unwashed denim in order to keep up with an emerging youth culture that demanded jeans. Japanese denim have a very distinctive characteristic called “selvage edge,” meaning that the fabric edges have a woven finish rather than being cut and overlocked like ordinary jeans. The beauty of raw jeans is to watch as your daily life artfully wears and tears the jean.
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See Also

Cone Denim
Spanish Denim
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References

Raw Denim: An Introduction, http://www.denimology.co.uk/2008/08/raw_denim_an_introductotion.php
SOME LIKE IT RAW, http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/01/07/LVG18NBRG41.DTL
Tokyo Fashion Blog: Japanese Denim; http://www.askmen.com/fashion/fashion_blog/6_fashion_blog.html
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