Japan Battles with Footwear Company

onsidered by many to be one of the worst fashion trends in decades both from the point of view of safety and appearance, the Trade Ministry of Japan has instructed the maker of Crocs to redesign the shoes…or else.

Despite the more than 3.9 million pairs of Crocs sold in Japan in the last few years, the Trade Ministry had no choice but to respond to the more than 65 complaints made to their office, many concerning the shoes getting stuck in escalators, and some involving children who were injured.

Of course, this decision initially had its economic repercussions. More than 700 employees lost their jobs as one factory closed down.

It is an odd phenomenon, indeed, as most agree that Crocs are unattractive, somewhat expensive, and dangerous to boot.

So can anyone explain why people still clamor for them?

“It can be chalked up to mass insanity, but if one were to ask the average Crocs fan why they wear them, they will undoubtedly answer, ‘Because they’re extremely comfortable,’ repeating the same argument that goaded them into trying the monstrosities on in the first place. These Crocs people truly believe that this is reason enough to wear these hideous shoes,” wrote one blogger on IHateCrocs.com a few months ago.

Despite the controversy and the closing of one factory, in the last decade the sale of Crocs has surpassed its $1 billion mark for the 2011 calendar year, raising the value of the company’s stock by 6.3 percent.

There must be something to this ugly, plastic sandal-like footwear.

Their popularity has increased since endorsement has come from celebrities, such as actors Jennie Garth and Sacha Baren Cohen, and chef Mario Batali.

Whatever the purpose or destiny of this popular footwear, the Colorado-based company that has been making Crocs since 2002 no doubt laughs all the way to the bank.