#Japan #Osaka #Interior Design #Living House #Sempre Design

Living House Takes a Step Forward with Sempre Design Acquisition

In a strategic move to boost the Japanese interior and furniture sector, Living House Co., Ltd. (based in Osaka, Japan) has announced its decision to acquire all shares of Sempre Design Co., Ltd. (headquartered in Meguro, Tokyo). This decision was made official during a board meeting on August 19, 2025. The acquisition aligns with Living House's vision of a growth strategy centered on mutual respect for individuality, aiming to revitalize the furniture and interior industry and improve the quality of life in Japan.

The Context Behind the Acquisition

The furniture and interior industry in Japan faces significant challenges as major chains dominate the market. Both urban and rural areas are experiencing increased competition from unique small to medium enterprises dealing with pricing pressures, succession planning, and rising logistics costs. In response to these industry challenges, Living House has developed a collaborative growth strategy that emphasizes working with partners who share a similar vision to create a future together. The acquisition of Sempre Design is the first step in this strategy.

Earlier, on August 8, 2024, a capital and business partnership was established, culminating in the opening of the first collaborative business format, “/SEMPRE,” within Living House's Yokohama Bay Quarter store. Initiatives such as joint promotional plans and staff exchanges have been implemented to maximize synergy between the companies.

Living House is committed to its vision of “transforming Japan into a leading nation in spatial and temporal value.” By leveraging its expertise in space creation, the company aims to enhance the value of time spent in that space. In this era of 100-year life spans, Living House strives to deliver “unknown experiences” that allow individuals to live fulfilling and authentic lives.

On the other hand, Sempre Design has been dedicated to elevating the quality of life through design since its inception in a time when the concept of lifestyle brands had yet to be established in Japan. The company's strong aesthetic sense and curatorial strength have enabled it to provide products that enhance everyday living, emphasizing not just the provision of interiors but a deep commitment to fulfilling the hearts of consumers through design.

This shared philosophy of enriching life rather than merely selling furniture is the foundation upon which this collaboration is built.

Building a Future Together

By combining Living House's robust business infrastructure, extensive customer relationships, and supply chain capabilities with Sempre's well-established aesthetic sensibilities and branding, both firms believe they can deliver experiential value in both “space” and “time” at a higher level.

The unique personality of the Sempre brand and its design philosophy, which resonates deeply with everyday life, is invaluable to Living House. The company aims to preserve this value while acting as a bridge to bring these products to a broader audience.

Leveraging the management expertise of Living House, the goal is to enhance Sempre's corporate strength, which will contribute to an increase in brand value and employee satisfaction. Additionally, as “friends” in business, both companies will co-create new value while respecting each other’s strengths.

Comments from Company Leaders

Masaki Tamura, Chairman of Sempre Design

“Reaching our 30th anniversary, we have sought ways to elevate our company to the next stage. Over the past seven years, I have engaged in deep discussions with President Kosuke Kitamura of Living House about industry challenges and future visions. Resounding with our shared vision of ‘enriching Japanese lifestyles,’ we decided to evolve from a capital partnership to a full group acquisition. I am confident that by merging Sempre's long-cultivated design philosophy with Living House's management infrastructure and expertise, we can deliver new value to a wider audience.”

Kosuke Kitamura, President of Living House

“Sempre Design embodies a profound passion for designing life and has been a formidable player in the interior industry since inception. The discerning eye and editorial prowess developed under this vision is invaluable to our mission of making Japan a leading nation in spatial and temporal value.

This acquisition is not merely about organizational unity but is rooted in the value that emerges from our differences. We aim to enhance the unique, irreplaceable brand of Sempre while providing our management know-how, improving corporate power, and ultimately returning value to our employees. This initiative is symbolic of our roll-up strategy not only for the participating companies but for the wider industry facing succession and promotional challenges. We will actively seek synergies with other enterprises beyond retail, aiming to foster the growth of Japan's interior market and create new experiential values for our customers.”

Future Initiatives

Living House intends to use this cooperative growth strategy as a springboard to further engage with small to medium enterprises facing management or succession challenges despite possessing excellent design and technology. Under the mission of “transforming Japan into a leading nation in spatial and temporal value,” the aim is to revitalize the entire industry and enhance the quality of life in Japan.