The Winners of the 2025 Japanese Stationery Awards Are Here!
The image of stationery has evolved dramatically over the years - from purely functional tools to thoughtfully designed items that reflect personal style and lifestyle choices. Now in its 13th year, the Japan Stationery Grand Award, often hailed as the “Oscars of the stationery world,” continues to recognize outstanding innovation in this ever-changing industry.
Jointly selected by 13 renowned stationery retailers, the 2025 awards reviewed around 1,000 newly released products, judging them based on functionality, design, and creativity. Four products emerged as the top winners in their respective categories. Let’s take a closer look at what makes each of them exceptional.
Image Source from PILOT
1. Grand Prize: PILOT KIRE-NA Highlighter
PILOT’s KIRE-NA Highlighter has taken home the highest honor this year, impressing both users and judges alike. With the tagline “no distorted lines”, this highlighter addresses a long-standing frustration for students: uneven strokes and ink buildup causing bleed-through. The KIRE-NA offers fast-drying, smudge-proof performance, and features an innovative flat thumb grip on the barrel for improved writing stability. Available in vibrant colors at an affordable price point, it’s become a schoolbag staple. Reviewers applauded its real-world usability, stating, “A design rooted in everyday use is true innovation”.
2. Design Award: LUDDITE The POST Flexible, Sustainable Leather Pen Case
Eco-conscious and effortlessly stylish, The POST Leather Pen Case by LUDDITE is crafted from recycled leather. As professional-grade wooden writing tools grow in popularity, students increasingly seek protective and elegant storage solutions. The POST offers a flat, organized space for pens, erasers, and accessories - all visible at a glance. Its minimalist design and price under 3,000 yen make it a smart and accessible choice for students who care about both function and fashion.
Image Source from LUDDITE
Image Source from UNI
3. Functionality Award: Mitsubishi UNI JETSTREAM Lite Touch Ink
A trusted name in ballpoint pens, JETSTREAM returns in 2025 with a remarkable upgrade: a monochrome pen featuring light-touch ink. Maintaining the brand’s signature smoothness, the new ink formulation resolves past issues of excessive slipperiness, offering enhanced control and comfort. With a sleek, refined design and ergonomic grip, the pen feels both “light yet substantial”, perfect for extended writing sessions or everyday note-taking. This evolution marks the 18th year of the JETSTREAM series, and it’s never looked or performed better.
4. Creativity Award: KING JIM Kori Jirushi Ice Cube Stamp
As 2024 was dubbed the “Year of the Stamp”, KING JIM’s Ice Cube Stamp has become a standout among stamp enthusiasts. Solving the common issue of misalignment, the Ice Cube Stamp’s highly transparent body allows users to see both the ink and target area clearly, ensuring perfectly placed impressions every time. On top of its functionality, its icy crystal-like design offers a visually calming and elegant touch to the stamping experience. It’s a win for both precision and aesthetics.
Image Source from KING JIM
These four award-winning products represent the exciting direction the stationery industry is headed, where thoughtful design, enhanced usability, and personal expression come together in everyday tools.
If you are interested in other award winners, please explore more at https://www.fusosha.co.jp/special/bunbougu/#award.
Reference: https://www.shoppingdesign.com.tw/post/view/12034