Chinese footwear brand Staccato has expanded into the Japanese market through a license agreement with Baroque Japan.

The first Staccato shop is located at the newly opened Andaz Tokyo hotel, offering some footwear styles and colors not found in other markets.

Baroque plans to open another two shops in Tokyo and one in Nagoya next month and more than 100 within five years.

“Japan’s ladies’ shoe market is big, but there are no strong players. This is why we are starting this business,” said Hiroyuki Murai, representative director and CEO of Baroque.

Staccato is owned by Belle, which owns 32 per cent stake in Baroque.