Hi, this is Dr. Alan Weidner from Massage Chair Relief. Welcome to our monthly Massage Chair Relief LIVE livestream. We’re excited to have Nicholas Beese with us today. He’s from Fujiiryoki, though until recently he’s had experience beyond that, which we’ll discuss in a moment. Nicholas, thank you so much for joining us—it’s good to have you.

Nicholas: Thanks, Alan. Hi everybody. I’ve always enjoyed visiting with you because you’re a wealth of information, and you’re not shy about sharing it. I appreciate that. You not only understand the sales of chairs and the competition, but you also have a solid grasp of the mechanics, electronics, and more.

Alan: Thank you. Looks like we may have a Facebook issue. For those of you watching on Facebook, you might not be getting the stream right now. Hold on—let me see if I can fix it. Okay, it might be back on, but we’ll see.

Anyway, Nicholas, I always enjoy talking with you because of your wealth of experience. I know you travel a lot for your job, especially with all the exciting things happening. Why don’t you tell us a little about your history in the industry? I know the Fujiiryoki name has been around a long time, but it hasn’t been properly promoted in the past. Let’s talk about that as well.

Nicholas: Absolutely. I’m Nick, and I’m with Fujiiryoki, which is part of Johnson Health Tech. Johnson has been around since 1974 and is one of the largest—if not the largest—fitness equipment manufacturers in the world. If you go to a Planet Fitness, LA Fitness, or Gold’s Gym, there’s a good chance you’re using Johnson equipment under brands like Horizon, Matrix, or Vision Fitness.

I joined Johnson about 16 years ago, originally with the fitness team. Within Johnson, there was a small but growing group specializing in massage chairs. After a few years in fitness, I joined that Wellness Group because it seemed like an exciting new category. Massage fascinated me—people usually think only of mall chairs, but when I dug deeper, I found it much more interesting.

For the last 10–11 years, I’ve worked in massage chairs, either as a sales rep or running a division. Our company has manufactured private-label chairs for other brands, so I’ve seen how competitors operate—their strengths and weaknesses. We have our own factories but also collaborate with others, so I’ve been exposed to many sides of the industry.

I’ve traveled globally to help Johnson subsidiaries set up massage chair sales, tailoring strategies to different markets. That’s been fascinating because every company and factory operates differently.

Johnson is unique in owning factories in both Shanghai, China and Osaka, Japan. Johnson acquired Fujiiryoki Japan, the world’s oldest massage chair manufacturer, established in 1954. Fujiiryoki is the largest massage chair brand in Japan and globally, having sold over five million chairs. They bring unique technical expertise, and Japanese brands always carry distinct characteristics compared to Chinese ones.

Alan: That’s great insight. Johnson Health Tech is a multinational company. Where are they based?

Nicholas: The global corporate headquarters is in Taiwan, with the main commercial fitness headquarters in Cottage Grove, Wisconsin. They also have factories in Vietnam and the U.S. For massage chairs specifically, the factories are in China and Japan.

Alan: Now, the Fujiiryoki brand had previously been distributed here under a different setup. You’ve since reclaimed that distributorship. I first saw this shift at CES in January. Can you tell us a bit about that?

Nicholas: Sure. I used to operate under Johnson’s U.S. retail entity, selling massage chairs through them. But over the last five or six years, our company invested heavily in massage chair technology. As part of that growth, my team spun off into its own legal entity—Fujiiryoki Incorporated—based in Torrance, California. We’re now an independent company with autonomy to run things directly with Fujiiryoki Japan.

We kept things quiet at first, but I unveiled it more fully in January. We wanted to save the excitement for when we had new products ready to showcase. And we do—we’ve got a lot of new models coming this year.

Alan: Before we dive into products, let me remind everyone: if you have questions for Nicholas or me, please enter them in the comments.

Nick, when I visited you at CES, you hinted at exciting new chairs but didn’t share details. You mentioned three Fujiiryoki models and three Synca models. But you didn’t say much about the Interbalance name. Is that being transitioned?

Nicholas: Good question. Over time, our focus has shifted. When we first entered the U.S. wellness market, the primary brand was Interbalance Wellness, tailored to U.S. consumer preferences. Later, as operations in Japan developed, Synca Wellness became our primary brand.

After acquiring Fujiiryoki, it made sense to prioritize them—they carry the heritage, technology, and expertise. So while we still sell Interbalance and Synca, Fujiiryoki is now our flagship. Synca will remain stylish and modern, while Interbalance will play a smaller role with fewer new models. Most R&D investment will go into Fujiiryoki.

Alan: It’s nice to see more chairs returning to Japanese production, since that’s where the industry started. Costs are higher, but the craftsmanship is exceptional.

Nicholas: Exactly. Japanese production emphasizes craftsmanship, quality control, and pride in assembly. Workers treat it like a craft, not just a job. Factories in China can be more flexible and cost-efficient, but Japanese brands protect their identity fiercely. A Fujiiryoki chair must maintain premium quality—it’s part of their culture.

Alan: Will Fujiiryoki do OEM manufacturing for other brands?

Nicholas: Not at this time. We’re focused on our own products, though you never know what the future might bring.

Alan: Great. Let’s talk models. A viewer named Jason asked if any upcoming chairs will have better arm massage.

Nicholas: Yes—multiple chairs. The Fujiiryoki JP 4000, in development now, will be priced similarly to the JP 3000 but feature a reconfigured arm massage. I tried it in Japan, and it’s noticeably better. It also has an 8-inch full-color touchscreen.

Beyond that, we’re launching models up to $15,000, including chairs with arm rollers. Here’s a quick rundown:

• Synca Circ 3: a larger sub-compact chair, launching in June at $2,000. Features USB ports, Bluetooth, LED lighting, reversible ottoman with leg massage, and a full SL track.

• Fujiiryoki CM Plus: retailing at $3,700, with a 5-inch touchscreen, flex frame, SL track, calf rollers, and full 3D massage.

• “Super Chair”: launching around September at about $10,000. Dual massage robots, flex frame, calf and foot rollers, 80+ air cells, 8-inch touchscreen, heaters, and even a kneading head pillow.

• Fujiiryoki JP 4000: also around September, priced at $11,000. Enhanced arm massage and advanced features.

• Decor Series (Stratus, Cirrus, Decor 2): all made in Japan. The Decor 2 launches in May at $15,000, with oak side panels, 7-inch touchscreen, arm rollers, calf rollers, foot rollers, airbags with kneading, and SL track. The Cirrus JP will be $13,000, and the Stratus JP $11,000, both launching in June.

Decor previously had a U.S. distributor, but that’s changing. Since they’re fundamentally a Japanese company with Japanese philosophy, partnering with us—who emphasize Japanese production—made more sense.

Alan: Will these chairs be available in Canada?

Nicholas: Yes. We have full U.S. and Canadian distribution, with nationwide white-glove delivery in Canada. Pricing will be roughly equivalent in Canadian dollars. Our service network covers both countries, with strong technicians in Canada.

Alan: What about Europe?

Nicholas: Johnson has subsidiaries worldwide, including Europe. In some countries, massage chairs are sold directly; in others, we work with third-party distributors. It varies by market, but we do have a presence there.

Alan: How many new models are launching this year?

Nicholas: At least seven, possibly up to 10, depending on timing. Next year will continue at a similar pace. We want to offer a diverse selection, from gentle relaxation to deep tissue precision.

Alan: You’ve always provided good products and support. I appreciate your warranties—five years parts and labor on JP models, which is rare.

Nicholas: Yes, and we encourage buyers to look for long manufacturer warranties. Extended warranties are fine, but manufacturer coverage is faster and easier. Higher-end chairs will generally have longer warranties, up to five years.

Alan: One viewer asked why Decor switched to you as their U.S. distributor.

Nicholas: Their previous partner was a good company, so it’s not about that. But Decor is Japanese at its core, and their philosophy aligns with ours. They want to emphasize Japanese-made products, and we’re the best partner for that. Their chairs are excellent—Decor 2, for example, has 10 massage rollers and delivers deep-tissue penetration measured at 5 cm. They’re massage chair royalty, descended from Inada.

Alan: I tried Decor 2, and it felt more comfortable, with new quick keys, wood options, elbow airbags, and Bluetooth. Exciting stuff.

Nicholas: Yes, shipping begins in May, with preorders available soon.

Alan: Anything else you’d like to add?

Nicholas: This year will be very interesting for the industry. Some brands are contracting, others expanding. For us, growth continues—we’re investing heavily in new products and technologies.

Alan: We’ve noticed sales slowing since COVID, with inflation affecting things. Have you seen that?

Nicholas: Globally, yes, there’s been some slowdown, but it varies by country and brand. In Japan, for example, Fujiiryoki has performed very well despite market maturity. Downturns often weed out weaker brands that don’t provide proper support. Good companies with good products endure.

Alan: Agreed. Support is crucial, and I prefer working with brands that prioritize it. Some companies fluctuate, but intent matters—whether they truly care about service.

Nicholas: Exactly. Some companies are sales-driven and neglect service, while others are committed. I’ve seen both. For us, we try to embody Kaizen—continuous improvement—always striving to do better.

Alan: Well said. It’s been a pleasure talking with you, Nick. Thank you for your time and openness.

Nicholas: Thank you, Alan. Always happy to help.

Alan: To our viewers, thank you for joining us. Our next livestream will be April 25th, with Michael Kogure, President of Daiwa. Stay tuned for that, and thank you again, Nicholas.

Nicholas: Thank you—have a great day.