Andrew Rizzo As if this year couldn’t get better for New Balance fans following the long-awaited debut of the 990v7, we’re now hit with another model that’s already got everyone talking. Our focus here shifts from Made in USA to the lesser-known Made in Japan line with a first look at a new New Balance 991 variant, teased by New Balance Japan on social media.
The Made in Japan line began in 2020 with the New Balance 1300JP, honoring the 35th anniversary of a model and colorway that’s long been a cult classic in Japan and returns every five years. Releases of models like the 1500 and 996 have followed, but never anything quite like this.
The lone teaser image shows New Balance 991 tooling paired with a new upper featuring multiple windows around the heel, the main point to note being the stitched “Made in Japan” text. The 991 series has historically belonged to the Made in England line, first with the original in 2001 and then with the 991v2 in 2023. Both have had tremendous success, the former rising to become one of the brand’s most popular models in the 2000s and the latter carrying the torch with tons of applaudable collabs and general releases alike. That’s to say the potential here is staggering.
No official info regarding the New Balance 991 “Made in Japan” has been announced as of this writing, though early 2027 seems like a likely launch window. It’s also unknown whether the shoe will launch exclusively in Japan or be made available globally. Check out teaser pics below and keep our Sneaker Release Dates page handy for updates.
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