The acquisition, for which Luxottica did not disclose a value, allows the world's biggest eyewear group to gain a foothold in the Fukui eyewear district, near Kyoto, famous for its artisan skills with precious metals such as titanium.

Executive Chairman Leonardo Del Vecchio said Luxottica would invest further to create a production centre in the area.

(Reporting by Valentina Za, editing by Steve Scherer)