BILLY MARTIN'S WESTERN BOUTIQUES A HIT IN JAPAN
By SUZANNE KAPNER
------------------------------------------------------------------------
July 9, 2003 -- The Yankees have Hideki Matsui. Now Japan may get Billy Martin.

The chain of boutiques that bears the late Yankee manager's name is in talks to begin selling its Western-styled clothing to several Japanese retailers, Doug Newton, Martin's former agent and business partner, told The Post.

Newton recently signed Jiro Yamamoto, who runs an import/export company called Rainbow Enterprises, to represent him in Japan.

Yamamoto is talking to Mitsukoshi, a department store chain, and Kintetsu, which owns about 100 boutiques there.

The expansion to Japan comes at a time when signs of American dominance are attracting fresh scrutiny around the world. American cultural icons - from television shows to fast food chains - have been the subject of ridicule as a collective mistrust of President Bush has taken root abroad.

Yet in Japan, as in some other countries, there is still a huge demand for products with a distinct American flair. Newton said he is designing a special label for his soon-to-be Japanese customers that looks like a sheriff's badge with the letters N.Y.C. and L.A. imprinted on it.

"They wanted something that was sure-fire American," Newton said.

The push into Japan is part of a bigger plan to take Billy Martin's wholesale.

Until now, the Western shirts, boots, hats and belt buckles favored by celebrities like Madonna, Rene Zellweger and Arnold Schwarzenegger have only been available in Billy Martin's boutiques in New York, Los Angeles and East Hampton.

Newton recently signed a deal with Wyler Team International of L.A. to produce a sportswear line to be sold in department and specialty stores.

Newton and Martin opened their first store in New York City 24 years ago. Newton said they came up with the idea during lunch with Mickey Mantle at P.J. Clarke's.

At the time, cowboy boots were worn by farm hands and ranchers - not sophisticated New Yorkers.