Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
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METI Study Group Has Compiled a Report on Small Home Appliances and Other Products

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), focusing on medium-sized and small- and medium-sized home appliance manufacturers whose market share in small home appliances has been growing and who have been increasing their presence recently, and also on the market of home beauty appliances which has also been rapidly growing recently, has been conducting research on the actual conditions of these markets and challenges to be overcome and examining issues including ideal approaches to formulating measures for enhancing the market competitiveness of enterprises, mainly medium-sized and small- and medium-sized enterprises in these sectors, by establishing a study group consisting of experts.

METI hereby announces that the study group has compiled a report, based on the results of its research and examination, which includes recommendations toward these manufacturers' further development and other opinions.

1. Background

Currently, Japan's home appliance industry, including large home appliance manufacturers, is facing an extremely severe business conditions. However, recently, medium-sized and small- and medium-sized home appliance manufacturers of small home appliances have steadily increased their sales and market share with lower priced or uniquely designed products, which attract the attention of consumers. At the same time, home beauty appliances have caught people's attention as a new home appliance field, into which a growing number of new enterprises are starting to enter.

2. Holding meetings of the study group

In August, 2012, METI established a study group called the "Study Group on New Business Strategy for Small Home appliances," which consists of six members who are experts in design management, finance, and other areas, including the chair, Mr. Tetsuo Yoshimoto, Associate Professor of Ritsumeikan University, and since then, it has been researching certain issues. Based on data from surveys and the results of interviews, the study group researched and analyzed the actual business models of such home appliance manufacturers, and also conducted research on the actual state of the home beauty appliance market. At the same time, the study group examined certain issues, such as possible challenges to be overcome in order to encourage development of these sectors and sound growth of the markets, and an ideal approach to support such enterprises in these sectors. As a result of these studies, the study group has compiled a report.

3. Highlight of the report

  • Research on the actual conditions of such manufacturers; analysis of their business models
  • Policy recommendations toward further development of such manufacturers, including [i] securing opportunities to provide policy information, [ii] enhancing support measures for expanding Japanese businesses overseas, [iii] enhancing financial support measures, and [iv] conducting research and studies on national electronics manufacturing services (EMS).
  • Research on the actual conditions of the home beauty appliance market; studies of challenges in the field
  • Political recommendations toward sound development of the home beauty appliance sector, including [i] formulating safety standards and providing recommendations to the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and [ii] formulating labeling guidelines.

Reference

Release Date

May 1, 2013

Division in Charge

Information and Communication Electronics Division, Commerce and Information Policy Bureau

 
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Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
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