Prices of home appliances in Japan are “high in white and low in black” Nikkei Chinese

The price of home appliances in Japan has become polarized.Among white goods, the price per washing machine is10Rise during the year30%the refrigerator has risen15%. The number of dual-income families has increased, driven by the “time-saving need” to reduce the burden of housework.From the perspective of TV prices, large-size TVs have declined4into about. Video viewing on smartphones has increased and demand for TVs has been sluggish. Home appliances are differentiated according to whether they are used for housework or entertainment.

Home appliances store in Japan

Japan Electrical Machinery Industry Association (JEMA)4moontwenty twoData released on the day showed that2023Annual shipments of white goods were2.5244trillion yen, a decrease from the previous year2.4%.existtwenty threeAmong the main products,20The unit price of a product increased. The home appliance market as a whole is shrinking due to factors such as Japan’s declining population, but products that can reduce the burden of household chores such as food preparation and laundry have become a supporting force.

The price of washing machine is10Increased significantly during the year32%.The locomotive driving growth is the washing machine market, which accounts for nearly3Front-loading washing machine in parts.The average unit price reaches18Ten thousand4000Japanese yen (approximately RMB8615Yuan), higher than vertical washing machines.A person who both takes care of children and works outside the home40A multi-year-old woman said, “Although the price is relatively high, in order to balance work and family, it must have a drying function.”

Taro Yamato, an analyst at research firm Euromonitor International, pointed out, “In order to ease the burden of life, white goods have many ways to increase added value.”Alice Oyama and ToshibaLifestyleCompanies such as this have launched refrigerators that allow you to check the contents of the refrigerator through your smartphone when you go shopping.

Large companies such as Panasonic and Hitachi Manufacturing Co., Ltd. have introduced a “specified price system” that determines product sales prices, which has also pushed up the average unit price of white goods.

Retailers generally have the power to determine the price of home appliances, but under the designated price system, manufacturers can determine the sales price by accepting returns of unsold inventory. This prevents discounts and keeps prices from falling. Get involved in cleaning robots “Roomba“The United StatesiRobotThe company also2024Year4This system will be launched in October.

On the other hand, as a representative of entertainment home appliances, the price of televisions continues to fall.japan investigative co., ltd.BCNThe data shows that40inch TV price and10Decreased compared to last year43%,55inches decreased38%.

The backdrop is sluggish demand for televisions. The number of consumers watching videos on smartphones and tablets is increasing, mainly among young singles, and more and more households do not have televisions. Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association)JEITA) statistics show that,2023Annual flat-panel TV shipments hit record highs10The first of the year2Low.

In addition, Hisense Group andTCLThe rise of Chinese companies has also driven down the price of TV sets. These companies source components globally and reduce costs through mass production. A person in charge of the Yurakucho store of home electronics store Biko Camera said, “The popularity of Chinese manufacturers is increasing, and the number of people who are resistant to overseas manufacturers is decreasing.”

Flat-panel TVs face international competition and global prices fall. The commonality of components such as LCD panels is also advancing. Executives of Japan’s major electronics companies believe that “screen technology has reached a level that is indistinguishable to the naked eye,” and it is difficult to tap demand based on the evolution of hardware alone.

Japan’s National Institute of Social Security and Population Issues predicts that by2045By the year, Japan’s population will be2020annual decrease11~16%. The mid- to long-term shrinkage of the home appliance market will be inevitable. Whether it can launch simple and convenient functions that consumers think is necessary has become the key to survival.

Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Chinese version: Nikkei Chinese website) Mana Kubota

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