- Sewing machines were introduced in Japan in 1860. During the Meiji and Taisho periods, it took some time for them to be manufactured domestically, so imports monopolized the market. Since 1931, the competitiveness of imported sewing machines was weakened by the high dollor/weak yen and sewing machines began to be produced domestically. After 1937, trade became restricted, sewing machine imports dramatically decreased, and domestic production increased.
- such as "tabi" and "atsushi" (thick and strong woven cotton products). As sewing machines couldn't be imported due to World War , Mitsubishi Electric Corp. and Brother Industries Ltd. produced industrial sewing machines for military uniforms, at the request of the Ministry of Clothing.
- After the War, munition factories were converted, and sewing machines were produced. Japanese sewing machines have just a 50 year history, which, while short when compared with Western countries, coincides with transition from Japanese style clothing to Western clothing.
- 100,000 sewing machines were produced in 1938, and over 1,000,000 units in 1951. 70%-80% of domestically produced home sewing machines were exported from 1950, and the same parcentage of industrial sewing machines were exported from 1971.
- In recent years, however, overseas production of home sewing machines has been increasing, due to a shift in production base, and exports have been decreasing sharply, as imports overflow into the market. Most of the imports are produced by Japanese companies in China and by Taiwanies' manufacturers. In 1995, 1,101,000 units(a 15.6% increase compared with the preceding year) of home sewing machines were imported, amounting to 11.2 billion yen (a 9.0% increase). In addition, 103,000 units (a 11.7% decrease compared with the preceding year) of high quality sewing machines worth 5,002 million yen were exported (a 9.3% decrease).
- On the other hand, exports of industrial sewing machines have still remained high, with importes in increasing steadily. In 1995, 91,000 units (a 5.2% decrease compared with the preceding year) were imported, amounting to 4,822 million yen (a 28.5% increase). The quantity and value of exports has been decreasing since 1931. In 1995, export quantity was 964,000 units (a 10% decrease compared with the preceding year) and the amount 93,541 million yen (a 5.6% decrease). However, Japan has a 70% share of the industrial sewing machines production industry.
- Domestic demands is approx. 1,000,000 units a year. Most home sewing machines are imported, as domestic production is low. It is said that some exported sewing machines are produced in China and other countries by Japanese manufacturers and then reimported to Japan, as well as exported to other countries. Most of the sewing machines costing JPY20,000-JPY30,000 (retail price) are imported from Taiwan and China and sold through leaflets, mail orders, and at discount stores. Meanwhile, domestically produced machines worth more than JPY100,000 are sold through sewing machine speciality stores and agencies. These are too complex for everyday consumers. Only "hobby" dressmakers buy these models.
- Home sewing machine used to comprise part of a bride's dowry. Nowadays, however, few people sew at home because there is plenty of low-price clothing in the stores, and so sewing machines are largely used to repair children's clothing, etc.
- The annual production of sewing machine worldwide is approx. 4,000,000 units. It is presumed that approx. 2,300,000 units are produced in China, followed by Taiwan, and then Japan. Production in the U.S.A. and Germany is not so high. The brandname "SINGER" was used in place of the word sewing machine for some time, however, "SINGAER" has now merged with a Japanese company. Production has ceased in the U.S.A., Brazil and Germany, leaving Japan as the sole manufacturer of "SINGER" machines.
- Sewing machine parts were previously produced in Higashi-Osaka City, Nara Prefec- ture and Sanjo city (Niigata Prefecture). However, the number of parts makers have decreased sharply, domestic production, and due to the fact that many of part makers have shifted to automobile part and electronic part production. Makers importing parts from Taiwan and assembling in Japan have been increasing.
- No action has been taken under Product Liability Law to date.
- Sewing machines with high-level functions experience low sales. Sewing machines with only straight sewing and zigzag sewing are complex enough to be sold in large quantities, however they cannot be produced at a low cost in Japan. The future of this field doesn't look terribly bright.
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