- Washing machines and dishwashers that use ultrasonic waves and other means instead of detergents to do the cleaning have arrived on the market. Taking the defensive, detergent manufacturers are growing concerned that this might become linked to environmental issues, putting an undeserved onus on their products. In a desperate move to prevent detergents from garnering a bad name, detergent manufacturers have questioned the effectiveness of detergent-free appliances by conducting performance tests and announcing their results. Contrary to their aims, detergent-free appliances are selling well.
- Over the last 3-4 years, the handheld drier market has doubled to 130,000-140,000 units per year. Some twenty manufacturers, including a few specialty manufacturers, are competing in this market. In the past, handheld driers failed to attract consumer attention because of low blower velocity and poor drying performance. However, one manufacturer has successfully overcome these drawbacks and released driers that achieve a 10-second drying time with a strong stream of air. Others having followed suit, annual demand has risen by more than double from the 50,000-60,000 units per year some 6-7 years ago. Launches of compact built-in models, which can be installed a bathroom, have also helped push up demand. It is estimated that potential annual demand will reach 1 million units as new customers are found, including hotel kitchens, restaurants, amusement facilities, food factories, small restaurants, office buildings, stores and public facilities.
- With demand growing briskly, home elevator sales are expected to reach 10,500 units for fiscal 2001, up 10% year-on-year. On a value basis, this will amount to approximately 30 billion yen. Demand is expected to grow further with the increased graying of the population and growth in barrier-free and three-story detached houses.
- Tomy, a leading Japanese toy manufacturer, will release a new lemon pop series featuring a Disney candy box. The company initially plans to put out seven series between February and March of 2002, each including a Disney character toy. Targeting children up to age eight as well as women, Tomy hopes to see annual sales of 1.5 billion yen.
- A small Tokyo-based company will put on the market in January 2002 an automatic fire-extinguishing ashtray, developed in cooperation with a major manufacturer. Just toss a cigar butt into a small hole in the ashtray, and it extinguishes the coal with a gcrushing powerh generated by the differential between two belts revolving at different gear ratios. The ashtray can hold up to 2,000 butts, substantially reducing cleaning frequency. The product will retail for 198,000 yen.
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