Domestic shipments of digital home appliances such as TVs in April amounted to more than 110 billion yen, the highest level in nine years for April.
The main factors are the recovery in demand for car navigation systems, which had been declining, and strong sales of flat-screen TVs.
According to JEITA = Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association, which is made by electronics manufacturers, the domestic shipment value of digital home appliances in April was 113.6 billion yen, an increase of 38% from the same month last year.
Shipments have exceeded the same month of the previous year for 10 consecutive months, the highest level in 9 years for April.
Automobile-related equipment such as car navigation systems, which had fallen sharply due to the effects of the new coronavirus last year, increased by 64% compared to the same month last year.
As for video equipment, sales of flat-screen TVs, mainly large-sized TVs of 50 inches or more, increased by 36% due to the growing demand for so-called nesting of people who spend their time at home.
Regarding the outlook for the future, the Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association says, "We expect that the high level will continue due to the fact that automobile production is on a recovery trend and demand for nesting is continuing."