Last month's domestic shipments of so-called white goods such as air conditioners and washing machines exceeded the same month last year for the first time in four months.
Of these, shipments of washing machines reached a record high due to the lifting of restrictions on going out in Shanghai, China and the recovery of local production activities.
According to the Japan Electrical Manufacturers' Association, the domestic shipment value of white goods last month was about 283.1 billion yen, up 13.7% from the same month last year and turning positive for the first time in four months.
This is largely due to the fact that restrictions on going out in Shanghai, China, were lifted in June this year, and operations at local parts and assembly plants resumed.
Among them, the shipment value of washing machines was 39.7 billion yen, which was 29.3% higher than the same month last year, and was the highest for July since 1986, when statistics began to be collected.
Looking at shipments, washing machines were 429,000 units, up 15.2% from the same month last year.
In addition, due to the record heat wave in late June, air conditioners increased by 7.6% and refrigerators by 3.4% compared to the same month last year.
Regarding the future outlook, the Japan Electrical Manufacturers' Association said, ``Production activities, logistics, and parts shortages in China are gradually recovering, but it is unclear whether this level will continue.How will the recent price hikes affect shipments? I want to keep an eye on whether