An old stereotype holds that Japanese only want what’s “new.” If a mobile phone got scratched, or was outdated by even a few months, it was easy enough to pick up a new one. Now, that doesn’t even apply to electronics, once a symbol of national pride.

Sales of cheaper appliances from China and Taiwan are reportedly climbing. In the highly competitive field of “netbooks,” compact, wireless-ready laptop computers, two afforable Taiwanese companies, Asustek Computers and Acer Inc hold a combined 79% share of the Japanese market. In campaigns timed to coincide with university students starting classes and new workers joining companies, electronic retailers are selling netbooks for as low as 1 yen, provided buyers sign up for a wireless internet service provider contract.

Retailers such as Yodobashi Camera in Tokyo have responded to falling sales by moving buying and selling second-hand appliances for the first time.

environmentalism, japan, technology