brettsomers
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Anyone know more about this?
Article on used appliances in Japan
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kevinpreston8
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Makes you glad...
you live in America, doesn't it.
you live in America, doesn't it.
Brneyedgrl80
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How terrible. Think of all the history that will be lost. Seriously, older appliances, no matter what they kind, are a piece of history. In fact, the appliances themselves have their own history.
Cultures vary-
If I remember correctly, the Japanese also dislike older cars, and after a number of years, they are more expensive to register than a comparable new car.
It's just a question of what is valued. Typically, the Japanese hold older people in greater esteem, however.
Lawrence/Maytagbear
If I remember correctly, the Japanese also dislike older cars, and after a number of years, they are more expensive to register than a comparable new car.
It's just a question of what is valued. Typically, the Japanese hold older people in greater esteem, however.
Lawrence/Maytagbear
portendere
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What is valued in Japan
(compared to the US, and speaking very generally)
Smaller, more efficient, and more versatile (combination/multifuction devices) are popular in Japan, because of limited space and resources. Nostalgia is an expensive luxury; in Japan, doubly so.
Still, good that the ban was scrapped. The "safety" angle is a bit dubious.
(compared to the US, and speaking very generally)
Smaller, more efficient, and more versatile (combination/multifuction devices) are popular in Japan, because of limited space and resources. Nostalgia is an expensive luxury; in Japan, doubly so.
Still, good that the ban was scrapped. The "safety" angle is a bit dubious.
In Japan, what you see is not necessarily what you get...
The same Japanese ministry that is banning the resale of electrical goods made before 2001 is also advising people on how to reclassify the sales as "rentals" and therefore circumvent the law. Everybody is thus happy, and keeping the appearance of general happiness is very important there. Classic coping in the "Land of Balance".
Several factors are probably at play here... By banning the resale of old applainces/electrics, the government is giving a boost to domestic manufacturers who will be able to sell more of their chronic overproduction domestically. Since real power in Japan rests with the giant industrial combines, this type of law isn't too surprising.
Another incentive may be that newer electrics are more energy efficient; electricity in Japan is extremely expensive. I remember back in '96 being told that it cost $300/month for electricity for a tiny Japanese apartment. At that time, it might cost no more than $30 for electricity for a larger American apartment. This was brought up to help explain why our Japanese hosts were busy shutting off our laser printers when they weren't in use. Other than some hydro power, and some nuclear reactors, Japan must import the bulk of its energy supplies.
The same Japanese ministry that is banning the resale of electrical goods made before 2001 is also advising people on how to reclassify the sales as "rentals" and therefore circumvent the law. Everybody is thus happy, and keeping the appearance of general happiness is very important there. Classic coping in the "Land of Balance".
Several factors are probably at play here... By banning the resale of old applainces/electrics, the government is giving a boost to domestic manufacturers who will be able to sell more of their chronic overproduction domestically. Since real power in Japan rests with the giant industrial combines, this type of law isn't too surprising.
Another incentive may be that newer electrics are more energy efficient; electricity in Japan is extremely expensive. I remember back in '96 being told that it cost $300/month for electricity for a tiny Japanese apartment. At that time, it might cost no more than $30 for electricity for a larger American apartment. This was brought up to help explain why our Japanese hosts were busy shutting off our laser printers when they weren't in use. Other than some hydro power, and some nuclear reactors, Japan must import the bulk of its energy supplies.
Designgeek
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Safety standards, ha that's funny. Tragic really. But at least there's a way around it. Possible upside: some of that old stuff could find its way into the US market.
Electricity at 10x the cost in the US, interesting! (Don't be smug, we're headed in the same direction...) That explains much about some of the recent advances in Japanese-designed electrical goods. A few nuclear reactors plus some offshore wind could help solve that; question is, does nuclear give people a bad vibe over there due to association with the atomic bomb?
Electricity at 10x the cost in the US, interesting! (Don't be smug, we're headed in the same direction...) That explains much about some of the recent advances in Japanese-designed electrical goods. A few nuclear reactors plus some offshore wind could help solve that; question is, does nuclear give people a bad vibe over there due to association with the atomic bomb?
When it comes to Japanese automobiles, you're right, they cost more to register and insure as they get older...not less as they do here.
That's why when Japanese vehicles hit these shores, their engineering was totally different. The cars were designed to operate for about 5-7 years without any service needed. Things we replace and don't think anything of it, like shock absorbers, were not designed to be replaced on the early Japanese vehicles. The reason was because the cars were scrapped before these parts wore out. The Japanese would use high-quality, but non-maintainable parts on their vehicles. Another thing the early Japanese cars had problems with was rust and body integrity. The cars simply were not designed to be driven 200,000 miles, for 12 years, and old Japanese cars show it.
I had an old 1978 Honda Civic in 1992 when I was in school that my Father bought new. That poor car looked terrible with dead paint, rust all over it, and a sloppy, loose suspension. The little motor ran great though!
These days, most of the Japanese manufacturers have "Americanized" their vehicles, and designed them to last longer than 5 years or so, and have designed them to be repaired much more eaiser. Parts for Japanese cars are also much cheaper. Many Japanese automakers not only manufacture vehicles here, but they also have engineering and design departments here. It's not uncommon to see a 15 year old Accord or Camry that looks practically brand new, even though it may have 200 grand on the dial!
That's why when Japanese vehicles hit these shores, their engineering was totally different. The cars were designed to operate for about 5-7 years without any service needed. Things we replace and don't think anything of it, like shock absorbers, were not designed to be replaced on the early Japanese vehicles. The reason was because the cars were scrapped before these parts wore out. The Japanese would use high-quality, but non-maintainable parts on their vehicles. Another thing the early Japanese cars had problems with was rust and body integrity. The cars simply were not designed to be driven 200,000 miles, for 12 years, and old Japanese cars show it.
I had an old 1978 Honda Civic in 1992 when I was in school that my Father bought new. That poor car looked terrible with dead paint, rust all over it, and a sloppy, loose suspension. The little motor ran great though!
These days, most of the Japanese manufacturers have "Americanized" their vehicles, and designed them to last longer than 5 years or so, and have designed them to be repaired much more eaiser. Parts for Japanese cars are also much cheaper. Many Japanese automakers not only manufacture vehicles here, but they also have engineering and design departments here. It's not uncommon to see a 15 year old Accord or Camry that looks practically brand new, even though it may have 200 grand on the dial!
