Air Conditioner Prices Rise and Installation Delays Worsen Ahead of Summer
- brg_news_room
- 1 hour ago
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JAPAN: With temperatures already exceeding 30°C in parts of Japan and peak summer still approaching, demand for air conditioners is rising sharply, marking a crucial sales period for the cooling industry. However, concerns over naphtha supply disruptions and a shrinking labour force are expected to increase costs for consumers purchasing new units, while installation waiting times may extend to as long as a month.
Supply concerns have intensified following disruptions to oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz since late February, raising fears over the availability of naphtha, a crude oil derivative widely used in manufacturing. Although the government led by Sanae Takaichi has stated that sufficient naphtha supplies have been secured into next year, concerns surrounding shortages of naphtha-based materials persist across industries. The construction sector is already experiencing difficulty sourcing plastic foam, while food manufacturers such as Calbee have reportedly shifted to monochrome packaging designs for some products to reduce ink consumption.
Source: The Japan Times
