LG Electronics will resume washing machine sales in Japan this spring, the Nikkei reported on the 20th after a 12-year hiatus.
After testing sales of high-priced washing machine models at around 500,000 yen (approximately 4.7 million won) from 2020 to 2022, LG Electronics concluded that there is demand in Japan for products with drying functions. In the future, LG Electronics is also planning to consider entering the Japanese large refrigerator market.
Currently, LG Electronics holds about 10% of the Japanese television market, but has not achieved significant results in the washing machine and refrigerator markets.
Alongside LG Electronics, the Chinese corporation Hisense is also expected to sell drum washing dryers and large refrigerators for the first time in Japan. The Nikkei noted, "As the brand recognition of foreign corporations rises in Japan, Japanese companies such as Panasonic are entering the high-priced appliance market where they hold advantages."