Heat wave in Japan: sales of air conditioners on the increase

This July, Japan suffered a record-breaking heat wave; temperatures on July 20, 2004 reached up to 39.5°C, the hottest temperature ever recorded in Japan since records began in 1923! Due to this heat wave, sales of air conditioners and other seasonal products are soaring. For example, according to the Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Association, in July, sales of air conditioners have doubled compared with July 2003. An industry association stated that major Japanese retailers' sales rose 83.1% in July to 33.12 billion yen. Electric fans and refrigerator sales also rose by 59% to 2.26 billion yen and 28.3% to 15.59 billion yen, respectively.