The Dynamic Landscape of the Home Appliance Industry and the Rise of the “Third Pole”
Japanese major home appliance manufacturers, once global leaders supported by the “Three Sacred Treasures” during Japan’s period of high economic growth, have undergone significant restructuring due to digitalization, globalization, and the emergence of overseas companies, particularly from China and Korea. The industry map has drastically changed, with Panasonic shifting to B2B, Sony transforming into a content and entertainment company, and some home appliance divisions being acquired by foreign entities.
Conversely, new trends have emerged, such as the birth of “generic appliance” manufacturers through fabless production and the entry of retail and distribution companies like Don Quijote and Nitori. Moreover, “third pole” manufacturers, such as Balmuda, which prioritize design and “experience” over mere functionality, have seen significant growth. Amidst the saturation of functions and commoditization, the shift from昭和-era “monozukuri” (manufacturing focused on high and multiple functions) to “kotozukuri” (creating value that appeals to consumers’ lifestyles and sensibilities) is highlighted as a key to survival.
The Future of “Smart Appliances” Driven by AI and Robotics
Modern home appliances are transforming from simple electrical products into intelligent robots. Robot vacuum cleaners utilize AI for image recognition to avoid obstacles, and air conditioners sense indoor conditions to create optimal environments. Automatic cooking pots, exemplified by Sharp’s “Healsio Hot Cook,” have enabled “time-shifting” for the analog task of cooking.
This book also explores the current state and future of smart homes, which are created when appliances connect to networks. It delves into the evolution of voice assistants led by Amazon and Google, the simplification of device integration through the common standard “Matter,” and the convergence with “smart houses” that manage household energy. The book anticipates how humans and appliances will collaborate to further enrich our daily lives.
Ideal Readers for This Book
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Business professionals working in home appliance manufacturing or retail industries.
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Individuals interested in the latest marketing and sales strategies in manufacturing.
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Those curious about the history of home appliances and trends in modern technology (AI, smart homes, etc.).
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Individuals involved in new business development or product planning.
Book Structure
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Chapter 1: The History of Home Appliances, Learning from the Three Sacred Treasures
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Chapter 2: The World of Home Appliance Manufacturers, Learning from the Third Pole
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Chapter 3: The World of Home Appliance Marketing, Learning from Experiments
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Chapter 4: The World of Home Appliance Sales, Learning from the Designated Price System
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Chapter 5: The World of Lifestyle Appliances, Learning from Refrigerants
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Chapter 6: The World of Cooking Appliances, Learning from Auto Cookers
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Chapter 7: The World of AV and Information Appliances, Learning from Analog
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Chapter 8: The World of Beauty and Health Appliances, Learning from Personalization Features
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Chapter 9: The Future of Home Appliances, Seen Through Smart Appliances
About the Author
Yasushi Anzo is an IT and home appliance journalist. He is certified as a Home Appliance Product Advisor (Platinum Grade) and Smart Master by the Home Appliance Products Association, and serves as an AllAbout Digital/Home Appliance Guide. After working for a business and IT publisher, he became freelance, writing articles related to digital and lifestyle appliances, and appearing as a home appliance specialist on numerous media outlets including TV, radio, newspapers, and magazines. He also contributes to product research and composition for home appliance introduction segments on radio programs.
Book Information
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Title: Home Appliance Business
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Author: Yasushi Anzo
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Price: 1,848 JPY (1,680 JPY + tax)
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Format: Four-six size / 256 pages
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ISBN: 978-4-295-41213-7
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Publisher: Cross Media Publishing Co., Ltd.
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Release Date: May 29, 2026
