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Japan's Green Home Appliances Program Receives 26 Million Applications from Individuals Nov 22, 2010 |
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Between July 1, 2009 and October 2010, Japan Green Appliances Program received 26.02 million "eco-points" applications from individuals and issued points on about 23.58 million of those applications.
The Program to Promote the Spread of Green Home Appliances by Utilizing Eco-Points is intended to promote global warming countermeasures, stimulate Japan's economy, and foster digital TV adoption. The program is being administered byJapan's Ministry of the Environment (MOE); Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI); and Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC).
The Secretariat for Green Home Appliance Eco-Points reported that
• 10.38% of the eco-points issued to individuals were for air-conditioners (4,229,361 units sold)
• 10.01% were for refrigerators (3,175,371 units)
• 79.61% were for TVs (16,172,828 units)
Eco-points earned by individuals may be exchanged for gift certificates and prepaid cards for travel, transportation, lodging, food/restaurants, and retail chains, and almost half of the eco-points awards were issued as credit card company gift certificates.
Corporations were also able to earn eco-points starting in August 2009. The Secretariat reported that 42,449 applications were submitted and points were issued on 33,974 of those applications. The Secretariat reported that:
• 4.59% of the eco-points issued to corporations were for air-conditioners (14,350 units sold)
• 2.71% were for refrigerators (11,078 units)
• 92.70% were for TVs (208,901 units)
Like individuals, almost half the corporation eco-point exchanges were awarded as credit card company gift certificates.