Brisk Demand for RACs Continues Toward Winter

Thanks to intense heat waves in July and August and subsequent high temperatures in late summer, the Japanese room air conditioner (RAC) market showed a brisk sales trend in the first half of fiscal 2013 (end March 31, 2014). Sales are expected to remain firm in the second half of 2013 as well, since electricity rates are set to rise and a rush in demand is expected prior to the consumption tax increase next April.