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Japan - Compact digital camera market may see slowdown and realignment Source: Jiji Press English News Service, 26 April 2008 The Japanese market for compact digital cameras, which scored record shipments in 2007, may be close to reaching saturation due to an anticipated pause in technological advances and competition from camera-enabled cellular phones. The easy-to-handle cameras suffered declines in shipments in 2004 and 2005 but enjoyed renewed popularity in the following two years as the additions of advanced functions including face detection technology spurred replacement demand. The market's limited growth potential may already be driving companies to shift focus away from digital cameras, noting that industry realignment may be in store. Olympus' recent acquisition of British medical equipment maker Gyrus Group PLC and camera maker Fujifilm Holdings Corp.'s takeover of drug maker Toyama Chemical Co. may be signaling realignment. China - Nearly 20 million color TV sets in 1st quarter Source: Xinhua Business Weekly, 28 April 2008 China's color TV production sector grew steadily with exports expanding rapidly and production cost increasing in the first quarter of 2008. Between January and March, 19.6 million color TV sets were produced nationwide, a growth of 0.1% on the same period of last year. Of the total, 45%, or 8.8 million sets, were exported, up 18.3%. The source said industrial restructuring was under way in the TV sector, with the share of traditional CRT (cathode ray tube) TV sets in the total output declining to 56.2% and that of flat panel TV sets increasing to 43.8%. The color TV sector's production cost has increased, due largely to expedited appreciation of Renminbi, enforcement of the new labor law, end of tax holidays for foreign-funded enterprises and readjustment of tax rebates for export. Taiwan - Motorola's tumbling sales hurt its contract suppliers Source: Taiwan Economic News, 28 April 2008 Motorola's recent tumbling share of the global market have made its Taiwanese contract suppliers, including Compal Communications Inc. and Chi Cheng Enterprise Co., Ltd., not likely to turn profitable in 2008. In the first quarter of 2008, Motorola shipped only 27.4 million mobile phones, sharply down 40% from 45.4 million units posted a year earlier. According to an analytic report released by the Market Intelligence Center (MIC), Taiwan's handset production volume is estimated at 20.7 million units in the second quarter of 2008, slightly up 6.1% from a quarter earlier and 8.7% from a year earlier. The production volume is projected to reach 25.1 million units in the third quarter, growing 20% from the second quarter.   View an example of our experience in this industry. Back to list of articles.  Visit our website to sign up for free intelligence on Asian markets.

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