overcast
Camping is popular and sales of similar products have risen in recent months in Japan as others looking to swoon with friends and a circle of relatives amid the pandemic are turning to outdoor recreation.
A weekend before this month, a camp with about 40 tents in Odawara, Kanagawa Prefecture, was occupied by campers of all ages.
“We can avoid the threat of being inflamed by the virus in such a giant and open place even though we got here as a group,” said a 22-year-old boy who set up a tent with friends.
Sales of recreational parts increased following the government’s state-of-emergency declaration in April, an official from a manufacturer of camping products said.
“Our monthly sales have increased by 10-35% compared to the previous year since May,” said Yosuke Takanami, general manager of the gear progression department at Captain Stag Co.
Takanami said Dutch barbecues and ovens sold well in May and June, according to the government’s request to stay home. While the state of emergency across the country rose completely in late May, the government asked others to sing in choir so as not to cross the borders of the prefectures. until the end of June.
Demand for folding chairs and tables has also been strong just for home recreational activities, but also for telecommuting, industry officials said.
Another successful product is the individual tent, those stores were gaining popularity even before the coronavirus outbreak, Takanami said.
“You can reduce the threat of infection by sleeping in a tent, even if you’re camping as a group,” he added.
Visitors to the camps increased, particularly once travel restrictions were lifted, Tokyo raised its own virus alert and asked its citizens to sing in chorus of non-essential trips to other prefectures in mid-July, industry officials said.
“Camping bookings increased by up to 30-40% in July and August until last year after a sharp 80% drop in April and May,” said Atsuya Tanaka, director of Spacekey Inc. , which operates the Nap online booking service lots of campsites in Japan.
“Reservations for others living in Tokyo have fallen by 30 to 40% compared to last year,” while the capital has noticed an increase in viral infections, but those of the citizens of Kanagawa and Osaka, the two most populous prefectures after Tokyo, have doubled and increased by about 30%, respectively, Tanaka said.
Shimano Inc. es another company that is benefiting from the rise of activities. Global demand for bicycle parts and fishing gear is growing, the company said.
The Osaka-based company said it expects a 13% increase in net profit in its current fiscal year ending in December.
“Sales of our motorcycle portions in Europe and North America have been solid thanks to the growing number of new motorcycle buyers, as other people cycle near the house for a break instead of taking a summer vacation abroad,” said one Shimano official.
Since the early stages of the COVID-19 crisis, the Japan Times has provided free access to very important data on the effect of the new coronavirus, as well as practical data on how to deal with the pandemic. today so that we can continue to provide you with up-to-date and detailed data on Japan.
The Japan Times LTD. All rights are reserved.