September 9, 2020

1. Carpets

Carpets with antimicrobial and antiviral effects, and fully washable carpets Demand for hygienic home environments, influenced by Covid-19, is boosting sales of antimicrobial mats and fully washable rugs. Specific products include washable tile carpets from TOLI and Flotex from Sangetsu. The key features of Flotex are antimicrobial function and ease of maintenance.
http://toli-overseas.com/products/
https://www.sangetsu.co.jp/english/

Tile carpet is also a popular item. It’s easy to handle and provides a high level of freedom to easily remodel a room. The way the buyer can choose their own layout is part of the appeal.

Highly functional backing
At Cainz, Japan’s top home center, the popular carpets are those made of cotton, those that are washable, and those treated against microbes, odor, and dust mites. They emphasize functionality, with features such as backing that supports floor heating and hot carpets, and anti-slip backing. Products offerings are tailored to the seasons, so in this hot season there are more short-pile carpets.

Demand for imported carpets
Carpets with strong design features are popular. In Japan the custom is to remove shoes before entering homes. Carpets are touched directly with bare feet, so carpets with a soft and fluffy feel are favored. Vivid classic designs are popular, as are French-style designs with pale coloring. Square is the mainstream shape, but rugs that cover part of the floor are far more popular than carpet laid over the entire floor. The popularity of flooring materials is rising, boosted by ecological ideas.

October 28, 2020

2. Mining Products

Marble is extensively used for floors and counter tops, as well as in wet areas, like kitchens and bathrooms. Artificial marble, so close to the natural material, is the center of attention. Therefore, it is important to differentiate between natural and artificial marble types, and to explain their advantages of the natural material so that you may introduce your real marbles to Japanese market.

DIY home center says “to experience small and thin type of marble tiles may become a first step toward the use and demand of real marbles”.

Artificial marble sheet

Rock salt plates

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, growing numbers of people are going camping, which allows them to enjoy leisure while avoiding contact with people. The glamping population is growing. Rock salt plates are popular for barbecue cooking at camp sites. Rock salt plates are made of excavated rock salt, simply formed into plate shapes, and the ingredients are placed on the plates to cook. The infrared effect of the salt cooks meat to a juicy finish. There’s no need to worry about the ingredients getting scorched, and there’s the right amount of salty taste. It also has an insulative effect which makes it ideal as a plate for ingredients that were chilled. It’s interesting to have items like that made from Turkey and Himalayan rock salt plates are popular.

Rock Salt Plate