TOKYO —

Supermarket chain Daiei Inc will offer discounts on products mainly imported from the United States in order to return expected profits from the yen’s strength to customers.

Daiei will offer the discounts Saturday and Sunday at eight outlets in the Tokyo region and April 10-13 at all outlets across Japan. The company will offer discounts of 20-30% on about 30 products, including meat, grapefruits, oranges, tomatoes and wine. Among other Japanese retailers, Seven & I Holdings Co and Aeon Co offered similar discounts.

JCN

1 Comments

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  thepossum at 12:13 AM JST - 2nd April

  Question: Is this really news ?

  Answer: Yer darn tootin' it is !

  Though its only 4 sentences in length, this article speaks volumes as to what Japan's position on market access is. First, the need to announce that "American" products will now be on sale. Like this is some major event or something. Begs the question... why has it taken this long to gain market access ?

  Next, notice the time limit on the sale.　A mere 6 days to take advantage of a sale, that will undoubtedly end up with everything being sold out ! And when shop owners will be asked if they will import more American food items... they will say "no". Just like they did in the past. Again, upon being reminded that "all the product" sold out... they will still say "no". Later down the road, when all is forgotten, the market whiz kids in Japan will once again spread the news that the reason American products aren't sold in Japanese stores is because their is "no demand !"

  Mark my words... this will happen. It's a damn shame that in this day and age, when Japanese auto makers have unlimited access to the US markets... that we still get these whimpy little 6 day sales to enjoy cheaper and more superious products from the USA. When will the American politicians wake up and put a stop to this one way street of doing business with the Japanese. Lets hope Obama comes out for "managed trade" with Japan.

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