Dentsu announces '2013 Hit Products in Japan'

Advertising giant Dentsu Inc on Wednesday released its “2013 Hit Products in Japan” report. Produced as part of a series that has been chronicling hit products since 1985, the latest report examines major trends that represented the consumer mindset in 2013. It is based on an Internet survey of Japanese consumers carried out in November 2013 by Dentsu Macromill Inc.

The report states that 2013 was a year in which “reality exceeded expectations.” It began with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s “Abenomics” policies to stimulate the Japanese economy, and the rise in Japanese stock prices attracted worldwide attention. In June, Mount Fuji was named a UNESCO World Heritage site, and in September, Tokyo won the bid to host the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The latter two appear in the 2013 Current Events/Signs of the Times rankings.

The following top 20 products and current events/signs of the times were selected from around 100 popular items and services by 1,000 Internet survey respondents aged between 20 and 69. The total scores in three categories -- “recognition,” “degree of interest” and “topicality/buzz” -- were calculated to determine the top products of 2013. The figures in parentheses are last year’s rankings. Previously unranked products are indicated with (–).

Some of the top-ranking products are items that have been consistently popular over the last few years and have evolved further; others appeal to a wide age range and across geographical regions. Vehicle collision prevention systems and 3D printers are not just a transient boom; they are products which offer development potential. Easy-to-use items that provide authentic quality such as convenience store coffee and packaged instant fresh noodles also ranked high this year.

2013 Hit Products

No. 1: Tokyo Skytree (2) No. 2: Hybrid cars (–) No. 3: Smartphones (1) No. 4: Robot cleaners (4) No. 5: Vehicle collision prevention systems (–) No. 6: Theme park anniversary events (–) No. 7: Convenience store freshly brewed coffee (–) No. 8: Air fryers (low-fat or non-oil fryers, referred to as “nonfryers” in Japan) (–) No. 9: Electric automobiles (–) No. 10: Local mascot characters (7) No. 11: Packaged instant fresh noodles (17) No. 12: 3D printers (–) No. 13: Free voice call apps (such as LINE) (23) No. 14: Low-cost carriers (10) No. 15: Salted rice malt (5) No. 16: Compact cars/K-cars (engine displacement up to 660 cc)(19) No. 17: Convenience store and supermarket premium private label brands (–) No. 18: Tekken’s (Japanese standup comedian) flip book animation (–) No. 19: Tokyo Station (14) No. 20: FOSHU (Food for Specified Health Uses)-approved beverages (28)

2013 Current Events/Signs of the Times

No. 1: The Japan Series champions Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles (Japanese pro baseball team) and their outstanding starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka who led them to victory No. 2: Registration of Mount Fuji as a UNESCO World Heritage site No. 3: Tokyo’s bid for the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games No. 4: "Hanzawa Naoki" (2013 Japanese television series following the story of a banker named Naoki Hanzawa; the show had consistently high ratings) No. 5: "Ama-chan" (2013 Japanese television morning drama series about a high-school girl who became a shellfish diver) No. 6: Ceremonial rebuilding of the Ise Grand Shrine and Izumo Grand Shrine No. 7: Southern All Stars (Japanese rock band) comeback live tour No. 8: Baseball legends Shigeo Nagashima and Hideki Matsui presented with the People's Honor Award No. 9: "The Wind Rises" (2013 Japanese animated historical fantasy film written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki) No. 10: Kyary Pamyu Pamyu (popular Japanese model, singer and fashion blogger)

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