Yeah, we're still scratchin' our noggins too, but even after we rubbed our eyes and adjusted the bifocals, it still looks as if the AP is reporting that Samsung will stop selling flat panel televisions and "other consumer products" in Japan. Hot on the heels of Hitachi
pulling the plug on RPTVs on this side of the pond, Samsung is citing "
poor profitability" as the reasoning behind its dramatic move, and it noted that LCD TVs, DVD players, DAPs and "other items" would no longer be sold to individuals in the Land of the Rising Sun. It was, however, stated that the outfit would continue selling flat screen computer monitors directly to businesses along with memory chips, LCDs and mobile phones to Softbank, but considering that last year less than one-percent of the firm's total sales in the country were made up of consumer electronics sales, we guess it's a little easier to wrap our head around the decision. Nevertheless, there's no reason for us to think that Sammy will be pulling back the reins in any other regions of the world, but it'll be quite strange in Tokyo with no signs of Sammy in the CE realm.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
EddieBrentwood @ Nov 9th 2007 9:35AM
I live in Tokyo and bought my Samsung LCD here. I had to buy it at Amazon Japan because Bic, Yodobashi etc didnt carry any. and this was a year ago
Galley @ Nov 9th 2007 10:35AM
That sucks! Both of my HDTVs are Sammies. I hope they continue to sell them in the States.
yoJIMbo @ Nov 9th 2007 12:15PM
Well considering the domestic market for such products and the Japanese superiority complex when it comes to electronics, it makes sense. A Japanese denshiya (electronics store) is a totally different beast over there than in the US.
SolidOni @ Nov 9th 2007 2:00PM
Why? I love my samsung!
Tatsuhiko Miyagawa @ Nov 9th 2007 2:40PM
I assume one of the big reason untold here is that it's really hard for non-Japanese businesses like Samsung to get the infamous B-CAS license, which is a DRM system required to watch Japanese OTA HDTV channels. It's a shame that Japanese TV/electric industry bans foreign businesses in an unfair way like this.
HDpurist @ Nov 9th 2007 7:10PM
Samsung produces low priced mediocre quality TVs and electronic equipment but the problem is that they are like LG - cheap and unreliable. People who spend $3000 or up on a FPD would go to Panasonic, SOny or Pioneer for high quality products, not Samsung. I've always liked Samsung products for their innovation and to-market delivery time but their design aesthetics and "looks" of their hardware/software look horribly tacky i.e. compared to very stylish/high quality Sony and Pioneer.
Nevertheless, this is unfortunate news for Samsung and the A/V industry.
James @ Nov 10th 2007 12:56AM
Umm, Samsung's TVs certainly look a hell of a lot nicer than Sony's as of late. The XBR4/5 are the only TVs that Sony makes that have even a shred of aesthetic appeal, and even then it's a bit tack with the plastic frame thing they have going on.
Runciter @ Nov 10th 2007 4:07PM
"Samsung produces low priced mediocre quality TVs and electronic equipment but the problem is that they are... cheap and unreliable."
Wow. Where have you been? Samsung is the leading producer of LCDs in the world and the same panels are in a lot of Sony's LCD sets via their (50+1) majority ownership joint venture with Sony in S-LCD Corp. I guess you must be living in the past where the Sony brand actually meant something but now they just live by selling the brand name.
Samsung isn't getting out the LCD business, just out of selling Samsung branded product IN Japan. This has to do with the extremely nationalistic nature of Asian countries. Foreign companies have very hard barriers to entry into Japan which makes it hard to compete in Japan.
GhostDoggy @ Nov 9th 2007 7:35PM
I guess the Japanese consumer would rather buy something with a Japanese company badge on it that is made in China that buying something from with a foreign company badge on it--even if it was to be made in Japan.
And do not be fooled into the hdpurest idea that you have to spend a lot of money to get anything of value. He thinks spending money (and a lot of it) on Chinese fabricated Sony products is the way to go. Hey, at least he can keep Sony head above the water.