China's piano market hits the right note for Yamaha

Japanese company sees sales surge as parents push for music education

As disposable income increases in China, more families are splurging on big-ticket items like pianos, which are becoming status symbols while also contributing to a child's education. (Photo courtesy of Yamaha)

TAKAYUKI TANAKA, Nikkei staff writer

November 14, 2019 23:45 JST

TOKYO -- Yamaha, a major manufacturer of pianos, now sells more of the instruments in China than in its home market of Japan.

This reflects both China's size and its growing enthusiasm for children's music education. Yamaha's instrument business in China, led by pianos, more than tripled over the decade ended in March. The country now accounts for 17% of Yamaha's total instrument sales, up from just 5% 10 years ago.