OSAKA -- Sharp aims for cumulative sales of 3 million internet-enabled appliances in Japan by fiscal 2019, up from only about 30,000 as of last fiscal year -- an ambitious goal that will see it introduce new air conditioners, refrigerators and other models.
The appliance business shouldn't "end when you buy the hardware," Executive Managing Officer Masahiro Okitsu told reporters Monday. "Going forward, products whose hardware continues to grow after the purchase will catch on."