Japan consumers wait months for washing machines, air conditioners

Appliance shortage drags on amid chip crunch, China lockdowns

20220531 Japan shop

Japanese retailers have been plagued by a shortage of major items. (Photo by Shuhei Yuzawa)

TAMAKI KYOZUKA, Nikkei staff writer

TOKYO -- Home appliances remain in short supply across Japan due to the global semiconductor crunch and supply chain disruptions tied to Beijing's zero-COVID policy, as companies that have resumed production at factories in China say it will take time to reach normal operations.

"Delivery delays began to emerge in May, and we have been telling customers that they will have to wait one to two months for delivery," said a sales staffer at an electronics retail shop in Tokyo.

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