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News Archive >> Japan's first CEDIA member
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On a recent trip to Japan Peter Greentree took the opportunity to meet the newest members of the CEDIA Australasian family - Mr Isaku Owada and Mr Akihiro Nishimoto of LINC. Isaku and Akihiro are based in Hiroshima and their company LINC shares the distinction of being CEDIA’s first members in Japan. (Photo insert -Peter presented them with a small token of our appreciation and welcome them into the CEDIA Australasian community). 
One of the advantages of being in the CEDIA community involves sharing information. Peter, Isaku and Akihiro had time to discuss the custom installation industry in depth and shared stories about their experiences in the field. Whilst Australia and Japan might have completely different installation situations (like physical space & energy considerations) it was evident that educating installers and communicating the benefits of the fourth trade to consumers were common considerations.
Away from Hiroshima, Peter caught up with Ms Momoko Sano, External Relations of Lutron Asuka Co LTD who is based in Tokyo. Once again both parties were interested to compare notes on each others markets. Momoko was somewhat surprised to learn that in Australia Custom Installer/Suppliers do the system design whereas in Japan they not only do the system design they also sell the end product to the user which as we know can be very time consuming and resource dependant. Mimoko learned that in Australia distributors depended on the CEDIA Expo in the Gold Coast each year to showcase their products. She was also impressed with the new CEDIA Education facility in Sydney that is fast becoming the perfect vehicle to educate Specialist Installers in the correct methods of design & sales. Peter was quick to point out that both the CEDIA Expo and the CEDIA Education facility were open to our members in Japan.
Peter on the other hand learned that it is still early days in terms of CEDIA’s profile and that it will take a little bit of teamwork and time for CEDIA to establish its international credentials in the Japanese market. Peter also learned that in Japan there are no restrictions in relation to the supply of product. High or lower end products are unconditionally available to all including the major retailers; along with this are the expectations of massive discounts. One of the major downsides to this is that for the un-educated consumer it creates problems - they firstly have to work out how to get their new products home and then properly install them. This does not even take into account that they have actually purchased the right piece of equipment.
Overall the Japan trip was a success with newfound partners and friends. On behalf of CEDIA Australasia Peter would like to thank Isaku, Akahira and Momoko for their time and hospitality and for sharing their insights and experience. We look forward to welcoming more Japanese members in the future. We would also like to state that CEDIA Australasia is determined and committed to helping establish the same benchmarks of quality, education and service for all Custom Installers and Suppliers in Japan. For more information please visit cedia.com.jp
Contacts. www.linc.in
www.lutron.com/japan
Date
Wednesday 20 Jun 2007
