The Japanese government announced their budget for 2014 on December 22, 2013 of 95.88 trillion Japanese yen (US $920 billion), a new record high. The budget is mainly for increasing support in social welfare, national defense, and public buildings. The Japanese government increased tax fund and reduced bonds in order to reach their target of halving the current financial deficient of around 50 trillion Japanese yen. Lighting projects and infrastructures related to the 2020 Olympics are currently the more long term goals of the government. Some related construction has already officially started. The government plans to introduce LED lighting and OLED lighting into these projects in order to attract international attention. LEDinside was able to interview manufactures who are focused on developing the outdoor and indoor lighting market at Lighting Japan 2014 last week to find out what products are involved in the development trends in the Japanese lighting market in 2014.

Japanese LED lighting manufacturers are actively expanding LED industrial and indoor/outdoor lighting in response to policy advantages. Japan Seiwa Electric Corp. is mainly developing industrial lighting and street lighting. Anti-explosion lamps are the main focus for industrial lighting. Street light products benefited from government policy promotion. Major prefectures and cities received the promotion included Osaka’s street light installation project. At the same time, Seiwa continues to develop thinner appliances as well as manufacture in-house various power supply products. Future product developments include water resistant demands, non-thermal environmental lighting, visible light communication system, and customized wavelength.

GE also showcased industrial lighting and street light products, strengthening their presence in the Japanese lighting market.