The coming introduction of the appliance recycling law will put extra financial burdens both on consumers and manufacturers.
For secondhand shops, however, the new legislation will probably be a boost.
The Home Appliances Recycling Law, which takes effect April 1, obliges consumers and manufacturers to bear their share of the financial burden of having their appliances recycled.
Because secondhand shops tend to take in used home appliances for free or relatively small charges, more people will probably opt to have their used appliances resold through such shops, instead of putting them on a more costly recycling route.
Tange Nosaka, director for secondhand goods operations at Treasure Factory Co., said he expects a 10 percent to 20 percent increase in the volume of used products his firm handles at its five shops in Tokyo and Saitama Prefecture.
To cash in on the newly emerging business opportunities, some outsiders are also entering the market.
Last month, the am/pm Japan Co. convenience store chain, among the fastest to act, began accepting relatively new used appliances for a fee. Having those products repaired if necessary, it will begin selling or renting them in autumn.
Major home appliance retailer Yamada Denki Co. also entered the secondhand market in June.