The International Tokyo Toy Show kicked off Thursday at Tokyo Big Sight, highlighting the latest trends in Japan's toy industry, including the growing popularity of cooking toys and products for the future, particularly environmentally friendly gadgets.
Although many industries have struggled in the global recession since last year, the domestic toy industry suffered only a 1.2 percent drop in market size in fiscal 2008.
Despite various problems, including the recession as well as the low birthrate and safety issues involving toys, the industry is doing pretty well, said Takeo Takasu, chairman of Namco Bandai Holdings Inc. and the Japan Toy Association.