"Beauty" may not be the first thing that pops into people's heads when they think about electronics, but struggling Japanese home electronics manufacturers see a great deal of promise in a range of beauty gadgets targeting women, from high-tech hair dryers to steam skin moisturizers.

Many makers are considering taking their products overseas as foreign competitors have yet to enter this category in a big way.

Indeed, a visit to a major electronics stores in Japan these days will reveal a lot of floor space prominently displaying beauty products.