The extremely hot weather that has covered Japan since late July has had a multiplying effect on the country's economy. Though it isn't going to solve all the government's fiscal problems, the heat has temporarily revitalized some retail and service sectors and, in turn, driven up related stock prices.
Some are obvious. Makers of air conditioners, particularly Fujitsu General and Daikin, have seen their share prices rise markedly in recent weeks. Meiji Holdings' stock has increased by 20 percent since the middle of June thanks mainly to their ice cream division. Other makers of cold treats, like Ezaki Glico and Morinaga, are also enjoying high stock prices. Beverage makers can always look forward to good sales in summer, but this year in particular breweries are having their best season in 2 years. Shares for convenience stores have also risen steadily since the middle of July, based on strong retail sales as a result of the hot weather.
Another sector that's benefited is Internet retailers. Yumenomachi Sozo Iinkai, a web supermarket, posted record high stock prices on Aug. 8 because of its special delivery system. People just don't want to go outside in this heat, so they even order their groceries online and have them delivered. The nation's biggest supermarket chain, Aeon, has said in terms of volume, deliveries have increased by 50 percent since the hot weather started. Even Tsutaya, Japan's main rental video service, has seen its deliveries of DVDs double over last year's.