Since its founding in 1991, Hamaya Corp. has been contributing to resource sustainability by exporting used products through its resale business. With recent growth in its recycling operations, the company’s sales have reached ¥20 billion.
President Ippei Kobayashi shared his insights on the value of “Used in Japan” products overseas.
“Products sold in Japan boast high quality and durability because of the stringent quality standards set by the Japanese market, a fact highly appreciated by our clients overseas,” Kobayashi said.
Furthermore, Hamaya applies its own strict standards when purchasing used goods, carefully packing them for export so they are not damaged during transport. “We communicate closely with buyers to understand their needs in terms of product condition and quantity,” he said.
All products are shipped in the condition in which they were purchased, so repairs may be necessary by the importers. However, the fact that Japanese products are easy to repair and last for a long time with proper maintenance helps keep prices low while supporting local repair jobs.
Hamaya has branches in 17 cities in Japan, where about 9 million items a year are bought from individuals and organizations.
To date, Hamaya has traded with around 70 countries, shipping over 2,000 containers of used Japanese goods abroad each year.
Popularity varies by region and market.
“In the Middle East, gas appliances such as heaters and stoves, along with sewing machines, are popular. In Southeast Asia, we see strong sales of home appliances as well as furniture and bicycles. In Central and South America, consumers favor knitting machines and musical instruments, while European countries such as France, Britain and Germany prefer traditional handicrafts and antique furniture,” Kobayashi said.
“Our aim is to grow together with African countries, where the population is increasing and economic development is expected to continue. We will continue our efforts to build new business partnerships to deliver more used items to Africa,” he said.
Hamaya also extracts printed circuit boards from electronic devices collected from around the world to extract their rare metals using Japan’s advanced, environmentally friendly refining technology so they can be recycled into new resources.
“The used goods and recyclable resources we handle might have ended up as waste without our involvement. Discarding them is not only wasteful but also increases the environmental burden,” he said.
Kobayashi strongly believes that by finding new homes for items that have fulfilled their purpose in one place and using them to their fullest potential until the end of their lifespans, their value will multiply, benefiting a greater number of people.
For more information, visit https://en.hamaya-corp.co.jp/