The Fukui Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the city of Fukui has been heeding consumer complaints with a view to developing their ideas into attractive products. Examples include umbrellas that repel more rainwater to protect clothing, eye glasses that shine in the dark for easy recognition and shoes with nonslip soles.
Chamber officials said many of the complaints they receive contain the seeds of good ideas that could be developed to meet consumer needs, and hope financing new products resulting from such complaints helps stimulate local industries.
Last October, the city held its "Complaint and Claim Resolution Exhibition" and displayed about 30 newly developed products, with the "Nurenza" (stay dry) umbrella that absorbs less water proving particularly popular.
Fukui Yougasa Co., a member of the chamber, had been struck by one complaint to the chamber that said, "I've had problems because of the water from a wet umbrella getting on my clothes."