January 2012

The Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association

Vol. 12-01

1. Chairman’s Speech at New Year’s Party
JRAIA gave its new year’s party on January 13, 2012 at Laforet Tokyo. Mr. Fujiwara, JRAIA
Chairman, delivered a speech, of which excerpt is as follows.
I wish you all a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.
Looking back on 2011, we encountered globallyconnected phenomena, such as the supply chain
disruptions due to the Great East Japan
Earthquake and the massive floods in Thailand,and the spread of the credit uncertainty in EU
stemming from Greece. Developed countries,
especially EU, have been trapped in economic
stagnation,

while

economies

ofemerging

countries like China, India and Brazil haverobustly been growing in spite of the deepening
linkage with the developed countries struggling for strong economy.
When we see our country, the declined economy after the earthquake is rapidly recovering andconsumer confidence is also improving, however, our business environment continues to be severely
affected by historically sharp appreciation of the yen and rising costs of raw materials, including rareearth. Despite these negative circumstances, shipments of room air conditioners exceeded the level ofthe previous year when the record sales had been achieved thanks to the summer heat. This is also
because the replacement by the latest model with high energy-efficiency was accelerated by risingawareness of energy-saving among consumers. In the meantime, car air conditioners and heat pumpwater heaters showed a downturn in sales.
For the global economy in 2012, low growth is predicted to continue in the developed countries.
However, the developing countries are expected to make an economic expansion backed by the strong
domestic demand. It is hoped in Japan that economic growth is boosted by reconstruction demand.
On the other hand, we need to watch carefully the movements in the energy policy review inconnection with nuclear power plants, since the energy policy has a significant impact on our1

HVAC&R products. In addition, the global environmental protection efforts will be furtherstrengthened. We, as the industry using refrigerants, have to be engaged in and contribute toactivities to protect the global environment.
With the above-mentioned in the background, we will mainly tackle the following three;(1) Environmental issues
Refrigerants leakage reduction and recovery of HFCs; study of next-generation refrigerants;
development of highly energy-efficient equipment.
(2) International activities
Participation in development of international standards; timely and appropriate actions in EU
through JRAIA Brussels office.
(3) Performance certification program
Extension of test range for package air-conditioners; introduction of certification program forgas engine-driven heat pumps; study of certification program for heat pump water heaters.
This year, the 37th HVAC&R 2012 will be held for four days from February 14 to 17 at Tokyo Big
Sight, showcasing the world-leading advanced technologies and latest eco-friendly products. As aside event, seminars will be given where government, academic and business activities are presented.
HVAC&R & EXPO will provide the best opportunity for both exhibiters and visitors to exchange
variable information on new products and technologies. ICARHMA (International Council of Air
Conditioning,Refrigeration,andHeating

Manufacturers’ Associations) will have its annual
meeting in Kyoto from October 23 to 25. Wecontinuously assert our position in the ICARMA
meeting. In addition, the International Symposium
onNewRefrigerants

andEnvironmental

Technology will be held on November 8 and 9 inKobe. We would like to draw the world’s attention
to our technologies during Kobe Symposium.
We would like to ask for your continuous support in the years to come.

2. Meeting with ASHRAE
Mr. Ronald Jarnagin, the president of ASHRAE, together with Mr. Thomas Watson, thepresident-elect, visited Japan and met representatives of Japanese associations and major
companies on February 1, 2012 at the facility of Daikin in Tottori, Japan.

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The two ASHRAE people were welcomed by Mr. Kishimoto, the president of JRAIA, who coordinatedthe meeting at the request of ASHRAE. Also present at the meeting were Dr. Kagawa of the Japan
Society of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers, Dr. Kato of the Society of Heating,
Air-Conditioning and Sanitary Engineers of Japan, and representatives of Hitachi, Panasonic,
Mitsubishi Electric, and Daikin. As a guest speaker, Mr. Sadatani of the Ministry of Economy, Tradeand Industry was invited to this meeting.
Main theme of discussion was refrigerant issues. Mr. Kishimoto presented key points of alternativerefrigerant issues and actions of JRAIA while Mr. Fujimoto of Daikin explained progress of A2L
refrigerant risk assessment in Japan. Mr. Jarnagin introduced the refrigerant management systemin the US. Mr. Sadatani presented a successful partnership project between public and private
sectors for alternative refrigerant issue. Finally, future partnership enhancement between the USand Japan was discussed. Under heavy snowfalls, hot discussion developed.

3. RAC and PAC Domestic Shipments

2011※RACPACUnits

Y on Y basis %UnitsY on Y basis %Jan

489,603

130.5

52,924

122.8

Feb486,745106.8

58,009127.2

Mar606,214

92.5

71,336119.1

Apr560,537

179.6

51,536122.2

May806,748140.6

65,333129.2

Jun

1,470,346

113.1

83,577124.8

Jul1,506,207

92.7

87,401109.0

Aug646,501

76.4

67,61595.5

Sep431,237

87.4

62,833101.4

Oct284,838

73.1

56,326104.5

Nov411,140

71.8

59,46099.9

Dec578,924

90.2

61,372

113.0

Total

8,279,040

100.4

777,722113.1

RAC: Residential Air-conditioners

PAC: Commercial Air-conditioners

Office: Kikai Shinko Bldg. 201. 3-5-8, Shibakoen, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0011, Japan
URL: http://www.jraia.or.jp

Contact: tajima@jraia.or.jp:kao224@jraia.or.jp

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