100,000 sewing machines were produced in 1938, and over 1,000,000 units in 1951. In recent years, however, overseas production of home sewing machines has been increasing, due to a shift in production base, and exports have been decreasing sharply, as imports overflow into the market. Most of the imports are produced by Japanese companies in China and by Taiwanies' manufacturers. On the other hand, exports of industrial sewing machines have still remained high, with importes in increasing steadily. The quantity and value of exports has been decreasing since 1931.
Domestic demands is approx.
1,000,000 units a year. Most home sewing machines are imported, as domestic production is low. It is said that some exported sewing machines are produced in China and other countries by Japanese manufacturers and then reimported to Japan, as well as exported to other countries. Meanwhile, domestically produced machines worth more than JPY100,000 are sold through sewing machine speciality stores and agencies. These are too complex for everyday consumers.